It’s great to have you with us for our latest edition of HQ Magazine.
The HQ office is buzzing with the excitement of this busy few weeks on the show scene; with SA Dressage Champs, SANESA Nationals and the Toyota SA Derby rapidly approaching (to name just a few!) our team is VERY busy – and loving every minute of it. In this edition, we focus mainly on the recent Toyota South African Showjumping Championships held at Kyalami Park Club; we meet all the Championship winners and hear about their experiences at the show. But, to catch up on previous show news, we also chat with Jenna Odell (equitation coach extraordinaire!) and Tamara Rueda, winner of the final World Cup Qualifier in the series.
We also have some of our usual content (of course!), with an article looking at sound sensitivity, another on joint infections in horses and our AskHQ section.
We hope you enjoy diving into what’s on offer, and we look forward to seeing you back here next month for more of your favourite equestrian content!
Lizzie and the HQ team
Dr Lizzie Harrison | Editor
CONTENTS
Jenna Odell
SA Youth Champs 2024 equitation coach extraordinaire
Tam Rueda and Callaho Liantos
Our latest World Cup Qualifier winners
Toyota SA Champs
Fast facts
Tack n’ Togs
At Toyota SA Champs
Thomas van Rijckevorsel and Capital My Lady
1.50m South African Champions
Kelly O’Connor and Leila
1.40m South African Champions
Charley Crockart and Legend
1.35m South African Champions
Olivia Garton and Cylana
1.30m South African Champions
Taryn Allnut and Callaho Cairo
1.20m South African Champions
Micayla Powell and Your Perfect Africa’s Zonjati La Mina 1.10m South African Champions
Jaime-Lee Reilly and Swazi Lizkhar Regal Lagos 1.00m South African Champions
Elme Maritz and Seeis Sompras
90cm South African Champions
Hannelize Kamfer and KP Innuendo
80cm South African Champions
All ears
Understanding and managing sound sensitivity in horses
Joint infections in horses
An overview
AskHQ
Your equestrian questions answered
Products We Love
Shopping fun
PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT PHOTOGRAPHY AND KAYEANP PHOTOGRAPHY
SA YOUTH CHAMPS 2024 EQUITATION COACH EXTRAORDINAIRE JENNA ODELL
Equitation in South Africa is one of the disciplines that gives the most recognition to the coach of the athlete, and rightly so! The primary goal of equitation has, from its inception, been to improve the standard of riding in South Africa, and it has most certainly achieved its goal, as we observe the standard of young riders who participated in this year’s SA National Junior Open Equitation Championships.
32 of the best junior riders from five provinces across South Africa challenged for the title. A gruelling day of competition saw the top eight proceed to ‘Part 3’, where they swopped horses, and finally, the top two riders progressed to ‘Part 4’, where they rode a ‘secret’ horse. What resulted was three podiumplacing athletes who all hailed from KwaZulu Natal and, amazingly, were all coached by Jenna Odell!
HORSE AND RIDER
SA EQUITATION JUNIOR OPEN CHAMPS:
1st Alexandra Ric-Hansen (Callaho Laios)
2nd Hamza Minty (Erreplus Atoki)
3rd Olivia Roberts (Eagles Coastwatch)
We had a quick catch-up with Jenna after this great success to learn more about her and what factors contributed to her success as a coach at this year’s SA Champs!
HQ: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your ‘horsey’ background?
Jenna: I started riding when I was seven or eight years old, but I’m
not sure where that came from as neither of my parents are ‘horsey’. I just begged and begged them to take me for lessons, and I think in the end, they took me just to shut me up! But I fell in love with the sport, much to their dismay, and it snowballed from there. They were very supportive; we moved to an equestrian property, got some ponies, and eventually moved on to the horses.
I didn’t have much of a pony rider ‘career’ or very good ponies. Then, going into Juniors, I got a Thoroughbred off the track and a young Callaho that I had to produce myself to the bigger classes. By the time I got to matric, I was jumping in the 1.30m classes quite competitively, but I didn’t win any big Junior title classes.
When I left school, I took a gap year instead of going straight to varsity, and I work rode and started a little bit of coaching to earn some pocket money, but I was mostly riding and wanted to take that year to travel to some of the big shows and get a lot of experience riding for myself before going to varsity. When the time came to go to varsity, I decided I was going to do something that allowed me to stay where I was and keep up with the riding work and the teaching. I decided to do a degree through UNISA by correspondence and the riding work and teaching picked up from there. As the years have passed the riding work has decreased, and teaching has become my main priority.
DID YOU KNOW?
Lord Cassini was one of four Lord Z progeny sold on the 2016 Callaho Auction. Callaho
Lord Cris (Lord Z x Contender) is a WCQ winner with George Coutlis, and his full sister, Callaho Lordana, jumped up to 1.20m with Zoe Morphis, and Callaho
Lord Callan (Lord Z x Calando I) also jumped up to 1.20m with Kyle Venter.
HQ: Can you tell us a bit about your top horses so far?
Jenna: My first really good horse was called Capital Contagion; we bought him from the Stud. We jumped up to the 1.35m/1.40m classes, and I eventually had to sell him to buy my next top horses, but he was very successful for me and very competitive.
I then had Park Pleasure, a big chestnut who jumped me up to the
World Cups and was my first big league horse. He jumped me around my first open classes, first Grand Prixes, and World Cups; he was just amazing. He was a bit difficult with the water and a bit quirky, but he gave me a lot of exposure and experience around those big tracks. I then had a horse called Figo, who was also a very big horse! He was super scopey and very brave. He also gave me a lot of experience and was quite a different type of horse.
