Team South Africa Willie De Jager
Danielle Dercksen
Parent/Guardian Names: Tina and Willie De Jager
Parent/Guardian Names: My number 1 supporters – Elsje and Francois Dercksen
Grade in School, OR year in college, OR year graduated (if applicable): 2nd Year B.Tech Marketing Student - Central University Of Technology Bloemfontein Degree: BSc Agric Plant Pathology and Horticulture School Activities: I do not participate in any activities at my tertiary institute my horse riding occupies most of my free time.
Grade in School, or year in college, or year graduated (if applicable): Grade 11 and I’m 16 years old. School (High School and/or College): I attend Bloemhof Girl’s High School in Stellenbosch. School Activities: I play netball and tennis. I also am the sport editor of my school newspaper.
Interests outside of horses: I have no other interests, horses are my only interest but I do enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
Interests outside of horses: Sport activities especially Netball. Socializing with my friends, dancing and going to concerts and shows. I also enjoy decorating cakes for my friends’ birthdays.
Years Riding: I have been showing competitively for seventeen years now but have been riding since the age of three.
Years Riding: I started riding when I was 5 years old on ponies and only started riding Saddlebreds at the age of 12.
Current horse(s): I currently have Explosive, Stormy Sky, Dream Catcher, Hot To Trot, Global Applause, Mighty Nite, Olympic Nite, Mr. Excellence and Chaka Kahn and my stunning equitation mounts Fight Night and African Princess.
Current horse(s): Tango in the Wind, Gallway Monro, Wild Tower, Ocean Stream.
Favorite horse(s) you’ve shown and why: I have been privileged to own many great horses and each of them taught me a lot. My first show horse Jim Beam to whom I sadly had to say good bye last November was very special to me, past equitation mounts Sheena’s Lover and Great Style each hold special memories, also Sir Roy a past three-gaited stake horse was a favorite of mine, and of course Explosive my latest three-gaited horse just gives me chills every time I look at him. Greatest accomplishment: No single accomplishment shines out, highlights include winning the Three-Gaited Champion Of Champions in 2008 and 2009, taking home the three-gaited and five-gaited 18 and under titles in 2009, Riding Sir Roy and winning the Three-Gaited Grand Juvenile Stake and later that year winning my first three-gaited Grand Championship at Parys 2009 and also being part of the double gold medal World Cup team of 2008 and the 5-Gaited gold medal team of 2010. Lastly showing Explosive for the first time at Petrusburg show last year and winning the three gaited Stake.
Favorite horse(s) you’ve shown and why: It would be Tango in the Wind. He is quite a difficult horse to ride, but when everything goes smooth there are few other horses which can give one such a thrill. Greatest accomplishment: Champion Child’s Riding Horse 18 years at our National Championships in Bloemfontein last year, 2013. I rode Tango in the Wind at night and he had the attitude to winning the class. Greatest influence: My greatest influence would most probably be my dad, Francois, who introduced me to horses at a very young age. He made horse riding part of my daily life and gave me the opportunities to compete and enjoying showing as a hobby. He has taught me to work hard and to never give up despite what other people say or think. The most important thing that I have learned from him is that nothing is ever impossible. Favorite Quote: “If you throw me to the wolves, I will return leading the pack.”
Greatest influence: My Parents have been my greatest influence, they have always stood behind me and supported me in everything I have ever done in my life, and they have taught me nothing in worthwhile in life comes without hard work and dedication. Favorite Quote:You Have The Power To Change Everything That’s To Come, Why Not Be Great?
Steven Ferreira Parent/Guardian Names: Colleen and Tommy Ferreira Grade in School, or year in college, or year graduated (if applicable): Grade 9 School (High School and/or College): Woodridge College School Activities: I do athletics, 100m, 400m and long jump. I am also on the Under 16A rugby team. Interests outside of horses: Rugby and hunting.
Martin Pienaar 3-Gaited Coach
Koekie de Villiers 5-Gaited Coach
Years Riding: I started riding when I was about 8 and did my first show at age 9. I used to enjoy riding with my dad when I was younger and always asked him to ‘go faster’. Current horse(s): I have a three- gaited American Saddler, Radetsky’s Lucky One, and I also have a three-gaited and a five-gaited Cape Boerperd, Colchester’s Statesman and Indiana Pampoen. Favorite horse(s): Lucky One, he is highly intelligent and stimulates my thought process every step of the way. Greatest accomplishment: Multi SA titles in the Boerperd industry 2008-2013, and Senior Protea Saddle Seat World Cup team 2014. Greatest influence: My parents for giving me the opportunity and the exposure to horse riding, and Enid Norton for inspiring me to be all I can be and more. Favorite Quote:“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”
Francois Dercksen Team Manager THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE Championships Edition
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