VP High tops in equestrian

Ryal Newfeldt

VICTORIA Park High School's young equestrians have come out on top once again, after finishing first in the annual South African National Equestrian Schools Association (Sanesa) Eastern Cape Eventing series for the second year in a row.

Storm Gorham, Trystin Viviers, Kristen Harrington, Ashleigh Leedo and Lindsay Balkwill represented Victoria Park in the tournament's 10th anniversary year, winning gold after competing in dressage, showjumping and cross country at four shows held at various venues in the province throughout this year, ending in August.

As well as winning the eventing series, Harrington, Gorham and Balkwill finished in a top four position in their respective classes, and qualified to represent Eastern Cape schools at the Sanesa Eventing finals in Johannesburg this month. The pupils have seamless relationships with each other. "What makes us a successful team is that we all get along with each other," said team captain Balkwill.

Relatively new to the league, Victoria Park has participated in the Sanesa Schools Equestrian League as a legitimate school team sport since 2009.

The school is a registered member of Sanesa, and since 2009 has had equestrians representing the school both provincially and nationally in the Sanesa National School Equestrian League.

Eventing clinics are provided for the school by Sunshine Coast Eventing Club, ensuring that the riders remain practiced year-round.

"Horse riding takes up most of your life" said Leedo, adding that "it is also a very expensive sport to go into. The sport demands a lot of concentration, discipline and control."