Of my current horses, my best horse at the moment is Callaho Lord Cassini, who we bought off the Callaho auction in 2016, and is jumping his first year in the World Cup Qualifier Series. He is finding it pretty easy, which is an amazing feeling! He is very competitive, very quick, and not the easiest, but we have such a good relationship; I’m absolutely loving him!
HQ: What disciplines do you coach?
Jenna: I mainly coach showjumping, and the equitation falls in with that for the Juniors. I think equitation is a really good foundation and base for young riders to build upon. It teaches very correct and disciplined riding and that translates through to your effectiveness in showjumping.
HQ: Could tell us a bit about your coaching philosophy?
Jenna: As a coach you have to be constantly learning! Any trainer or instructor will say that they are never quite up to speed; there is always something different, a slightly different or new way of doing things, and you can never stop learning. Personally, I love watching the warm-up arena and watching other people coach in the warm-up arena. Seeing their little tips and tricks and
different ways of seeing and doing things is fascinating. I also watch a lot of lessons and tutorials with the best riders in the world online, and whenever we travel and go and watch international shows, I can pick up stuff there. So, it’s about constantly learning and adapting; if you run into a problem, talk to different people about it. There is always something new to learn, and you can always gain slightly different insights from everyone.
HQ: Could you give us your thoughts on this year’s Equitation Championship Class?
Jenna: This year’s Junior Open Equitation class was very, very strong; the strongest I have seen in a good few years. It was a big class with over thirty riders, and every rider rode a very good test. The scores were very high and competitive, and the level of riding was superb. You could see the degree of preparation that the riders and coaches went to for this event; it was a lovely class to watch.
HQ: How did you prepare your riders?
Jenna: In terms of preparation, our weekly riding is very disciplined, particular and meticulous, so we don’t have to change a whole lot when we prepare for the equitation.
The foundations of equitation are instilled into us and into our riders daily. The riders are trained to ride very correctly and according to a structured plan. The main difference in preparation would be running through the tests; the kids need to know them. We don’t necessarily run through the whole test but rather run through elements of the test and the transitions between the movements. Another beneficial tool is getting the riders on a variety of different horses in preparation for Parts 3 and 4. It is very helpful for them to be able to get on new horses and be able to change and adapt to that horse’s way of going. Essentially learning how the new horse likes to go and adapting to get the best out of that horse.
HQ: What advice would you give to someone competing in a big equitation class?
Jenna: I think you have to stick with your plan. In Parts 1 and 2, you know your horse and their strengths and weaknesses, and you must plan your course to suit both you and your horse. Don’t watch how others have planned their test; stick to your guns, stick to your test, and
know that is the best you are going to do. For Parts 3 and 4, I think you need to get on the swapped horse and ride him how he wants to go. I don’t think you can force it. We all have our own riding styles, but in this instance, you have to try to get the best out of that horse at that moment, and oftentimes, that means letting that horse go the way he wants to go.
HQ: Well, as you coach an outstanding 75% of riders qualified for the Philip Smith Memorial Championships this coming year, the odds are good for a winner for you! All the best and we will certainly follow this story!
TEXT: AMELIA CAMPBELL-HORNE
PHOTOGRAPHY: MEGAN WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY & MERLYNN TRICHARDT PHOTOGRAPHY
TAM RUEDA AND CALLAHO LIANTOS
OUR LATEST WORLD CUP QUALIFIER WINNERS
HQ: Take us back to the beginning. How long have you been riding and how did you get into it?
Tam Rueda and Callaho Liantos recently claimed their first WCQ podium finish in style jumping a quick double clear in Shongweni last month to finish on the top step of the podium! We had a quick catch-up with this homegrown horse and rider pair to hear all about it.
Tam: I’ve been riding basically forever… Or, at least, since I could walk! My mom had horses, so I started riding at home. She stuck me on a few ponies, and I’ve been riding ever since.
We come from a horse-riding family; my granny was in racing, my mom did racing and showjumping, so it’s just in the genes I guess?
had our eyes on another horse but, unfortunately, didn’t get her. We were with Johan Kachelhoffer, who we were quite involved with at the time as he had chosen my horse Quantas 18. As we had missed out on Callaho Coneisha and Callaho Liantos was one of the last horses on Auction Johan pointed at him when he came up and said “I promise you, that is the one.”. We hadn’t tried him and we ended up getting him!
DID YOU KNOW?
Liantos is the second locally bred Callaho to win a WCQ - the first was Callaho Lord Cris, last year with George Coutlis in the saddle.
HQ: He has always been quite quirky; how have you managed those ‘quirks’?
Tam: Ya, he was quite naughty in the beginning - ‘quirky’ and full of himself. He used to get me off all the time, kicked me everywhere… and he was just a nightmare! But he has always loved his job, and it was just about containing his ability. I’ve had to allow him to be himself but also keep the lid on him. I’ve tried to keep things uncomplicated, but at the same time keep him stimulated all the time because when he has nothing to do, he gets completely ahead of himself! I try to make his work very different every day, alternating between hacking out, working in, and lunging. We have also had to be patient with him because he is so careful; this meant we just had to take our time with him going up the grades.
HQ: This is not your first big win of the year having had a great victory in the Grand Prix at the Stokkiesdraai WCQ. Can you tell us about that competition?
Tam: So, he only stepped up to the 1.50m classes last year; we spent quite a lot of time in the 1.40s with him, and he had his first big win at 1.45/1.50m in the Burlington Cup last year. This year, he came second in the Aquelle Shongweni Grand Prix, and then otherwise, it’s been clear first round and then not as much luck in the second round. Then, it all came together in Stokkies. At every show, it feels like he has learnt
more and matured more, so I have just tried to be patient with him. He is so naturally quick over the jump, so then when I think quick, he can go too quick, and then we have a soft rail. So, the change at Stokkies was that we really stuck to our plan. Myself and my coaches Rainer Körber and Gonda Beatrix said that we were going to focus on the WCQ on Sunday, so that took the pressure off the Grand Prix, which is where he rose to the occasion, and we won! And then we went on to Shongweni with the same mentality and took the win there! So, long may this streak last!
