Reining CRI in Afridome

SANEF Reining held their first ever South African CRI1* event (CRI one star), which took place in September in the Afridome in Parys.

CRI is the international FEI grading system used as a guideline in all international equestrian competitions run under FEI rules. This being a very new experience for our reining riders and show organisers, it took many hours of preparation and coordination by a group of dedicated helpers.

The first South African inter-provincial reining teams event between Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) ran concurrent with the CRI competition. Teams were selected based on consistency and performance over the past eighteen months of competition.

The Gauteng team consisted of William Muller on Philynns Little Beaver, Lynn Muller on Philynns Cool Beaver, Cheryl McCrindle on Miz Whizzing Jac (imported), Sara-Jane McCrindle-Vermeulen on Bronco Captain Cape, and the reserve was Kerry Muller on Bronco Cuda Bar.

The KZN team was Jill Ward on DX Jessy James, Tazelle Ward on Mountneys Kiss Me Quick, and Alison Landwehr on Philynns Nifty Joe Spark. Gauteng won this event with total (three best scores) of 365 points against KZN's 228,5 points.

The winner of round 1 of the CRI class, FEI pattern 6, was Jill Ward on DX Jessy James with a score of 61,5. The winner of round 2, FEI Pattern 9, was Cheryl McCrindle on Miz Whizzing Jac. They scored 67, the highest individual score.

The over-all placing after two rounds was as follows:

• First: Lynn Muller on Philynns Cool Beaver (124,5).
• Second: Colette Erasmus on Copy Cat Rascal (124).
• Third: Cheryl McCrindle on Miz Whizzing Jac (123,5).

The Sunday saw the individual SA Championships as well as an international team competition between South Africa, a German team and an invitational team. The SA Team was Lynn Muller (captain), Cheryl McCrindle, Colette Erasmus, Tazelle Ward and reserve Kerry Muller.

Due to bad ground conditions Canadian FEI qualified judge, Lyle Jackson, decided to have one round only. South Africa scored 193,5 against the German and invitational team who tied at 190. The individual SA Reining Champion was Cheryl McCrindle with a score of 66,5 with the reserve champion Tazelle Ward on Mountneys Kiss Me Quick with 64,5. Colette Erasmus was third on Copy Cat Rascal with a score of 62,5.
The next CRI will be held in May 2012. – Lynn Muller

Lynn Muller on Philynns Cool Beaver won the CRI1* with the highest score over the two rounds

The individual SA Reining Champion was Cheryl McCrindle on Miz Whizzing Jac

New Warmbloods licensed

Three overseas judges joined the local inspector's panel of the SA Warmblood Society for inspection of horses in South Africa this year. Jan Crome-Sperlling and Jens Meyer were from Germany and Mr Rik van Miert is the vice-president of the World Breed Federation of Sports Horses and former chairman of the Belgian breed society, the BWP.

Outstanding stallions that received premiums were:

Lissabon Premium (Lordanos / Sion / Contender) owned by Callaho Stud and bred in Oldenburg. This stallion jumped in the S-classes in Europe. He is being ridden by Mandy Johnson in South Africa. Lissabon stamps his progeny in talent, ability, frame and movement. His most famous son is Lissaro (dams sire Macho AA), who at the Verden Licensing in 2007 and was awarded "premium jumper stallion".

A Star Premium (Argentinus/ Grannus/ Shogun xx), an Oldenburg imported by Capital Stud. A pedigree of a completely different kind, Argentinus is a sire line much needed in South Africa. In A Star, we see a superior stamp of horse, modern and athletic in type. A Star's sire, Argentinus proved his versatility at the 1983 stallion performance test in Adelheidsdorf.

Chicoletto Z Premium (Cassini II/ Coronado/ Landego) is a Zangersheide son of Cassini II and received an outstanding premium mark. He has a pedigree full of the top Holstein breeding lines today including Capitol I, Caletto II and Cor de la Bryère. He is presently being competed in the open jumping classes by Ryan Harvey for Capital stud.

