Kyalami Equestrian Park yet again to host the greatest showjumping extravaganza, SA Derby

The South African (SA) Derby is set to showcase the best in equestrian sport –especially dressage and showjumping – at Kyalami Equestrian Park from 2 to 6 October this year. 

With 35 confirmed sponsors on board, the SA Derby will be colourful, fresh, thrilling and everyone’s annual equestrian highlight.

According to Kyalami Park Club chairman and seasoned showjumper Anne-Marie Esslinger, “Grandstands A, B and C will be sold at 70 per cent capacity to ensure the comfortable spacing and grandstands D, E and F at 90 per cent capacity. Entertainment wise, we’ll have plenty on offer including the ever-popular pipe band on Sunday. The SA Micro Derby will be on Saturday (5 October) and the 1.40 Mini Derby on Sunday morning pre the main Derby.”

Listen to a voice note from Team Nissan showjumper Barry Taylor who shares his ambitions for this year’s derby with Caroline Malan of the PR Machine.

Esslinger added that the Mini Derby is the most spectacular and exciting spectator showjumping event of the year, with a 1 000m, 23 effort jumping competition over traditional natural type obstacles.

The Derby has the same course every year, the oldest Derby dates back to the 1920s in Hamburg, Germany and Esslinger said that track remains the same every year, “This year, our Derby will be as splendid as ever, that I can promise you!”

Last year’s derby winner Kelly O’Connor said her win on Hera van de Bien was what every rider dreams of, “We had our fitness at peak and our training had gone smoothly. I recall though, waking up in a sweat on Derby morning needing to practice the starjump one more time. Hera had decided she wanted to win Derby and I’m grateful she took me along for the ride.”

Details: Tickets available on www.TicketGenie.co.za starting from R300.

Related articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/198359/this-years-sa-derby-at-kyalami-park-club-should-be-better-than-ever/

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/185210/nicola-sime-riley-wins-2017-sa-derby/