Kyle crowned South African champion
Former Northwood School pupil wins national champs.
DURBAN North resident, and former Northwood School pupil, Kyle Trollip, was recently crowned South African Champion for the Mounted Games. This after a gruelling three day competition against qualifying riders from around the country. Points were accumulated over three sessions against all the different riders to qualify for the A final on the last day.
The 19-year-old and his horse, Hollywood Rose, were victorious by a convincing 28 points.
“I’m ecstatic and a little relieved. It’s means so much to me, I’ve been working towards this for five years and I’ve finished second for the past two years, so to be able to pull of a win is just fantastic. I’m very proud of my efforts. There was a lot of pressure before the competition as I was practicing with some of my competition. It did however provide me an opportunity to suss out the competition,” he enthused.
The Mounted Games is a discipline of speed and agility, where the horse and rider combines accuracy with speed. Kyle first represented South Africa in this discipline at the age of 13 and he also represented the country in France last year in the World Teams Competition. He was also an instructor at Mt Edgecombe stables last year, while writing matric, and is now teaching at the Newmarket Stables.
He has now been chosen to represent the SA team at the World Mounted Team Games in Ireland later this year.
“I’m looking forward to the competition. I think South Africa stands a really good chance and our team has a good blend of experience and youth. The best we’ve ever finished is 13th and I’m confident we are going to finish in the top 10, if not better,” he enthused.
