Anya Brink (12) has been reining in medals in equestrian sports this year and does not look like she will stop soon.
Brink, who attends Laerskool Louw Geldenhuys, competes for Gauteng West in regionals, but individually she earned first and second place finishes at a graded show at Fourways Riding Centre recently, and placed in the top three in several South African National Equestrian Schools Association (Sanesa) competitions in show jumping and Prix Caprilli this year.
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Preparing for Sanesa Nationals at Kyalami Park from 5 to 7 October, the Glover Paddocks rider said she rode for the joy of it, not the medals. For her, every day is a new adventure with her thoroughbred/boerperd/Arabian mix, Kashan.
“I love show jumping and working hunting. When I jump I feel like I am flying,” she smiled.
Kashan shares Brink’s work ethic and love for jumping.
“I guess the only thing I don’t like about riding horses is when the horse does not listen to you. Thankfully, Kashan wants to do more than other horses, and listens to me.”
She retold stories of how Kashan sometimes horses around.
“He often lies on his side for hours and we think he has died. When we check on him he finally gets up. Sometimes I will be riding him and he will start eating hay and sharing his hay with other horses.”
Brink’s trainer for three years, Tasmin Maher described her as a dedicated rider and one to look out for in the future.
“Anya’s strength is she is ambitious and sets high goals for herself. She is dedicated enough to reach them,” Maher said.