DID YOU KNOW?
Liantos has a full brother in the sport, Callaho Le Cadeau, who has also jumped up to WCQ level. His other full brother, Lyon, recently sold on the Callaho Auction for R1.350.000!
Shongweni is where you also jumped your first WCQ on him in June last year, and you finished up seventh out of the 29 starters, so it’s clearly a favourite venue for you! But looking forward, what are your plans with Liantos?
Tam: I’m not sure. My absolute dream would be to take him to Europe for two years to campaign there on him, but we are just in
the process of seeing if that is a possibility and finding a base and funding! It’s a bit more complicated than I would have thought... So the alternative is to stay in South Africa and extend his career as long as possible, and achieve all we can together, but my absolute dream would be to go and ride In Europe with Liantos for two years.
HQ: And you don’t only have him, so what are the plans with the rest of your string and what you would like to do with them?
Tam: Lad (L’Adorado FG) is finally back from an injury, and I was hoping we would be ready to jump Derby, but I’m not sure at this stage, so we will just see. Otherwise, we aim for next year and getting back to the big classes. And then I have three amazing young horses that I have been focusing on and having fun on, so the focus is producing them. Then, with Justi (Just on Time Z), I’d like to get him back up to the 1.50m classes next year.
HQ: How do you deal with ‘nerves’, and do you have any helpful tips and tricks for us?
Tam: I think… breathe! Try not to let your nerves fluster you, and try to focus on enjoying yourself! It should be fun! But also, if you have a horse that you trust, then it’s also easy to believe in them and just enjoy yourself. At the end of the day, we are very lucky to be able to ride these beautiful horses, so remember that, breathe, try enjoy yourself and let it be!
HQ: What is the most important thing you look for in a coach?
Tam: I think the main thing is having someone that gives you confidence and believes in you and your horse. They need to be willing to invest their time and effort in you but also be patient. I’ve had the privilege of having a lot of great coaches, and that is what has always been important to me, and those are my favourite qualities.
HQ: Well congratulations again, and we wish you all the best, and hope to see you both representing SA on the international stage!
DID YOU KNOW?
Tam and Liantos are currently ranked third in RSA in the 2024 1.50m rankings.
TOYOTA SA CHAMPS
FAST FACTS ABOUT OUR NEW SOUTH AFRICAN CHAMPIONS
9 SOUTH AFRICAN CHAMPIONS FROM 80CM-150CM
5 MARES
3 GELDINGS
1STALLION THREE IMPORTS THREE SOUTH AFRICAN WARMBLOODS TWO NAMIBIAN WARMBLOODS ONE SWAZI WARMBLOOD
2 SOLD OFF AUCTION CAPITAL MY LADY AND CALLAHO CAIRO
5 YEARS OLD
(80CM CHAMPION) YOUNGEST HORSE
16
(1.10M CHAMPION) OLDEST HORSE AVERAGE AGE 9.5 YEARS OLD
YEARS OLD
8 FEMALE RIDER CHAMPIONS
1 MALE RIDER CHAMPIONS
MOST PROMINENT BLOODLINE:
Consuelo: 1 x sire (Cylana) and 2 x dam sire (La Mina and Regal Lagos)
CHAMPIONSHIP BLOODLINES ALSO AT
Cassini I – dam sire of Capital My Lady (1.50m SA Champion)
• Contago: Cornet Obolensky x Cassini I (MEX Olympic Showjumping)
Clinton – dam sire of Legend (1.35m SA Champion)
THE OLYMPICS:
• Mistral van de Vogelzang: Elvis Ter Putte x Clinton (NOR Olympic Showjumping)
• Issem: Quality Time TN x Clinton (POL Olympic Showjumping)
Cornet Obolensky – dam sire of Leila (1.40m SA Champion)
• Dynamix de Belheme: Snaike de Blondel x Cornet Obolensky (SUI Olympic Showjumping)
• Contago: Cornet Obolensky x Cassini I (MEX Olympic Showjumping)
• Dourados 2: Diarado x Cornet Obolensky (POR Olympic Showjumping)
• Flash Blue B: Mr Blue x Pionier (POL Olympic Showjumping),
• Toubleu de Rueire: Mr Blue x Bayard D’Elle (SUI Olympic Eventing)
Untouchable – sire of Capital My Lady (1.50m SA Champion)
• PUMA HS: Untouchable x Party Dance (ESP Olympic Showjumping)
• United Touch S: Grandsire is Untouchable (GER Olympic Showjumping)
Incredibly, the 1.35m Champion, the 1.40m Champion and the 1.50m Champion are all Tack n’ Togs sponsored riders.
We caught up with the three of them to find out about their three must-have items from the shop!
TACK N’ TOGS
AT TOYOTA SA CHAMPS
1
2
3
Hirzl Gloves My Erreplus GTS Zandona boots
1
Animo clothing! You obviously do not get better quality than Animo. I love it, and love riding in it.
2
My KEP helmet; I feel very safe in it. I’ve obviously had a couple of falls, and they are very strong helmets, which is clearly important from the safety perspective!
3
Back on Track stable bootsall my horses have them every night. It keeps their legs feeling and looking great throughout competition.
Kelly O’Connor (1.40m South African Champion)
Thomas van Rijckevorsel (1.50m South African Champion)
1
Number one has to be my lucky Animo tie. I’ve had it for so long, and it’s the only tie I use. It always comes out on the big day, and it looks like it works.
