Cross-country action for a worthy cause
JOBURG - Staging the ultimate challenge of horsemanship, this year’s Polo International Horse Trials, hosted by Polo South Africa and presented by DStv Premium, received a record number of 190 entries from as far afield as the United Kingdom, France, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The event, which took place at Waterfall Polo Estate, has become a much-anticipated attraction on the equestrian calendar. This year’s highlights included the Pink Pony Walkathon for Cansa; the cross-country course which was designed and curated by Hong Kong Olympics course builder, David Evans; the Polo designer handbag jump; the new Tshukudu Waterhole; and the Working with Wood show.
Riders walked away with prizes in excess of R250 000, making this year’s stakes in the competition very high. Gauteng riders secured first and second places with 21-year-old, Katie Keller winning the 2015 Polo International Horse Trials Federation Equestrian International (FEI) CIC 1* title on her South African thoroughbred gelding, Kankowski.
Claire Martin was a close second on a thoroughbred gelding, Mark in Time. The Africa Shield Title was won by South Africa followed by Zambia and Zimbabwe. The FEI 1* Africa Cup competition was secured by South Africa with Zimbabwe in second place.