Colnardo Premium (Colman/ Coronado/ Castro). The Holstein-bred Colnardo with his C-line Holstein dominated pedigree showed elasticity, balance, good scope and intelligence over the jump. He is ridden by Nicole Horwood in the 1m30 classes. Colnardo's sire Colman, is very much a performance horse. He won his 100 day jumping test section and achieved many wins in showjumping competitions.

Colbert Premium (Calando I/ Lord/ Marlon xx) was originally imported by Frank Dittmann and is now owned by Warren Banfield and ridden by Paul Hart in the open classes. His jumping successes need no introduction and he showed a cadenced and balanced canter, power and scope over the jumps and great temperament. He is bred in Holstein and has a very relevant pedigree for South African breeders.

Berlioz des Haut Bois Premium (Nabab de Reve/ Pavarotti vd Helle/ Mont Blanc Mandoline) was imported from Belgium by Grant Langley. This young stallion brings in the only bloodline of his famous sire Nabab de Reve by Quidam de Revel to South Africa. Nabab was elected Belgian Horse of the Year in 2002 and is the sire of World Showjumping Champion at WEG 2010, Vigo D'Arsouilles. Grant Lanley of Forsyte Equestrian Centre is producing Berlioz.

Sirandipty Premium, First Acceptance (Sir Shutterfly/ Calvaro Z/ Ramiro) was brought to South Africa in utero from Germany, by Karen Koep of Rivendell Stud in the Western Cape. This young stallion showed a super loose jump and temperament. His sire, Sir Shutterfly, is full brother to Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum's horse Shutterfly and Sirandipity's damline goes back to Calvaro Z. Calvaro's sire Caletto I, is famous for producing showjumpers. His first foals will be on the ground in this breeding season.

Other stallions fully licensed were:

• Con Coriano (Contender/ Coriano/ Ramiro) Holstein owned by Callaho stud, excellent jumping lines.
• Conlanc (Contender/ Lancer/ Cor de la Bryère) Holstein owned by Capital Stud, excellent jumping lines.
• Don Cumarco (Cumano/ Darco/ Montevideo xx) Belgian owned by Capital Stud, excellent jumping lines.
• Castigo (Calato/ Cascavele/ Capitano) Holstein owned by Capital Stud, excellent jumping lines.
  – Frances Cheboub

(www.sawarmbloodhorses.com)

The stallion Lissabon in action. He is being ridden by Mandy Johnson in South

Teams ride for big money

The Tarka endurance ride, hosted by the Hofmeyr Club on Gys and Mariska Botha's farm in Golden Valley near Tarkastad, this year offered a team competition in the 120 km distance with a prize of R10 000 for the team to deliver the best time from three horses.

The competition was fierce, with close to thirty horses entered for the 120, and it was a near-run thing, with Team Landman taking the R10 000 team prize home. Close behind them was Waterlea Endurance in second place, followed by the Green team from Perseverance Arabian and Endurance Horses one minute later. Blakeridge Endurance came fourth.

Laura Seegers on PSV Mabruk won the standard weight 120 km in 6h09 – the fastest time on the course – and took senior best condition. Ashley Gower on PSV Mercury won the young rider 120 in 6h50, and took junior best condition, while Lourens Marais on Kaspaas won the heavyweight 120 km in 6h10. Margaret Hobson from Blakeridge won the lightweight 120 km on High Noon in 7h12.

The barefoot horses certainly proved themselves over all the distances, with both the best condition awards going to horses from Perseverance. Furthermore, Francois Seegers on PSV Karoo came third in the 120 km heavyweight in 6h54, while the barefoot Daleview Equestrian Academy from Kingwilliamstown also did well, with Dylan Webb coming second in the young rider 80 km in 4h21 on Torstone Picachu. Unfortunately his teammate, Tarryn McLaren, had a nasty fall in front of three of the Perseverance team – who stopped to help her – and had to withdraw.
In the 80 km distance, Oscar Lord on Alicedale won the heavyweight category, with N Mbulalie on El Charney Masterpiece taking the standard weight first place. Lauren Lourens on Banghor Shandakan came first in the lightweights, and Kirsty Masterson on Cydrob Crown Amira won the young rider category. – Lucy Dixon

Laura Seegers on PSV Mabruk won the standard weight 120 km in 6h09 – the fastest time on the course

Bit harmful to mouth?

