During the September school holidays, 26 riders and 38 horses of the BRS Equestrian Centre outside Welkom took part In the Sanesa South African National Championship.
The championships were held from 21 to 28 September at the Kyalami Equestrian Park.
Here, the BRS riders represented the Free State.
The different disciplines they competed in included Show Jumping, Equitation, Working Riding, Working Hunter, Dressage, Prix Caprilli, and In-hand Utility.
The BRS Riders competed in 116 classes, representing the Free State in all, while also competing individually.
During the competition, the BRS Riders were presented with 77 rosettes (prizes), earned for placing among the top ten in South Africa.
There were 11 newcomer BRS riders who took part in their first national championship in the Rising Star Catergory.
These riders varied in age, some as young as six years old to 15. Though inexperienced, they did exceptionally well coming home with 11 South African Champ medals.
The BRS had 17 riders participating in the Core League for the Free State, and returned home with a total of 19 medals.
The total medal tally is 11 gold, 16 silver, and six bronze. The amount of medals won by the BRS team at the Sanesa national championships was 34.
“These riders put in many hours of hard work, dedication, and teamwork with their horses. They compete in many competitions throughout the year to qualify for the Championships,” says Belinda Basson, coach at the BRS.
She says it is an honour to train the riders, and the fruits of their hard work show in their results.
