KZN legend runs course
A SHOWJUMPING horse that was born in KwaZulu-Natal will finish his career in the province at the weekend when his saddle will be ceremonially removed in front of the crowd.
Eighteen-year-old Crystallize could continue showjumping for a few more years, but his owner, Cathryn Neill, thinks it is only fitting that he finishes his career at Durban Shongweni Club showgrounds (at the Nissan Winter Classic from June 14-18), which is his home ground, even though he lives at Neill’s farm south of Johannesburg.
“Ninety percent of the crowd know him, so on Sunday I will lead him out into the arena for the last time and take his saddle off, marking the end of his career. The crowd will probably clap to say goodbye to him and then I will lead him off to retirement,” Neill said.
“It will be the end of show pressure, which involves a lot of fitness and strength training exercises, although he does not do the same amount as my other horses as he has done so much over the years and has jumped in every single class there is.”
Crystallize was born in Fort Nottingham in the KZN Midlands and Neill said that her mother, Paula Houghton, owned Crystallize’s sire, Cascade.
“So I had an interest in his life right from the very start.”
His first owner was Brendan McNevin (whose father Duncan bred the horse), and Crystallize had his biggest successes with him, being placed second in the 2011 SA Championships, the 2010 Revil Stables World Club Qualifier as well as the 2010 Pretoria World Cup Qualifier.
Wins
A string of other wins followed and Crystallize was awarded the Top South African Bred Showjumper in South Africa for 2010/2011.
“Having followed Crystallize his whole life, I jumped at the chance to buy him from Brendan in 2012.
“We have had so many fun times together and he gave me the confidence to jump in the higher grades again after my old thoroughbred horse re- tired,” she said.
Crystallize will compete on every day of the Nissan Winter Classic and Neill says she is considering giving Brendan McNevin the chance to ride the horse again.
“He taught Crystallize everything he knows.”
Describing Crystallize as “a little horse with a big heart”, she said that he would always be remembered for his fiery ways and unconventional style.
“But, most of all, he will be remembered for his incredible fighting spirit and love of competition,” she said.
He “probably had far more guts than ability”, she said.
“But he will be missed in the showjumping world and he deserves to have a nice retirement,” she added.