Crawford International Sandton learner shines at the equestrian competition.
A local school learner based in Sandton speaks more about her journey as a horse lover and rider.
Watching her big sisters ride horses kicked off an equestrian love and passion in Aqua Indiana Douglas Pedersen’s life.
The 14-year-old Crawford International Sandton learner has been riding horses since she was two.
“I grew up watching my older sisters ride, and I always loved horses, so when my mom put me on a horse when I was two, I never looked back since then.”
Aqua recently made her parents and school proud when she participated in Qualifier 3 of Sanesa Eventing at Inanda Country Base, where she came first in dressage, jumping, and cross-country.
“My horse Saratoga Beautiful Day loves the cross-country part as she loves jumping all the rustic jumps and running through water, and winning the last eventing show made me very happy.”
She added the highlight of her equestrian journey was the day she got her horse, Bee, and her passion for the sport keeps her and Bee going and working hard to be one day the best in the world.
“Riding is rewarding, teaches you to never take anything for granted, and helps one understand that hard work and dedication pay off in the end. Riding has given me the ability to fly without wings and face my fears while putting all my faith and trust in an animal that is three times the size of me and doesn’t speak my language.”
Aqua said she had faced challenges in her journey, as she once rode stubborn ponies and horses, broke her arm, was battered, bruised, and left in the dust, but after all that, she never lost hope and love for the sport.
“Bee and I competed in a big, graded show called Easter Fest for the first time. Trust, love, and hard work made us come first in the Junior 90cm jumping.”
She concluded that her love of horses would lead her to study to become a horse physiotherapist.
Related Article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/329887/crawford-international-queens-rule-the-boards/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/330753/launch-of-sports-and-entertainment-joint-venture/