The bit could be the cause of more behavioural problems and ailments than many owners currently recognise. W Robert Cook, FRCVS, PhD, completed a study recently in which he compared 66 domestic horse skulls and twelve wild horse skulls in four US Natural History Museum collections for differences in structure near the point where the bit contacts the skull.

A five-point grading scale was used to document bit-induced bone spurs on the bars of the mouth, with grade 1 being normal and grade 5 the most abnormal. Bone spurs are outgrowths on the bars of the mouth, akin to splints on the cannon bone. The first cheek teeth in the lower jaw are the first to be damaged due to their close proximity to the bit, so the frequency of dental damage was based on these.

Key findings

• 62% of the domestic horse skulls had bone spurs on the bars of the mouth.
• 61% of the domestic horse skulls exhibited erosion of the first lower cheek tooth.
• 88% of the domestic horse skulls showed evidence of either bone or dental damage.
• As the grade of bone spur formation increased from 1 to 5, so did the frequency of dental damage.
• No bone spurs or dental damage was found in any of the twelve wild horses skulls.

Cook suggests that if behavioural problems arise in riding horses, owners and trainers should consider the bit as a cause along with other possibilities. He added that a veterinarian or equine dentist can check for evidence of bit damage in a horse's mouth.

The study, Damage by the bit to the equine interdental space and second lower premolar, was published in February 2011 in Equine Veterinary Education. The article can be viewed online.
– Casie Bazay, TheHorse.com

Sanesa Champs crowned

The Sanesa School Endurance Championships were held at the Leandra Ride on 17 September 2011. Teams from Limpopo, Gauteng, and Western Cape took part as well as individual riders. Distances covered where 60, 80 and 120 km.

The main aims and objectives of Sanesa (South African National Equestrian Schools Association) are:

• To promote the recognition of equestrian disciplines as a team school sport.
• To ensure equal standing of equestrian disciplines with other school sports.
• To encourage schools to recognise pupils' commitment to equestrian disciplines when reviewing commitment to the school for colours and other honours.
• To encourage less privileged schools and their riders to take part in competitions.

In Sanesa endurance you can earn points for your school on any three rides on the Erasa ride calendar from August to July of the next year. Your school has to be registered with Sanesa, and all schools participating also have to be registered with the relevant department of education.

Sanesa schools endurance differentiates between primary and high schools:

• Primary schools include riders that are bona fide learners, irrespective of their age, up to and including grade 7.
• High schools include riders that are bona fide learners, irrespective of their age, in grade 8 through grade 13.

To qualify for the annual schools championships a rider has to successfully compete in two rides at level 1 (step ladder rides of 60-80 km) and three rides of their choice at level 2 (competitive 80 km rides) or 3 (competitive 120 km rides) per season prior to the ride that will be announced as the national schools championship ride. Riders are only allowed to compete in the same category/level in the national championship as in the qualifying rides.

2011 results

• Position 1, Level 1, primary schools: Amelia du Plooy, Limpopo A.
• Position 1, Level 2, primary schools: Ludolph Neethling, Limpopo A.
• Position1, Level 1, high schools: Marike Wilkens, Western Cape A.
• Position 1, Level 2, high schools: Mckyla Olivier, Limpopo A.
• Position 1, Level 3, high schools: Minette de Waal, Gauteng A.

For more information contact Sanesa on www.sanesa.co.za

Boerperde vier kwarteeu

(Foto's deur Hennie & Heather van den Berg, Prestige Photography cc)

Die pas-afgelope Afgri SA Boerperd Nasionale Kampioenskappe wat van 26 tot 29 September by die Afri Dome in Parys plaasgevind het, het 'n rekord aantal inskrywings van 235 perde opgelewer.

