Ten-year-old Christiaan Prinsloo and his faithful pony, Kondos Andraki II, overcame horses and adult riders from across the country to win the Appaloosa Gelding National Championships.
The championships, held in Parys from 18 to 21 October, judges the movement and conformation of Appaloosa horses, which are often called the “spotted horses” because of the colourful spots on their bodies. Christiaan and Kondos Adraki’s synergy won them numerous events over the three days, ranging from ‘Senior Appaloosa Gelding’ to ‘Champion Child’s Pony’, ‘Best Child Handler’, ‘Best Turned-Out Pony’ and ‘Best Show Hunter Pony’.
Christiaan, who is currently a Grade 4 learner at Curro Krugersdorp Primary School, has trained Kondos Andraki II ever since Christiaan was only seven years old. The special bond that he and Kondos Andraki II have built up over the three years was evident in how well the two worked in perfect harmony.
According to his trainer, Tasmin Maher from Glover Paddocks Equestrian Park in Honeydew, the outstanding results are a product of years of hard work and determination. “The awards that Christiaan and Kondos Andraki II received are all the culmination of hard work from rider, pony and his groom, Maxwell Hunga,” Tasmin pointed out.
The pair won eight different events and eventually went on to win the Supreme Appaloosa Gelding Championship, the perfect finale. As Christiaan is getting older and bigger, he will now turn his focus and attention to his new, larger pony, Desert Spirit, while Kondos Andraki II will return home to Glover Paddocks and enjoy a well-earned break.
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