WINDHOEK – Namibia’s top junior and senior riders will this coming weekend grill each other for top honours when the Namibian Equitation Championships get underway, at the Nubuamis Riding Club north of Windhoek on Friday and Saturday.
The championships will focus on the rider’s ability from turnout over seat, their use of legs, hands and other aids. The riders’ overall performance and the handling of horses, including their jumping skills will also be put in focus. As per their respective age groups, the riders will have the option of taking part in the equitation of different degrees of difficulty, with the championship tests requiring a change of horse usually determined by way of a draw.
The NAMEF (Namibian Equestrian Federation) champions in each age group will be determined by way of their best three competition grading points of previous equitation shows for 2013 being added to the points awarded in the two championship tests being ridden on Saturday and Sunday. In the children’s competition, Laura Braune will be seeking to retain her title, while in the adult category her mentor Michelle Künzle will be vying for top honours. With the absence of last year’s junior champion Alexa Rack, who now trains in South Africa, competition among the most experienced junior riders is expected to be fierce. Another highlight of the show, which features a number of show jumping events, are the stud championships with Bodenhausen, Claratal and Voigtskirch Studs seeking to award the best riders of every age group over the entire show. Championship points are awarded in all competitions with riders being awarded additional points for the height jumped in each competition.