Kimberley's 'gems' gallop to glory on national stage

TWO YOUNG riders from the Kimberley Equestrian Centre (KEC) have done the Northern Cape proud with outstanding performances in national competitions during the month of July, showing that determination, skill and a strong bond with their horses can lead to greatness.

- DANIE VAN DER LITH

Sian Snyman and Madison Kemp, both dedicated and talented equestrians, showcased their abilities in three different competitions held across the country, competing against the best riders South Africa has to offer, and delivering results that have firmly placed Kimberley on the national equestrian map.

SNYMAN SHINES IN JOHANNESBURG

First up, 16-year-old Sian Snyman, who, along with her thoroughbred Woza Silvano, travelled to Johannesburg to represent the Free State at the prestigious South African Youth Championships.

Sian competed in both Dressage and Show Jumping disciplines. In Dressage, she was part of the Free State Novice Dressage Team that secured an impressive second place overall, only narrowly missing gold to powerhouse province Gauteng.

However, it was in show jumping where Sian and Silvano truly stood out. Competing in the highly competitive 80cm Individual Show Jumping class against 72 riders from around the country, Sian delivered incredible consistency. In her opening class, she secured 14th place, but with just two seconds separating first from sixteenth, it was a razor-thin margin. In her next two rounds, she stormed to two consecutive fourth place finishes, missing out on the top spot by less than half a second.