2
The Animo breeches are my absolute favourite. I also have a specific pair that always comes out on the last day.
3
Then, my KEP helmet. I like the light-weight carbon fibre, and I think it looks really cool!
PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT PHOTOGRAPHY
THOMAS VAN RIJCKEVORSEL AND CAPITAL MY LADY
(12-YEAR-OLD UNTOUCHABLE X CASSINI I MARE)
1.50M SOUTH AFRICAN CHAMPIONS
Capital My Lady was amazing at the show. She jumped the first round really well, the second round was even better, and in the jump-off, she just knew what to do. She is so good, and I’m so happy to have won this title with her.
This was my second SA Adult Championships, as I jumped in Brits last year and came sixth. She didn’t touch a rail there either, but due to a miscommunication, we picked up two-time faults that knocked us out of the four-fault jump-off. It was great to get into the jump-off this time, and I prefer to go first or last in a jump-off, so we were lucky to be last out of the three riders, and she loves to just go fast. I showed her the turn back to jump three, and she just took it so easily. Sometimes, it seems like she can read and write!
I’m going to see which class we do at the Toyota SA Derby this year. I’m not sure if we’ll do the 1.40m Derby or the Big Derby. She’s won both the 1.30m SA Derby (with Ivan van der Sijde in 2019) and then she won the Micro Derby with me in 2021. Last year, she had one down in the 1.40m Derby to finish up in sixth, so we’ll just see how she’s feeling on the day!”
DID YOU KNOW?
Thomas and Capital
My Lady were SA Showjumping Junior Reserve Champions in 2021, placing second at Youth Championships to Amy Hay and Goedzo Vittorio VDE at Mistico Equestrian Centre in 2021.
KELLY O’CONNOR AND LEILA
(13-YEAR-OLD LORD PEZI X CORNET OBOLENSKY MARE)
1.40M
SOUTH AFRICAN CHAMPIONS
PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT PHOTOGRAPHY
Leila, or as we affectionately call her ‘little ladybug’ because she is very lucky to be alive still, is quite feisty and very strong-willed but a complete professional. When she wants to win, nothing is going to stop her. I just love her; I think she has so much ability and talent.
It was a very emotional win for me, especially on her, because I had selected her as a four-year-old from Dominey Alexander. I then sold her because I was offered a lot of money for her. It was a hard sale because
I just adored her, but unfortunately, that is my business - producing and selling… Then, when the opportunity arose to buy her back, I obviously jumped at it, and we travelled to Europe. When I decided to come home, we had issues due to Surra, and the authorities wanted to euthanise her. I had such a strong partnership with her already, and I knew she didn’t have Surra, so I had to fight for her. In the end, we flew her to Kenya, resolved the blood test issue, and finally managed to get her back!
After this, she always had weird little incidents that stopped her from performing. She even had a freak accident in the horse box when she scalped herself, so we could never get the momentum going. I found this really unusual, so I actually went to a spiritualist and said, “I don’t know what is going on with this
horse, but you need to cleanse her aura or something; it is just a series of unfortunate events happening to her, and something is always blocking her!” So, when she won at this show, it just blew me away, because we had gone through this whole journey; I knew she could do it, and she did!
To add to it, this week was also very significant for me, as I sold Capital Moonlight to what I think is the perfect home for him, and that was a very emotional decision. In the midst of this, I went to Leila and said, “Leila, my girl, can you step up now? It’s your turn”. And she did; she proved to me she was capable, which I always knew that she was. So, it was a very, very emotional week, but I felt that it was also confirmation that I was doing the right thing.
My goal for the future with her after this big win is to strengthen her. She’s done two 1.45m classes, but she needs to be really strong in her body to do some 1.50m classes next year; that would be my big target for next year. I think she’s more than capable of doing it; I just need to do my part to prepare her because this level is tough on the horses’ bodies.”
– Kelly
PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT PHOTOGRAPHY
CHARLEY CROCKART AND LEGEND
(EIGHT-YEAR-OLD MR BLUE X CLINTON STALLION) ZIM
1.35M SOUTH AFRICAN CHAMPIONS
"A massive thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey and to Toyota for your sponsorship of this event.
Ilse Bosch – thank you for breeding this special boy!
MacDonald Flint Suliya – your son is a champion even though he gives you lots of stress!
Dominey Alexander – thank you for helping me to produce him and for all your support.
To my sponsors – thank you. Special thanks to Equine-Librium Veterinary Physiotherapy Clinic and Tack n’ Togs for all your years of support and your huge generosity.” - Charley
PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT PHOTOGRAPHY
OLIVIA GARTON AND CYLANA
(EIGHT-YEAR-OLD CONSUELO X GLANN ALME MARE)
1.30M SOUTH AFRICAN CHAMPIONS
Cylana and I began our journey in November 2021, when we started competing in the 90cm classes and slowly made our way up the grades. She is by Consuelo out of Cleopatra (Cinzia Pasteris’ World Cup Winner and my sister’s top Junior horse).
True to the nature of chestnut mares, she shows a range of personalities; some days she is ‘Lunatic Lana’, and other days ‘Lovely Lana.’ Regardless of her mood, her heart of gold ensures that she always fights for us in the ring.
The process of developing a horse through the Open grades is immensely fulfilling, and the bond that forms through this journey is truly special. When Lana competed in her first 1.30m class in September 2023, I was so nervous, but Lana didn’t even bat an eyelid.
I am deeply grateful for the guidance and support from my mom, my entire team, and especially from my mentor and hero, Ronnie Lawrence, whose groundwork training and dedication have proved invaluable.
