The South African Lipizzaners, based in Kyalami, share some of the highlights from this year’s student programme.
The course runs from February to November each year and is aligned with the South African Equestrian Federation instructors plan.
Current rider Jhan-Marie van den Berg explained, “Students learn horsemanship skills like bandaging and tacking up, they receive seat improvement lessons on lunge as well as group and individual lessons. They learn how to lunge both schooled and inexperienced horses and towards the end of their student programme, they have the opportunity to ride in the performance.”
Volunteer for the Lipizzaners, Gina Boxley, said, “They have grown from strength to strength and have endured many emotions, hardships and experiences of a lifetime. They have also learnt to work as a team, all from different backgrounds, yet, riding the Lipizzaners have brought them all together as one amazing performing unit.”
Student rider Naairah Motala said she has wanted to join the Lipizzaners since 2016. “I certainly have memories to last a lifetime! I have made wonderful memories with my fellow students.
“The programme is the perfect balance between theory and practical training. We have been covering the Lipizzaner and Eqasa (Equestirian Qualifications Authority of Southern Africa) syllabus and have been taking practical exams every day such as the correct way of bandaging and lunging.”
Another student rider, Carlie-Anne Millar said, “The student programme has been one of the best decisions of my life. I was so excited to find out I was chosen to be a part of the 2020 team. I know 2020 has not been the best year for many people, however, it has opened wonderful doors for me.”
Millar said that through the programme she has learned the importance of communication and teamwork. “There is a lot of sweating and hard work that has brought out a strength in me that I did not realise I had, perseverance. By being a student here for eight months, I have gained life experience, practical knowledge of horses, better people skills, and a growth in my riding.”
Able Mokwateng, also a student rider in the programme said, ” I applied for the programme because I wanted to learn about the Lipizzaners and horses, we learnt a lot here during the year, about the horses and how to care for them. We also learnt the routines and now perform them in our Sunday Classic performances. I am so proud to be able to ride these amazing horses.”