Vertoners van regoor die land het hierdie spogskou bygewoon en verskeie trofeë is na afloop van die skou af Swellendam toe, onder andere die Vyfgang Groot Kampioenskap wat deur Hessekwa Aqua van Andries Streicher, vertoon en afgerig deur Kobie Smit, gewen is. Die Tradisionele driegang is deur Samjak Lawaai, vertoon deur Liezelle Whitehead en afgerig deur Glenda Koen, gewen. Die Universele driegang is deur Carel Meintjies met B 3 Koraal gewen, 'n uitsonderlike suksesvolle perd-en-ruiter-kombinasie.

Die Enkeltuig Kampioenskappe is vir die vierde agtereenvolgende jaar deur Vlampies Cha-Cha van SAB Krog en afgerig deur Diederick Cloete gewen. Die Siertuig Kampioenskappe is deur Jurust Gogga van JW Schutte gewen, met Johan Kleynhans as afrigter en koetsier.

'n Eerste by hierdie Nasionale Kampioenskappe was 'n skou-springkompetisie wat Dinsdagaand, 27 September in die Afri Dome aangebied is. Van jonk tot oud het hiervoor ingeskryf en beloof om baie gewild in die toekoms by SA Boerperd skoue te word. Die kwaliteit en standaard van die perde was van die beste ooit en 'n heerlike samesyn het onder die vertoners geheers.

Vlampies Cha-Cha se naam beskryf hom perfek: energiek en ritmies. My kinders verwys na hom as Hoofseun omdat hy altyd gesag afdwing en ek selde ontevrede met hom is. Dit is egter 'n groot voorreg om hierdie talentvolle, dog nederige perd af te rig.

Cha-Cha is op 22 Oktober 2003 in Niekerkshoop, 'n baie klein dorpie in die Noord-Kaap gebore en het in 2007 aan sy eerste nasionale kampioenskappe te Pretoria deelgeneem. Hy het verbasend goed presteer en as Reserwe Enkeltuigkampioen uit die stryd getree. Daarna het hy vier jaar agtereenvolgens die Nasionale Kampioen Enkeltuigtoekenning ontvang.

Henry Krog, die trotse eienaar van hierdie spoghings, het na die afgelope Nasionale Kampioenskappe by Parys gepas opgemerk: "Bravo Vlampies Cha-Cha, jou yster". Mag sy foto's nog lank pryk op verskeie fone se agtergronde, in tydskrifte en in die harte en gedagtes van sy bewonderaars.

Samjak Lawaai wat die Tradisionele Driegang (22 perde in die kampioenskappe – die meeste ooit) gewen het. Samjak is die eiendom van Joop Boerdery en is vertoon deur Liezelle Whitehead

Hessekwa Aqua vertoon deur Kobie Smit en eiendom van Andries Streicher van Swellendam (Vyfgangkampioen). Samjak Lawaai is sy dogter

Vlampies Cha Cha

Tent pegging-kampioene steel kollig

Die Suid-Afrikaanse tent pegging-kampioenskappe wat gedurende die eerste week van Oktober in Tarkastad behou is, is beslis die grootste geleentheid op die jaarlikse tent pegging-kalender. Nege provinsies en meer as 110 ruiters was betrokke by die verskillende items wat oor 'n tydperk van bykans 'n week gehou is. SA Horseman was bevoorreg om die geleentheid te kon meemaak.

Die hoogtepunt van die week was beslis die aanwys van die mans- en dames Protea-spanne. Op die laaste dag is die interprovinsiale kampioenskappe gehou. Die uitslae was soos volg:

• Manskompetisie: Vrystaat (1), Noordwes (2), Westelike Provinsie (3), Gauteng Noord (4), Griekwas (5), Noord-Vrystaat (6), KwaZulu-Natal en Noordoos-Kaap (7), Oostelike Provinsie (8).
• Vrouekompetisie: Vrystaat (1), Noordoos-Kaap (2).