Our performance at the South African Championships was a highlight, as we secured the 1.30m SA Championship Title. This achievement is particularly meaningful to me, as my mom won this same title with her horse,
Leonardo Da Vinci, in 2012. Then, the following day, we competed in the Inter-provincial Open Team competition, where Gauteng emerged victorious. This show will always hold a special place in my memories.”
– Olivia Garton
PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT PHOTOGRAPHY
TARYN ALLNUT AND CALLAHO CAIRO
(7-YEAR-OLD CON CORIANO X FOR JOY MARE)
1.20M SOUTH AFRICAN
CHAMPIONS
“For the past two years, I've had the pleasure of owning Cairo, a spirited horse I got when she was five years old and had never been to a show. Together, we have progressed from the 80cm classes to the 1.20m classes; it has been a journey filled with both challenges and triumphs. We have learned, grown, and developed a powerful partnership along the way.
Cairo is full of personality – bold, outgoing, and absolutely in love with her job. She’s given me a level of confidence I never thought possible. In the Toyota South African 1.20m Championship class, we were the first to go in the jump-off. Determined to
make our mark, we pushed for a fast, clear round. We held the lead until the very end, and we won. Winning that title felt like all the hard work had paid off, and I could not be more grateful for the support of our team and the bond we have built together.” – Taryn
MICAYLA POWELL AND YOUR PERFECT AFRICA’S ZONJATI LA MINA
(16-YEAR-OLD LE PIMEUR X CONSUELO MARE)
1.10M SOUTH AFRICAN CHAMPIONS
"My goal is to soon move up to the 1.20m with La Mina and for her and me to continue having fun together. I also have my young horse, Seeis Alcatraz. She is jumping in the 1.10m, and I hope to move her up the grades. I am excited to see what the future holds with both of these special horses. It was a great show for both of them.
“La Mina is an amazing mare owned by Jeanne Korber and Alison van Deventer; I have had the privilege of riding her for the past few months. I did my first show with her in June at Gauteng Champs. We then did Stokkiesdraai and came second in the 1.10m Championships, then first in the 1.10m Burlington Cup and then first in the Toyota 1.10m SA Championships.
La Mina is a feisty, sensitive and careful mare with a heart of gold. She absolutely loves her jumping, she enjoys going forward, and she takes me to the jumps; that is what I love about her.
It was amazing winning the Toyota 1.10m SA Championships! La Mina jumped so well and tried her best for me. I am so grateful to be able to ride La Mina; I can’t wait for our next show together.
Thank you so much, Toyota, for your generous sponsorship throughout the show; it was a fantastic SA Championships.”
PHOTOGRAPHY: MEGAN WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY
JAIME-LEE REILLY AND SWAZI LIZKHAR
REGAL LAGOS
(EIGHT-YEAR-OLD LAGOS X CONSUELO GELDING) SWAZI
1.00M SOUTH AFRICAN CHAMPIONS
It’s been a long ride to get here. Coming from Swaziland, there aren’t many shows that allowed me and Regal to climb the grades and compete to our full potential. Juggling school and studying in SA made me take it slow with Regal, but being where I am now is a blessing.
I have finally landed in a yard with the most incredible coach, Dominey Alexander and team. Reegy was incredible this weekend at SA Champs and got stronger every day! First round of Champs, we had a hard rub on the Toyota oxer, but it stayed up - from that moment, I had a sneaky feeling that Champs was going to be our day, which it was! We’re stepping up into the 1.10m classes and we will see where it takes us! I can’t thank Dominey, Karen, and the Cellehof Team enough for everything they have done for me and Reegy! Of course the biggest thank you to the best partner in crime - Reegy, you really are the best!” – Jaime
THAT ENERGY SLUMP GET OVER
Photographed: Callaho Tel Aviv with Chatan Hendriks. Photographed by: Pix By Alex
ELME MARITZ AND SEEIS SOMPRAS
(TEN-YEAR-OLD SAMPRAS X DROSSELKLANG
GELDING - NEW RIDE) - NAMIBIA
90CM SOUTH AFRICAN CHAMPIONS
“My journey with Sam (Seeis Sompras) has been nothing short of extraordinary. Coming from a nonhorsey background, opportunities were few and far between. For years, I considered walking away from the sport. But deep down, I knew I had a dream to chase. So, I made the bold decision to leave my whole life behind in Namibia, to give myself the chance I deserved to succeed in this
sport. I moved to Johannesburg and began training at Farnham Stables under the guidance of Lorette and Barry Taylor. My previous horse had lameness issues, which made competing difficult and emotionally draining. Searching for a new partner in a very money-dominated sport was daunting; I was afraid I wouldn’t find the right horse I so desperately needed.
Against all odds, my incredible coaches, Lorette and Barry Taylor, found Sam. The first time I rode him, I knew instantly that he was the one. We connected in a way that felt almost magical, and he was everything I had hoped and prayed for. After just one week with him, I entered the lower grades at our first two shows to start building our partnership slowly, without rushing.
To my surprise, we won our first show at Kumusha Stables! That victory set us on an incredible high. Then came SA Champs. On the first day, we placed fifth; on the second day, fourth. Then came Championship Day—the day that truly mattered. And when it counted the most, this little guy dug deep and fought with every ounce of heart he had. Sam gave me everything he had around that track, pouring his soul into every jump. Together, we made it happen; Sam gave it his all, and we came out on top as Champions.
Thank you to my coaches, Barry and Lorette, for shaping me into the rider I am today; to my family and dearest parents in Namibia for making my dreams come true; and my partner, Daniel, who stood by me through it all, making this victory even more special.
