Die geleende rit
Elsabé Fouché van Nietverdiend skryf:

So foeter ons Leniesdeel toe. Geleende perd wat op haar eie met 'n geleentheid daar moet kom. Geleende saal, toom en hierdie keer ook 'n geleende tent. So loop ons ons toe vas in 'n baie streng veearts: "Jammer, as Blues wil 80 km ry, moet sy agterskoene ook aanhê, al is dit sandwêreld."

Na 'n vreeslike geskarrel ontmoet ons lag-lag een van die beste hoefsmede in die wêreld. Blues laat niemand ooit aan haar agterbene raak nie, maar Bernè beslaan haar daardie aand asof dit maar net 'n normale prosedure is.
Maar ek slaap nie lekker in 'n tent nie. Reg voor die tent staan 'n konka wat die hele nag smeul. Nes ek dink dis nou die laaste stukkie hout, dan kom 'n skim uit die duisternis uit en gooi nog hout op. Ter wille van suurstof, kruip ek naderhand uit en gaan sit eenkant in die veld op 'n stomp.

Daar in die nag, dink ek hoe nou verweef die perd en die boer nog altyd was. In elke ruiter se lewe is daar 'n perd wat uitstaan: My pa vertel altyd van Vrolik en hoe 'n yster daardie perd was. Skatjie kry skoon 'n blinkegeidjie in die oë as hy Rofti se naam noem. Ag, en die van ons wat maar op die kantlyn staan, kan 'n perd ook nie uitlos nie. Hoeka op pad hierheen het ek die uitdrukking gebruik: "Moet tog nie so gou op jou perdjie spring nie" – ek wou maar net weet of hou ons by die aanbevole spoedgrens.

Dan het my ouma ook altyd vertel dat die mense in die Kolonie die warm, vars mis van 'n bruin perdehings gebruik het om 'n sterk tee te trek. Dit is dan vir 'n kleintjie gegee wat stuipe gehad het. Volgens oorlewering het daar dan 'n blasie by die kind se mond uitgekom as die stuipe verby is.

Nietemin, na 'n slapelose nag vir my, durf Susan en Blues die 80 km aan. Voltooi dit suksesvol en Hennie kom so terloops noem dat ons asseblief vir Blues moet kwalifiseer vir Fauresmith. Dit is eers tuis dat die volle implikasies my tref.

Na vele telefoonoproepe vind ek uit wat "kwalifiseer vir Fauresmith" beteken en moes ek eers op 'n padkaart gaan kyk waar op hierdie aarde is Fauresmith geleë. En so word ons uitgelewer aan 'n perd van 'n ander kleur ...

Judges compensation
Eino Vuorinen writes:

Thanks for your article in the January issue on organising shows, but I disagree on the point of judges and officials needing to be paid or not. We are three GHS dressage judges and we organise dressage shows every second month. We use dressage judges who are on the GHS dressage judges' list and pay judges R20 per horse plus R40 for refreshments, plus lunch that is prepared by chefs.

If somebody wants to organise a dressage show using qualified judges, then a gift is not enough when a judge has to travel and judge the whole day. We judges talk to each other and if a venue is not up to standard, the pay is bad and the food lousy, you will not get judges to your venue in future.

Riders will enter a dressage competition if they know that the venue is well-maintained, the judges are qualified, the programme runs effectively, the results are announced rapidly, the prizes are good and there is enough space to park your horse box and warm up your horse.

Loophole in the riding industry
Tracy Andrews, Port Elizabeth, writes:

Several people advertise their services as instructors and display varying levels of qualification, lists of achievements, publications and success as riders. However, where can we, "the instructables" check that these qualities are actually valid?

As a responsible rider, and in good faith, I recently paid in advance for lessons. Due to whatever reason, these lessons were not delivered and the travelling instructor left. I did not have the lessons, nor was the money refunded. It is pointless to approach Sanef or any of the governing bodies where the coach/instructor resides, as these transactions are deemed to be private in nature.

Quite correct too. But what can you do? Please instructors, I value your experience and knowledge and I would appreciate the same respect that I afford you. (See reply below).

Di Pieterse, Director of Sanef National Instructors' Plan answers:

The current legislation that governs the activities of riding schools and riding instructors includes those which are placed on establishments by municipal regulations, SARS, Occupational Health & Safety, the Department of Labour and the four national acts that pertain to animal welfare.

We are aware of work in progress on the introduction of legislation to license riding instructors. We believe that a renewal period has been recommended to run for the same timeframe as the holder's first aid certificate is valid and that the applicant obtains a qualifying number of professional development points for the same period.

In the spirit of free enterprise and the -Constitution, there is no embargo on an -individual advertising their services. -However, the public should feel secure that they are receiving value for their money from someone who has relevant knowledge, followed a standardised course, has been found proficient by the qualification body and enjoys the endorsement of a representative professional body.

The Equestrian Educators' Association (EEASA) was formed to represent professionals in the industry. EEASA has introduced the concept of professional development seminars for CPD points.

The Sanef National Instructors' Plan maintains a list of candidates that have taken any of the Sanef qualifications, including those who are in possession of an international equestrian trainer's passport. The regional chairmen maintain a list of instructors who are known to be active in their province. Sanef, in association with the FEI, runs professional development courses for competition coaches.

Training providers, including those who offer short courses, must register their training or skills development programmes with the appropriate educational authorities. This is relevant in the case of studies aligned to the five levels of qualifications and unit standards generated by the Standards Generating Body for Equine Management and Equestrian Instruction.

With the growth we have witnessed in the horse riding industry, we anticipate that the need Ms Andrews has expressed to further her knowledge, can be met with structured learning that is growing steadily in demand and the challenge to supply is being addressed at every possible opportunity.