Umtelebhelo Heritage Cup 2022...

When many of us think of horse racing, we think of the polo, Durban July, fancy hats and posh dresses. Now added to the horse racing culture is umtelebhelo, rural horse racing that has been around for over a century. With the event becoming more mainstream, these horse men and women become empowered in the sport and have an opportunity to make a change in their communities.

The umtelebhelo heritage cup 2022 was nothing short of beautiful, chic and indeed a luxe experience An independently funded event that brought together most of KZN to experience the special trot of the horses and celebrate all cultures. We cannot wait to see this rural family sport grow bigger and bigger.

RURAL HORSE RIDING GETTING ON ITS HIGH HORSE WITH UMTELEBHELO HERITAGE CUP

Onthe17thofSeptember2022,we set off in our African Luxe best outfitstoenjoy,betandexperience the Umtelebhelo Heritage Cup The Golden Horse Casino was vibrating from the energy, from cultural groups singing and dancing, to the who’s who in Pietermaritzburg blowing whistles andululations The cluck of galloping horses and the clicking of glasses all added to the energy of the day. An iconic event for rural horse racing as well asforKZN’scapitalcity

On the Rise Rural Horse Racing goes mainstream

Rural horse racing is nothing new to South Africa, however, it has remained over the years Rural horse racing forms a part of our archive as a people, with overacenturyoffamiliesparticipatingin this sport. Horses form a part of imfuyo for many rural homes and young boys andmenlearntoridehorsesasameans of transportation and in herding the family cattle. In between shifts, they would race and play with the horses It offered an opportunity for interaction, companionshipandtraining.

“trotters and pacers” or“single footers”

Although underground, it has global bearings across Southern Africa, KZN, Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana and Namibia Umtelebhelo is not the same as traditional horse racing as the gallop/trot of the horse is different. In this kind of racing, it gallops on a single foot. This kind of horse racing exists in the USA, Australia and other parts of the world, it is called racking “trotters andpacers”or“singlefooters”

It has officially “arrived” in mainstream horse racing with a bolstering show at the Golden Horse, Hollywood bets race course.

It is already popular sport for those in the know. Groundbreaking events like the Dundee July, the Nkandla May, Harry GwalaSummerCupandWinterFeverare some of the flagship events that have beenformallyestablished.

This year, for the first time Umtelebhelo expanded across the rural areas and entered ‘soft life’ at the Golden Horse Casino.

The future is bright for this heritage cup with the Willofontein heritage club, led by Mbuyiseni Mkhize “We are trying to getitaccreditedwiththeauthorities,and to be recognised and treated like other sports codes” he says. The formalising of the sport is already advanced, with applicationsandmotivationsdraftedand sent to the relevant authorities. Along withlicenseapplicationsforbetting.

Theyareactivelyworkingonexpanding the reach and going global. With the correct support and investment, umtelebhelo may enter world Cups andinternationaltournaments Thereis a lot of work that needs to be done before then but it is possible in the short term future. Mkhize and his team aredeterminedtodothis.

A multigenerational family oriented sport

WesatwithMbuyiseniMkhizethechairperson oftheWillowfontainRuralHorseRacingClub. Heisalsoahorseman,“wegotintothisthing fromourfathersandtheyalsostartedfrom theirfathers”.Thatisaremarkableentitythat shouldalwaysbemaintainedinour communities Asportthatnotonlyteaches skillsandcompanionshipbutisalsoinclusive

Families with horses all had a vested interest in the races “It is a family structured sport, the whole family is encouraged to participate in, even the ladies' race as well because it is a family sport. Hence there is a ladies' category ineveryevent.Wetakethatseriously”. wegotinto thisthingfromour fathers

Building an economy

The horsemen have formed a brother

and have an

that remain

to them.

have their own rules and have built

economies that serve them and

Although there is still a

live off

way to go to

there are some

It is not only a

Saddlery and other equipment utilised can be a good venture for the locals. It is expensive to maintain a horse in good and healthycondition,andallhorsemenareself funded There needs to be a further investment into them as horsemen and jockeys.

Community building agent

UmtelebheloHeritageCuphascommunity building and empowerment at heart. It is deliberateinempoweringthesmallcultural groups,theprogrammeonthedaywasfull of up and coming artists The event was freetoenter,whichmeantthatanyonewith a wish, would be accepted to come and enjoytheday'sproceedings.

The disadvantaged communities were transported, reimbursed and catered for, for thedurationoftheevent.Overfourhundred peoplehadbeenbookedaccommodationin andaroundPietermaritzburg,thisbooststhe local economy of Pietermaritzburg and businesses Empowerment was at the core, oneracecommentatorfromukhoziFMand the second one was an ordinary horse man whogainednewexperienceandinsightinto races. Entertainment was all local groups and local radio stations and maskhandi artists.Keepingitlocalandauthentic.

What is always special is allowing people to experiencethecityforthefirsttime,“youcan imagineayounghorsemanfromdeeprural KZNenjoyingthecitylifeforthefirsttimeina hotel,withcateredfoodandasoftlife.

That becomes a life long memory and a dream come true for many” remarks Mbuyiseni. Even without the experience of winningtheraceandtheprizemoney they

Heritage Meets Fashion

Umtelebhelohorseracingstrategicallyoccurs inthemonthofSeptemberwhichisHeritage month So people were encouraged to strut anddressinthebrightestandbiggestcultural outfits. The theme was African Luxe, and people made sure to honour this with their own interpretations. A beautiful and multi colouredeventwithexpressivecolours.

We saw beaded crowns, embroidered gownsandofcourseamabheshunezicholo SeSotho regalia, draped in large blankets and the thick stripes and imibhaco from amaXhosa. It was a beautiful display of culture and what Africa looks like. Dancing. Exoticcuisines Anationbuildingevent

Ambassador of the event and former

have

Lesotho, Eastern Cape and Southern Africa at large This is a unifying event, as known that

these areas were

and today

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