Hammond siblings achieve success

POLOKWANE – It is not often that a brother and a sister are both announced top students in their specific fields.

Ashlee Hammond and her brother, Dustin, both grew up in Polokwane where their younger sister and parents still live.

Their mother, Louise, homeschooled them and thereafter they spread their wings.

Although they both furthered their educations in KwaZulu-Natal, they attended different institutions.

Ashlee went to the Summerhill School of Equine Excellence where she was named top student of the year, while Dustin went to the 1 000 Hills Chef School. He was named chef of the year, received the principal’s award for being the best student and an excellence award at the end of last year.

Because Ashlee had a love for horses, it made sense for her to attend Summerhill School of Equine Excellence where she helped to raise horses while she studied them.

“The school is also one of the top stud management facilities in the country. We learned how to look after the horses from the moment they are foaled. We also learned to train them,” Ashlee explained.

Ashlee will be working with horses in the UK after receiving a scholarship to do so. “It will be a more intense course than last year and we will learn more about breeding.”

Louise said Ashlee was always in love with horses. “One night we sat watching television when we saw an insert about Summerhill and Ashlee said that was where she wanted to go,” Louise said.

After time in the UK, she wants to go back to Summerhill School of Equine Excellence for six months and then she plans to go to Australia and Japan.

“Horses are my passion. I was born with this passion. You could say I am horse-crazy,” Ashlee told Review.

“My dad wanted to be a cowboy, so this horse thing must be in my blood.”

Dustin’s passion involved food and baking. He said he dreams of being famous for his baking skills one day.

“There were 25 students at the 1 000 Hills Chef School. I always tried my best and tried to be different and not the same as any of the others,” he said.

This year he plans to further his studies to become an advanced pastry chef.

“My dream is to open a café that offers beautiful cakes and breads. However, that will have to wait a few years. After chef school, I want to work in a restaurant for three to five years. In 10 years’ time, I would like to own my own restaurant,” he said.

He said that, before he started his studies, he spent time at Bolivia Lodge to find out more about the industry.

“Bolivia Lodge gave me the opportunity to work in all their kitchens. This was where I belonged. This was my place.”

“I’d like to focus on my studies and career goals for now. After I reach them, I will think about a girlfriend. She will have to be someone who fits into my life and my passion for the kitchen,” he concluded.

Louise said she was very proud of both her children.