Showjumping to victory
CHARTWELL- Nambian born and showjumping extraordinaire Lorette Taylor won the showjumping Nissan World Cup Qualifier on 16 November.
Galloping Grandpa, Taylor’s horse, dominated in Port Elizabeth despite miserable conditions.
Taylor at home juggles a successful career as a showjumper, being a mother to her 10-year-old daughter, a business owner and wife to fellow showjumper, Barry.
Currently Taylor is ranked in the top five best showjumpers in the country. Winning the qualifier has meant she has secured her place as one of the most talented riders in the country. Additionally, she is sponsored by Nissan, who have helped her advance in her career.
“I train and ride at least five hours a day with six different horses,” said Taylor. She also teaches other showjumpers.
She explained that her tenacity and determination when competing comes from a passion which she has had from a young age, “When I was younger, all I wanted to do was be like my idol Gonda Beatrix; she has motivated me to be the rider I am today.”
She went on to say the sport has enabled her to travel and experience so many life experiences. She reminisced how her trip to Doha opened up her eyes to different cultures and people. “I am living my dream right now, it is amazing,” she added.
She and her husband currently run a 70-horse stable in Chartwell. The Taylors live and breathe horses. They have a fully fledged business on their property employing about 20 workers.
Taylor stressed that the successes of her career is very much a team effort. I cannot take all the credit; here at the stables we are very much a family unit and we all encourage each other to do well in anything we do.
Taylor intends to represent South Africa in the international arena in the near future.
