Durban — Two Grade 7 Treverton College pupils finished in the top 10 during a recent national equestrian championship.
Kelly Harvey and Holly Roos, both 13, achieved first and eighth place respectively during the Westown SA Youth Championships held at Shongweni, Durban between 28 June 28 and July4.
Kelly said that she was extremely proud of her achievement and surprised, especially given that KwaZulu-Natal had not done well in recent years. She added that Gauteng usually performs the best and usually wins.
Along with her horse, Capital Carlo, she said that she prepared by free fence jumping and attending a gymnastics jumping course twice a week. She added: “Three times a week, I do flat-work which includes schooling — ie getting his muscles worked and strong. Once a week, I take him out for a walk and then it is followed by one rest day. In total, we train about 8-9 hours a week.”
Kelly said she hopes this will provide a platform for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers at Shongweni on August 10-15.
“I really want to qualify for this as they take the top three riders from each class. Then to jump 1.2m at the Maple Ridge Youth Extravaganza In Johannesburg this month,” Kelly said.
Since the age of 5, Kelly has been riding horses and followed in her dad’s footsteps. She said her dad is the main inspiration for why she rides. She added that an instructor spotted her talent a year later and that’s why she has continued until today.
Holly Roos was placed eighth in the same category as Kelly.
Holly said: “My highlight was that I could ride in/attend this competition — it has always been a dream of mine — and that I placed out of the top 10 and have a rosette to show for it.”
The 5-day event saw over 300 riders and 300 grooms with 500 horses competing in the top event on the equestrian calendar.
The 2024 Westown SA Youth Champs involved South Africa’s top young riders coming together at the Shongweni Club to compete in equestrian events: show jumping, dressage, showing, equitation and eventing.
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