Looking ahead, my hopes for Sam are boundless. I truly believe he is that one-in-a-million horse that every rider dreams of, and I have no doubt he will carry me up into the open grades with ease. His heart, talent, and our undeniable bond give me the confidence to aim higher, and I’m excited to see how far we can go together in the sport.” – Elme
PHOTOGRAPHY: MEGAN WRIGHT
AND VIDEOGRAPHY
HANNELIZE KAMFER AND KP INNUENDO
(FIVE-YEAR-OLD I’M SPECIAL DE MUZE X QUINTENDER STALLION). OWNED BY JEANINE VAN WYK.
80CM SOUTH AFRICAN CHAMPIONS
“I literally bought the dream when I purchased KP Innuendo at just one-month-old from Ryan Andrews. Affectionately known in our yard as ‘Special’, he is by I’m Special de Muze out of a Quintedor x Cardento mare.
This flashy chocolate box foal with a huge amount of presence caught my eye and I fell in love instantly over a Facebook photo. Ryan made buying the dream completely possible for me, and Innuendo stayed at Kellow until he was weaned, after which I fetched him and brought him home to Swaziland, where he has grown up at my house.
I backed him as a 3.5-year-old and then put him back in the field to grow up some more. When he was 4.5 years old, we started to hack him around the fields, and then when he turned five, he came into my string. He loves cuddles over the stable door, and my daughter’s old pony, Cello, is his best friend.
To ride, he is highly intelligent; he is light and naturally balanced and knows where his legs are. He has proven his BMT in a massive way - I
prepared him for SA CHAMPS at home in Swaziland and then asked Hannelize Kamfer to ride him for me - she literally rode him for the first time the day before the show and did a great job throughout - getting two seconds and then a win.
Toyota SA CHAMPS 2024 was Special’s VERY FIRST SHOW, and what a way to start his career! I am so excited to produce him up the showjumping grades - I have big dreams for us.” – Jeanine
UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING SOUND SENSITIVITY IN HORSES
SDID YOU KNOW?
Horses hear sounds over a wider range of frequencies than we do, although the decibel levels they respond to are about the same. This means that they can be aware of sounds outside our range of hearing but experience volume in a similar way.
ound sensitivity in horses, often referred to as auditory hyperaesthesia, is a prevalent yet frequently overlooked issue that can have significant implications for a horse’s well-being. Whether it’s the distant rumble of thunder, the crackle of fireworks, or the everyday noises of the barn, some horses react more intensely to sound than others. Recognising, managing, and knowing when to seek professional help for sound sensitivity is crucial for any horse owner or caretaker.
RECOGNISING SOUND SENSITIVITY IN HORSES
Horses are naturally alert animals with acute hearing, which makes them prone to noticing sounds that humans might overlook. However, when a horse is sound-sensitive, his reactions to auditory stimuli can become exaggerated and sometimes dangerous. Here are some common signs of sound sensitivity:
1. Startling or spooking: One of the most obvious signs is when a horse suddenly jumps, bolts, or attempts to flee in response to unexpected or loud noises. This can be anything from a car backfiring to a sudden clap of thunder to a door slamming.
2. Heightened anxiety: Horses may show signs of increased anxiety, such as becoming overly alert or sweating. They might pace in their stalls, become more reactive to other stimuli, or appear generally unsettled.
3. Head shaking and ear movements: Constant ear flicking, head shaking, or pinning ears back can indicate that a horse is uncomfortable with certain sounds. These behaviours might become more pronounced when the horse is
4. Avoidance behaviours:
A sound-sensitive horse may refuse to enter certain areas where it associates sounds with discomfort or fear. For example, a horse might be reluctant to enter a trailer if it associates the enclosed
MANAGING SOUND SENSITIVITY
Managing a horse with sound sensitivity requires a combination of environmental adjustments, training, and, sometimes, therapeutic interventions. Here’s a few ways to help your horse cope:
1. Create a calm environment:
Minimise exposure to sudden or loud noises in the horse's environment. If possible, stable your horse in a quieter area of the barn, away from noisy machinery or high-traffic areas. If this is not possible, playing background music while your horse is stabled (and even while you ride) can help minimise the impact of environmental noise.
2. Counter-conditioning training:
Gradual exposure to the triggering sounds with positive reinforcement when the horse remains calm can help desensitise a horse to noises. Start with very low levels of the sound and gradually increase the volume as the horse becomes more comfortable. Each time the horse remains calm in the presence of a new noise or new level of noise, you should reward him with a treat or scratches to pair the noises with positive experiences. This process should be done slowly and over time to ensure the horse is not overwhelmed.
3. Use of calming aids: There are various calming supplements, such as magnesium or tryptophan-based products, that can help reduce anxiety in sound-sensitive horses. Some owners also find success using calming essential oils or aromatherapy.
4. Ear protection: In situations where you know your horse will be exposed to loud noises, such as during shows, fireworks displays
or thunderstorms, consider using earplugs or noise-dampening bonnets. These can help reduce the intensity of the sound and make the horse feel more secure.
5. Consistent routine: Horses thrive on routine, and maintaining a consistent schedule can help reduce anxiety. Knowing when to expect feeding, turnout, and work can make a sound-sensitive horse feel more secure.
A NOTE ON HEARING LOSS
In addition to ageing, the disorders that affect equine hearing are temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO), congenital deafness (often related to coat colour), brain diseases, head trauma, and ear infections. Similar to horses with sound sensitivity, these horses with hearing loss may exhibit behavioural changes. These horses are likely to become more anxious due to the loss of the sense; in many cases, hearing loss is undetected or overlooked when looking for the cause of the anxiety.
WHEN TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP
While some horses can be managed effectively with the strategies above, others may require additional help. It’s important to know when to seek professional assistance:
1. Persistent anxiety: If your horse remains highly anxious despite your best efforts to manage sound sensitivity, it may be time to consult with a vet or equine behaviourist.
