The Welkom Show has rapidly gained prominence and this year drew 200 entrants from the best SA Saddle Horse establishments in the Free State, writes Louise de Wet.
The SA Sadlle Horse Northern Free State Regional Championships held in Welkom, has in just three years, become an event of growing prominence and promises to become even bigger and better in the future.
Organised by Hannes and Annette le Roux and their committee, the event was very successful with nearly 200 horses on show. A relaxed atmosphere prevailed throughout, with exhibitors being treated to several private parties and events organised by the Show Society.
The judges
The judges who officiated were Stephanie Wessels of Clocolan, Jannie Pienaar of Petrusburg and yours truly, Louise de Wet of Bloemfontein.
There were also three aspiring judges doing their practical examinations at this show – Ruelda Viljoen, Martie Mans and AP van den Berg.
The winners
Most of the 72 classes were well- supported and entrants represented some of the best SA Saddle Horse establishments in the Free State.
Crystal Anvil Stables in Bethlehem did exceptionally well. Owner and trainer Glenda Koen took the Five-gaited Championship on the dynamic and most worthy winner, Mud, Guts and Glory. Her husband, Attie, won the Reserve Five-gaited Championship on Sinbin. This horse is virtually unknown and really put up an excellent performance.
This championship was filled with good horses and it was a difficult task to decide some of the final placings.
The Three-gaited Championship was won in grand and precise style, by Thunderbird Wings, trained and shown by resident trainer Albert Hertzog
for the owners of Oosdeel Stud in Bloemfontein.
The Reserve Champion Three-gaited Horse was Marguerite de Savoy, owned by Diana Schuss.
The Fine Harness Championship was won by Black Apache, owned, trained and shown by Johnnie Coetzee of Virginia.
The Reserve Champion was Tamagotchi, owned and shown by his owner Michelle Ebersohn of Bloemfontein. This stallion is trained by Riaan van den Heever of Thabundu Stables in Bloemfontein.
The Single Harness Championship was won by Tiger Time, owned and shown by Saai Pienaar of Bloemfontein.
The Reserve Champion Single Harness Horse was Cannabus Queen, also owned by Saai Pienaar and was shown by AJ Buys of Hantam Stables in Bloemfontein. Both Tiger Time and Cannabis Queen are trained by AJ Buys.
