Giddy-up, Zalala’s riders are in the arena

Zalala Equestrian Centre riders can hear the nationals galloping through the front door.

The nationals will be hosted in October and Zalala’s riders showed what is in them this past weekend during the fourth Sanesa Qualifier.

“It was the last qualifier for the year,” said Danéll van Rooyen, instructor and trainer from Zalala.

The riders that galloped to success during the Phoenix Flying Squad Mpumalanga Championships and Sanesa that was held from Friday, July 21 to Sunday, July 23 are Charné Claassens, Dalton Crous, Eunice Fourie, Berthus Harmse, Zelmarie Niemann and Shannon Lewis.

Charne was riding Stormy and this pair took first place in working riding level 1.

But they were not so lucky in the A2 competition 50cm and competition/championship class 50cm with four penalties coming their way.

In the equitation 50cm they suffered eight penalties.

Dalton managed three first places in Working Hunter 60cm, A2 Competition 70cm and Equitation 70cm.

Dalton who was riding Scribbles also got third place in Handy Hunter 70cm.

The pair did not fare so well in the competition/championship 70cm because of four penalties.

Eunice on Diamond’s Qinetti’s back had everyone on the edge of their seats.

In the championship 90cm, the pair took first place for Sanesa, first place for the graded class, and was crowned overall champion in the 90cm class.

They also got first place in the A2 Competition 90cm and took second place in the equitation novice 90cm test 10, second place for Sanesa and reserved champion for graded.

In Handy Hunter, they brought home a third place and in Working Hunter 80cm they took a third place for Sanesa and overall reserve champion for open-showing class.

The accumulator 1m with Joker was Eunice’s first graded 1m class and she got a super clear round and ended fifth out of 12 riders.

For Berthus on Passionate Lad, it was a very special competition, because it was his first-ever win in a showjumping class. He took first place in the competition/championship 80cm.

“He had a super clear round and a speedy jump-off. There were nine riders in this class. It was a special moment for all of us,” Danéll said.

In equitation 80cm he took second place with a score of 32 out of 40.

In Working Hunter 80cm they managed third place and in the A2 competition 80cm they had to settle with four penalties.

As always Shannon and Winter Night Saphire grabbed the attention.

In the handy hunter 80cm they were awarded first place and got second places in working hunter 80cm, A2 competition 1meter and equitation 90cm.

In the competition/championship, 1m Saphire unfortunately knocked a pole and they ended with four penalties.

Zelmarie and Paw Patrol secured two first places, one in Handy Hunter 80cm and one in Working Hunter 80cm.

In the A2 competition 90cm they did not do as well as expected and ended with four penalties.

The pair placed in equitation 90cm and in the competition/championships 90cm they ended fifth out of 14 riders.

“In the working hunter class 80cm, three of our riders competed in the same class and they were the top three of the class out of six riders,” Danéll proudly said.

She concluded by thanking their grooms who took part in the in-hand and utility showing class.

Filipe Amone with Scribbles ended fourth out of eight grooms and Sifiso Masina with Winter Night Saphire came third out of eight grooms.

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