Taria Brits (19) and her 16-year-old gelding, Great Uncle Argo, are the Capricorn Asset Management 2026 Namibian Showjumping champions.
After a weekend of tight competition in three age groups at the Gymkhana Club Windhoek grounds in Windhoek, Brits clinched the adult title following excellent clear rounds over 1.20m and 1.30m on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
With a pole down in each of the 1.30m rounds on Sunday, she was able to amass 55 points against the 54 of Michelle Kuenzle and Seeis Elton.
“Winning against competitors such as Silvia Kleyenstueber and my coach, Michelle, with years of additional experience is truly a privilege,” Brits says. She started riding at Reitgemeinschaft Otjiwarongo at the age of four and has been based at Swakopmund since 2023.
She is setting out to study in South Africa next year.
The 2025 junior champion Alyssa Hopking and The Tug Restaurant Tommy Davies successfully defended their title in their last year of competition in this age group.
The Swakopmund-based rider outperformed her rivals with super rides over 1.10m, finishing on 47 points.
Hopking was also applauded for having shown really good rounds on both other horses she had taken to the competition.
Emily le Roux (16) and Elite Employment Capital Uzzi from Gymkhana Club Windhoek garnered the title of reserve champion with 41 points, and also became GCW Club Champion ahead of Zoe Schmidt on Ideal Winter.
GCW club champion in dressage for 2026 are Kate Alison on Lowlands Chianti OT Lowlands Z, and Gerhard van Staden on Alpha Lord Loxley.
The title of 2026 children’s showjumping champion went to Aria Kleyenstueber and her stallion Baron von Sphinxblick.
The combination of youth and experience from RVS at Swakopmund posted clear and fast rounds in the 90cm and 1.00m classes to make it a wrap.
Stable-mate Emma Jordaan garnered the reserve champion title on Sphinxblick Kalila.
“We are happy to have been able to see such good rides in very uncomfortable windy weather conditions this year,” chief judge Sabine Reimers says.
“The footing was excellent and the riders really showed discipline and finesse.”
Equestrians will gather again at Okahandja in two weeks’ time for the FEI Dressage World Challenge, the 7 Nations Challenge and the 2026 Namibian Dressage Championships.
