Endurance riders in Fauresmith race

THIRTEEN horses and riders from Namibia competed in an international endurance championship with South Africa and Botswana in Fauresmith, South Africa, late last month.

The Namibian junior team consisted of the following riders: Neil van Wyk (captain), Izolde von Schauroth, Wanette Hanekom, Marlene Jansen van Rensburg, Hannelie Nel and Barbara Wiesner (reserve). The senior team was: George Wessels (captain), Kobus Jooste, Karel Grunschloss, Udo von Schauroth, Dr Piet van Rooyen and Hannelie Coetzee (reserve).It was a ride with high risks in which the Namibian horses looked well.At the end of the first day, three of the Namibian junior team members were eliminated due to lameness (Izolde, Marlene and Barbara).Notwithstanding this misfortune, the junior team was ahead of South Africa on the first day, but there was a lot of pressure on the three remaining riders, as three team members were required to complete the ride.Otherwise the team would be eliminated.The senior team was 40 minutes behind South Africa on the first day.Udo von Schauroth was riding well and was third in the standard division after the first day.The second day arrived with great misfortune for the Namibian team.Piet van Rooyen was eliminated after his beautiful mare Katja injured her leg.Von Schauroth was also eliminated due to lameness after the second leg.The senior team could not compete anymore, as four senior riders were required to complete the ride.The three junior horses looked excellent after day two and were ahead of South Africa with 50 minutes.The Namibian riders started day three with great enthusiasm, but the junior team rode a little slower, although they were still ahead of South Africa when they reached the finish line.The greatest shock was when Neil van Wyk and Hannelie Nel’s horses were eliminated after 203 km due to slight lameness.With that, their sure win over South Africa came to an end.But, as a consolation, three Namibians were called to present their horses to the vets for the Best Conditioned Horse award.Wanette Hanekom on Mexico, Hannlie Coetzee on Ramuz and Kobus Jooste on Black Beauty were called.During the prize-giving ceremony, Wanette Hanekom received the trophy for the Best Conditioned Junior Horse.The results were as follows: Wanette Hanekom on Mexico – 6th junior in a time of 09h08:59 Kobus Jooste on Black Beauty – 5th Senior Heavyweight in a time of 09h22:29 George Wessels on Breker – 19th Senior Heavyweight in a time of 11h13:49 Hannelie Coetzee on Ramuz – 10th Senior Standard Weight in a time of 09h08:01 Karel Grunschloss on Moskou – 11th Senior Standard Weight in a time of 09h16:54 A total of 311 horses were entered in the ride, 296 departed on the first day and 191 completed this very difficult ride.The Namibian team is looking forward to another big challenge against South Africa and Botswana on August 31 in Walvis Bay.The senior team was: George Wessels (captain), Kobus Jooste, Karel Grunschloss, Udo von Schauroth, Dr Piet van Rooyen and Hannelie Coetzee (reserve).It was a ride with high risks in which the Namibian horses looked well.At the end of the first day, three of the Namibian junior team members were eliminated due to lameness (Izolde, Marlene and Barbara).Notwithstanding this misfortune, the junior team was ahead of South Africa on the first day, but there was a lot of pressure on the three remaining riders, as three team members were required to complete the ride.Otherwise the team would be eliminated.The senior team was 40 minutes behind South Africa on the first day.Udo von Schauroth was riding well and was third in the standard division after the first day.The second day arrived with great misfortune for the Namibian team.Piet van Rooyen was eliminated after his beautiful mare Katja injured her leg.Von Schauroth was also eliminated due to lameness after the second leg.The senior team could not compete anymore, as four senior riders were required to complete the ride.The three junior horses looked excellent after day two and were ahead of South Africa with 50 minutes.The Namibian riders started day three with great enthusiasm, but the junior team rode a little slower, although they were still ahead of South Africa when they reached the finish line.The greatest shock was when Neil van Wyk and Hannelie Nel’s horses were eliminated after 203 km due to slight lameness.With that, their sure win over South Africa came to an end.But, as a consolation, three Namibians were called to present their horses to the vets for the Best Conditioned Horse award.Wanette Hanekom on Mexico, Hannlie Coetzee on Ramuz and Kobus Jooste on Black Beauty were called.During the prize-giving ceremony, Wanette Hanekom received the trophy for the Best Conditioned Junior Horse. The results were as follows: Wanette Hanekom on Mexico – 6th junior in a time of 09h08:59 Kobus Jooste on Black Beauty – 5th Senior Heavyweight in a time of 09h22:29 George Wessels on Breker – 19th Senior Heavyweight in a time of 11h13:49 Hannelie Coetzee on Ramuz – 10th Senior Standard Weight in a time of 09h08:01 Karel Grunschloss on Moskou – 11th Senior Standard Weight in a time of 09h16:54 A total of 311 horses were entered in the ride, 296 departed on the first day and 191 completed this very difficult ride.The Namibian team is looking forward to another big challenge against South Africa and Botswana on August 31 in Walvis Bay.