2. Dangerous behaviour: If your horse’s reactions to sounds are putting him, you, or others at risk, professional intervention is
necessary. A behaviourist can assess the situation and develop a tailored management plan.
3. Underlying health issues: In some cases, sound sensitivity can be a symptom of an underlying health problem, such as ear infections or neurological conditions. A vet can perform a thorough examination to rule out or address any medical issues. NOTE: If increased sensitivity to sound develops suddenly and was not present before, you should arrange an urgent vet appointment. Several conditions that can lead to sound sensitivity have a better prognosis if managed quickly.
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
Sound sensitivity in horses is a manageable condition, but it requires patience, understanding, and sometimes professional help to deal with. By recognising the signs early and implementing appropriate management strategies, you can
help your horse feel more secure and reduce the stress associated with sound sensitivity. Remember, every horse is unique, so what works for one may not work for another. The key is to stay attuned to your horse’s needs and be willing to adapt your approach as necessary.
Joint infections, also known as septic arthritis, are serious and potentially life-threatening conditions in horses. These infections can lead to severe lameness, joint damage, and, if not treated promptly, longterm disability or even the need for euthanasia. Understanding the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for joint infections is crucial for horse owners, vets, and equine caretakers.
Joint
AN OVERVIEW horses in infections
DID YOU KNOW?
In adult horses, fever occurs after the infection becomes established. In foals, the fever often begins before there are signs of lameness or swelling in the joint.
CAUSES OF JOINT INFECTIONS
Joint infections in horses are usually caused by the invasion of bacteria into the joint space, leading to inflammation and destruction of joint structures. The most common causes include:
1. Trauma: Penetrating wounds, such as punctures or lacerations near a joint, can introduce bacteria directly into the joint space. This is generally the most common way joint infections occur.
A NOTE ON JOINT INJECTIONS
Rarely synovial infections can occur following the administration of joint injections, where a vet injects therapeutic substances into the joint capsule.
Although the vet may clean the skin surface and use sterile needles, there is still a risk of introducing bacteria into the joint capsule with injectable medications.
Studies show that around 1 out of 1000 joint injections administered to horses result in a synovial infection. There is no difference in the risk of joint infection for injections performed in a hospital setting versus a yard setting. Known factors that increase the risk of synovial infections after joint injections include:
• Clipping the hair over the joint
• Using non-sterile needles or gloves
• Limited practitioner experience
• Using multi-dose vials of medications
• Larger needle sizes
2. Iatrogenic causes: Medical procedures, including joint injections or surgery, can sometimes inadvertently introduce bacteria into the joint. It is worth noting that some medications can also change the normal joint defences making them more susceptible to infection.
3. Haematogenous spread: In foals, bacteria can enter the bloodstream (often due to septicaemia) and localise in the joints. This route is less common in adult horses but can occur in cases of severe systemic (body-wide) infections.
SYMPTOMS
The signs of joint infections in horses can vary but often include:
1. Severe lameness: Horses with joint infections typically exhibit acute, severe lameness, often non-weight-bearing on the affected limb. The range of motion will be significantly reduced.
2. Swelling: The joint may appear swollen, warm to the touch, and painful when palpated.
3. Fever: Some horses may develop a fever, particularly if the infection is also affecting the rest of the body (i.e. it is a systemic infection).
5. General malaise: Horses may exhibit signs of general discomfort, depression, and loss of appetite.
A NOTE ON JOINT INFECTIONS IN FOALS
As noted, with foals, bacteria entering the bloodstream can infect the joint. Often, the bacteria come from the umbilicus, but they can also originate in the gut, with the main symptom being diarrhoea or the lungs due to pneumonia. Fascinatingly, in studies of foals with septic joints, 50-88% had a total or partial failure of passive transfer (e.g. failure to drink enough highquality colostrum from their dam).
DID YOU KNOW?
Arthroscopic lavage involves inserting a small camera as well as surgical forceps into the joint cavity to remove inflammatory debris.
DIAGNOSIS
Early and accurate diagnosis of joint infections is essential for a positive outcome. Diagnostic methods include:
1. Clinical examination: Vets begin with a thorough physical examination, assessing the horse’s gait, joint swelling, and overall condition.
2. Synovial fluid analysis: Collecting and analysing synovial fluid from the affected joint is a critical diagnostic step. In cases of infection, the fluid often appears cloudy, with an elevated white blood cell count and increased protein levels. Bacterial cultures can identify the causative agent.
3. Imaging: X-Rays and ultrasound may be used to assess joint damage, the presence of gas pockets, or foreign bodies. In some cases, advanced imaging techniques like MRI or CT scans are needed.
4. Blood tests: Bloodwork can help assess the overall health status of the horse and the presence of systemic infection.
TREATMENT
Prompt and aggressive treatment is crucial to prevent permanent joint damage. The primary goals are to eliminate the infection, reduce inflammation, and restore normal joint function. Treatment options include:
1. Antibiotics: Broad-spectrum antibiotics are often administered initially, followed by targeted therapy based on the results of the joint fluid culture. These antibiotics can be given intravenously, intramuscularly, or directly into the joint. A popular technique for antibiotic treatment of lower limb infections in horses is regional limb perfusion (RLP), and antibiotic-impregnated materials are also gaining popularity as options for joint infections.
REGIONAL LIMB PERFUSION (RLP)
This procedure involves administering antibiotics directly into the blood vessels of a specific limb to achieve high local concentrations of the drug in the target area.
The primary aim of RLP is to achieve a higher concentration of antibiotics in the infected area while minimising systemic exposure and potential side effects.
