Alison vaults to success

IF Mt Edgecombe’s Alison Inggs could have her own motivational poster, it would undoubtedly say, Keep Calm and Ride Horses. The 14-year-old recently realised one of her dreams after being awarded her SA Showjumping colours. She also got her first taste of international competition at the Inter-Africa Team competition.

The Danville Park Girls’ High School Grade 9 pupil riding Medicine Man was part of the SA Young Riders Team that took on Zimbabwe, Namibia, Swaziland and the SA Adults Team.

Not phased by the much more experienced competitors, Alison and her Young Riders team went on to win the Inter-Africa competition and were the only team to go through two rounds carrying zero penalties.

“It was just amazing. I was so excited to get my SA colours, it was a very proud moment for me and my family. The competition win was the cherry on the top,” the equestrian queen Alison smiled.

“It’s not every day you get to ride in the Bob Charter arena at Kyalami Equestrian Park and even rarer you get to ride there for your country. The competition was certainly an eye opener, exciting and I feel I was able to gain great experience from it.”

Alison was also recently awarded the KZN Pony Rider Showjumper of the Year Award for 2013 for her success on her pony, Ruby Diva, and also won the 1.10m Young Riders Welcome Class on Medicine Man at the Nissan Easter Festival.

She added a key aspect of the sport was having a good relationship with your horse. “The stamina and speed of your horse is tested over the course of jumps but it’s the relationship between horse and rider of total trust that brings success,” she said.

Her equestrian safari continues later this year as Alison prepares for the SA Children’s Champs and the SA Young Riders Champs in Gauteng.