Horses, riders to be tested during NC endurance event

STABLEWOOD horse stabling yard on the Boshof road will host the Northern Cape’s first ever endurance horse ride over two days from today.

The race will end on Saturday afternoon. Endurance ride organiser, Suzette van den Bergh, said more than 60 riders of all ages are expected to participate.

Van den Bergh, chairperson of the Kimberley Endurance Club (KEC), which is part of the Northern Cape branch of the national Endurance Riding Association (Erasa), said this was a first of a kind ride for locals.

“It is not a speed race. The riders and horses of every breed come from all corners of the country to test the endurance of the horse.”

She added that most of riders will come from Bloemfontein and Fauresmith in the Free State, but also stated that there was a lot for members of the public to see during the 40km and the 80km stretches of the ride.

“There will be three legs to the ride. Which means each horse will be checked by veterinarians for health and fitness after covering a set distance of the course.

“Spectators can watch the action from several vantage points on the three plots that make up the endurance ride course. It is quite a spectacle to see the first riders come in after the first lap.”

Apart from the Stablewood ranch, Rooifontein, Klippies Pan and Rietpan farms will also form part of the course.

Van den Bergh said most of the experienced horses will ride tomorrow. They are not sprinters, but are much faster than novice horses.

To emphasise the family and community nature of the ride, the club yesterday confirmed the entry of a seven-year-old rider from Postmasburg who will be among the competitors.

There is no prize money, however, riders will have to register with their steads and pay a fee which mostly covers the veterinary services.

Van den Bergh also invited members of the public who are interested in horse riding to contact her on 083 294 6433.