To perform an RLP, the vet places a tourniquet higher up on the limb than the affected joint to prevent blood flow back to the body. Following this, antibiotics are injected into a blood vessel, resulting in an elevated concentration of antibiotics in the area below the tourniquet. The horse stands with the tourniquet in place for 15-30 minutes after antibiotic administration to allow the medication time to work.
2. Joint lavage: Flushing the joint with sterile fluids helps remove bacteria, inflammatory debris, and toxins, making antibiotic treatment more effective. This procedure may need to be repeated multiple times.
3. Surgery: In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary in the form of arthroscopic lavage to remove infected tissue, debride the joint, or insert drains.
4. Pain management: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to control pain and inflammation.
5. Supportive care: Horses may require additional supportive care, including rest, fluid therapy, and nutritional support.
USE OF ANTIBIOTICIMPREGNATED MATERIALS
Antibiotic-impregnated materials are a novel and increasingly popular approach in the treatment of joint infections in horses. These materials include small discs or beads that deliver high concentrations of antibiotics directly to the site of infection. The medication releases slowly after the material is placed in an infected synovial space. The most common material is polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads, but some vets may have access to gentamicin-collagen sponges, which are also effective in treating synovial infections.
PROGNOSIS
The prognosis for horses with joint infections depends on several factors, including the promptness of treatment, the severity of the infection, and the horse's overall health. Early intervention typically leads to a better outcome, but some horses may suffer from chronic lameness or arthritis even after successful treatment.
Researchers evaluated racehorses in America (Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds) with joint infections.
They found that 85 percent of aggressively treated horses survived and 56 percent returned to racing.
The outcome for foals with septic joints, however, is poor. Studies report that only 42 to 84 percent of foals with infected joints survive. Early and aggressive treatment is key to success. A study showed that 71 percent of foals treated within two days of clinical signs survived. Only 4 percent survived when treatment started after 2 days.
PREVENTION
Preventing joint infections involves:
1. Proper wound management: Wounds near a joint or synovial structure (e.g., a tendon sheath) require prompt veterinary evaluation. Small wounds are often ignored, but they can penetrate into the joint, so do not underestimate their severity. All wounds, regardless of location, should be cleaned as soon as possible and kept clean.
2. Aseptic techniques: Ensuring strict aseptic techniques during medical procedures involving joints can reduce the risk of infections occurring due to joint injections or other procedures.
3. Monitoring foals: Early recognition and treatment of systemic infections in foals can prevent the spread to joints.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Joint infections in horses are medical emergencies that require swift action to prevent long-term consequences. With appropriate and timely treatment, many horses can recover and return to their previous level of activity. However, prevention through careful wound management, vigilant monitoring of at-risk horses, and adherence to proper medical procedures remains the best strategy to protect horses from this serious condition.
YOUR EQUESTRIAN QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Why are some people choosing to back their horses later?
In recent years, many people are choosing to back their horses later than was traditionally done. This shift is largely influenced by growing awareness of the horse’s physical and mental development in these key areas:
1. Joint and skeletal maturity
Horses’ bones, joints, and ligaments are not fully developed until they are older. The horse's spine, in
particular, continues to grow and mature up to five or even six years of age, depending on the breed. Riding a horse too early can place stress on immature joints, potentially leading to long-term orthopaedic issues like arthritis or joint injuries.
2. Muscle development
Giving a horse time to build its muscles naturally before introducing a rider helps prevent injuries. Early riding can cause strain or incorrect muscle development, which could affect the horse’s balance and performance later in life.
3. Mental maturity
Horses that are backed later often display better focus and willingness to learn. Younger horses may not yet have the mental capacity to cope with the pressures of training and riding, leading to frustration, confusion, or resistance. By waiting, trainers allow the horse to mature mentally, making the training process smoother and less stressful and the horse’s association with riding more pleasant.
How can I further my education in horses when I have a small budget?
Educating yourself about horses on a budget is absolutely possible with some resourcefulness and dedication. Here are several low-cost or free ways to learn about horse care, behaviour, and riding:
1. Volunteer or work
Try and volunteer or work at a local yard to help with daily tasks like grooming and just spend more time around horses. They are, after all, the best teachers!
2. Take advantage of free online resources
Ultimately, then horses that are backed later may have longer, healthier careers, as their bodies and minds are better prepared to handle the physical demands of riding. Waiting allows for more sustainable development, potentially improving longevity and performance.
• HQ Magazine: Thanks to the generous support of our advertisers, HQ Magazine is free to read every single month, so dive into the content and get learning!
• YouTube: There are countless educational videos from experienced horse trainers, vets, and behaviourists. Many of these channels offer free tutorials on training, horse behaviour, and care.
• Blogs and websites: Lots of websites (including www. hqmagazine.co.za) offer articles on a wide range of topics, including health, riding, and management.
• Social media groups and forums: Communities on social media, as well as online forums, allow you to ask questions and learn from the experiences of other equestrians.
3. Borrow or buy used books
Many groups on Facebook have used books for sale on horse care, behaviour, and training.
4. Participate in free webinars and online courses
Many equestrian organisations and educational platforms offer free webinars or introductory courses.
5. Attend local events
Look for local horse shows and clinics where you can watch and learn. Sometimes, event organisers offer free or affordable auditor spots, which allow you to observe professional trainers working with horses. Even if you don’t ride or participate, attending clinics can provide valuable insight into various training techniques.
6. Ask lots of questions
Many horse owners are happy to share their knowledge and experience, and you may even find a mentor.
By combining hands-on experience, online learning, and reading, you can build a solid foundation of horse knowledge without spending a lot of money. We’re aware of just how expensive this sport can be, so we strive to keep our magazine free so everyone can have access to educational and sporting content about these special animals.
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