Pupils representing schools in Plettenberg Bay, Still Bay, Oudtshoorn, George and Knysna carried their school banners high during the opening parade of the second of four qualifiers. These qualifiers will ultimately determine who represents the Western Cape in the nationals to be held in Johannesburg during September and October.
The riders were put through their paces in the various disciplines; showing, show jumping, dressage, eventing, equitation and tentpegging.
At the end of this qualifier the schools standing are as follows; Oakhill High School (Knysna) first with 4 345 points, followed by Point High School (Mossel Bay) with 2 460. York High School (George) followed with 1 960 then Hoerskool Albertinia (Albertinia), Hoerskool Outeniqua (George), Glenwood House (George) and Knysna Montessori High (Knysna).
In the primary school division Holy Cross Primary School (George) is currently in first position with 4 295 points, second, Glenwood House Preparatory School (George) with 2 755, followed by Oakhill Junior School (Knysna) with 2 755 points. Next up is Laerskool Bertie Barnard (Still Bay), then Knysna Montessori School, followed by Plettenberg Bay Primary School and then Blanco Laerskool (George).
The groups are not only decided by primary or high school, but within these two groups classes run from the most basic beginners on lead reigns, to the highly competitive and advanced. Every region within Sanesa holds up to four multi-discipline qualifiers in the first half of the year and then the top qualifying riders with the most accumulated points in each discipline go forward to represent their province at Regional Championships, and then the annual Sanesa National Championships.
According to Mark de Villiers, SANEA South Western District chairperson, SANEA (affiliated to the South African Equestrian Federation (SAEF)) is dedicated to promoting all forms of equestrian sport within the South African schools' community. "It is not essential for anyone to actually own their own horse or pony to participate in Sanesa - many riding school pupils compete with success at our events on borrowed horses or ponies," he explained.
He added that Sanesa is currently striving to ensure that it is an all-inclusive organisation and that any person who wishes to compete is not disadvantaged in any way.
Schools that have learners that would like to compete need only join Sanesa and riders that attend these schools enter the shows as their school's representatives.
The third qualifier will take place at the George Riding Club in Glenwood Avenue on 12 and 13 April. De Villiers invites all to "come along and have a look. Entry to the grounds is free," he concluded.
Outeniqua High School's Zia Deysel showing how the 90cm jump is done during the second Sanesa qualifier held at the beautiful George Riding Club in Glenwood Avenue, Goerge.
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