Gobabis
Horse riders from neighbouring Botswana proved to be potatoes too hot to handle for their local counterparts at the Ghan-Oma Horseracing Competition in Gobabis last weekend .
The race formed part of the Ghan-Oma annual festival under the auspices of the Omaheke Regional Council and Botswana’s Ghanzi District.
The gathering also formed part of the preparations for Botswana’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations, slated for next year September.
The event attracted a large crowd with inhabitants from the two countries flocking into Gobabis Turf Club to witness close to 100 thoroughbred horses and their riders paddling through the gruelling 800m and 2 400m sprints.
The visitors emerged overall winners, claiming six gold medals from the eight different categories on offer.
In the grand 2 400m sprint, ‘Kwaheri’ of Angermund Racing showed his competitors a clean pair of hooves to be crowned the champion.
The victory drew wild celebrations from the locals who burst out in song, loudly singing the Namibian anthem while waving the national flag.
In the 800m sprint ‘King Kandara’, owned by William Joseph from Botswana, in the Ganzi District, won gold tailed by ‘Bohemian Gold’ of Angermund Racing in 2nd
spot while ‘Admiral John Peter’ of J. Wellman of Rehoboth had to settle for 3rd place.
In the 1 600m, ‘True Arrogance’ of Mathew Cimbano (Botswana) triumphed leaving ‘Women in Love’ of Athanasius Katamelo (Namibia) and ‘Chase Me’ of Walter Joseph (Botswana) to pick up the pieces for 2nd and 3rd places, respectively.
In the 1 000m, ‘Double Track’ of T Kangootui from Botswana won gold followed by ‘Kwaheri’ of Angermund Racing, and ‘Whisper in the Wind’ of E. Stanley (Botswana) trailing in 3rd.
The popular 1 800m was won by ‘Confident Dancer’ of S. Van Zyl (Namibia) tailed by ‘Salt Pepper’ (Botswana) and ‘Boogy Boy’ of John Wellmann (Namibia) in third.
In the 1 400m sprint, ‘Waterloo Bay’ of J Kanaguiza, (Botswana) won gold with ‘Bohemian’ of Angermund Racing and ‘Black Market’ of Kariko Racing off the pace, in that order.
The 2 000m was a three-horse race between ‘Pacific Sound’ of J Kananguizi, ‘Black to Bowler’ of Junuis Racing, and ‘True Arrogance’ of M. Chimbamo (Botswana) – finishing in that sequence.
In the shorter 1 200m sprint, ‘Waterloo Bay’ of J Kangootui claimed gold, with ‘Double Track’ of J. Kangootui and ‘King Kandara’ of Williams Joseph adrift in that order.
Local organiser Seretse Olibile applauded the Botswana government for its financial contribution to ensure the successful hosting of the event.
“Batswana riders came here well prepared but the biggest thank you goes to the supporters who came out in large numbers. In addition, let us give the organisers a pat on the back for their tireless work and unconditional dedication and commitment,” said Olibile.
He further urged local horse owners and riders not to despair just because they have lost. He encouraged them to engage in more races of such magnitude if they are to become more competitive.