This year at HOY was a mixture of emotions that proved to test the resolve of even the toughest showing professional. Our team had to endure horrific traffic on our way there, as the heavy rains made roads super slippery and caused many road users frustrations with delays of hours trying desperately to get to their destinations on time. The pouring rain started early on Monday morning and lasted throughout the entire week of the show.

Our horses boxed like pros at 5am as we set out for Kyalami Equestrian estate. On our arrival, we first made sure that all the four legged children were settled in their stables before we frantically started to turn out the horses in preparation for their classes in the pouring rain.

We entered the arena one by one, soaked to the bone. Both horses and handlers enduring the constant downpour with as much grace and patience as can be expected of any well trained team. With poise and elegance our four participants took home their fair share of rosettes in the SASHF classes, bringing and end to the first day of showing.

Day two we had more time to make sure that all the horses looked their best before going in to the arena for their individual classes in the General breeds category. Here also they all did very well and I am very pleased with the remarks given from the judges. Unfortunately Symphony had sprained her fetlock in the soggy footing of the soaked arenas, which resulted in swelling that left me no alternative but to withdraw her from the rest of the classes she was entered into.

On Thursday, the Coloured Classes were held, and once again all the horses really did well, bringing to an end a week of shivering cold and wet competition.

Qaiser, now owned by Megan Uren, (our fantastic show jumper, who competes Joepie for us) also took part in the SAWHS colts 2-3yr old class and was an absolute eye catcher in his beautiful bright blue showing brow band.