Kimberley’s golden girls gallop to glory on national stage

Two young riders from the Kimberley Equestrian Centre (KEC) have done the Northern Cape proud with outstanding performances in national competitions during the month of July, showing that determination, skill and a strong bond with their horses can lead to greatness.

Sian Snyman and Madison Kemp, both dedicated and talented equestrians, showcased their abilities in three different competitions held across the country, competing against the best riders South Africa has to offer, and delivering results that have firmly placed Kimberley on the national equestrian map.

Snyman shines in Johannesburg

First up, 16-year-old Sian Snyman, who, along with her thoroughbred Woza Silvano, travelled to Johannesburg to represent the Free State at the prestigious South African Youth Championships.

Sian competed in both Dressage and Show Jumping disciplines. In Dressage, she was part of the Free State Novice Dressage Team that secured an impressive second place overall, only narrowly missing gold to powerhouse province Gauteng.

However, it was in show jumping where Sian and Silvano truly stood out. Competing in the highly competitive 80cm Individual Show Jumping class against 72 riders from around the country, Sian delivered incredible consistency. In her opening class, she secured 14th place, but with just two seconds separating first from sixteenth, it was a razor-thin margin. In her next two rounds, she stormed to two consecutive fourth place finishes, missing out on the top spot by less than half a second.

To add to her accolades, Sian was part of the Free State Provincial Show Jumping Team, which once again clinched second place, just behind Gauteng.

Kemp crowned Champion of Champions

While Sian was soaring over jumps in Johannesburg, fellow KEC rider Madison Kemp made her way to Parys, where she and her trusted Boerperd companion, Calela Cyprus, took part in the Boerperd National Championships and the pair made an unforgettable impact.

The week-long event kicked off with Dressage, where Madison and Cyprus finished second in Prelim 1, thirdrd in Prelim 2, and earned the title of Prelim Reserve Champion.

The versatile Cyprus then entered the Open Classes with Simoné Jacobsz, daughter of the horse's breeder. Together they claimed the title in the “Geldings over 5 years” division and were named Champion of the Class.

Madison returned to the ring to compete in two age-specific classes: “Rider Under-13” and “Children’s Horse Under-13,” finishing Reserve Champion in both. These achievements earned her a coveted spot in the elite “Champion of Champions” finale, which pits the best of the best against one another.

In a field stacked with national-level competition, Madison and Cyprus delivered a standout performance and were crowned Champion of Champions, the top honor of the event and a massive accomplishment for the young rider.

Dominating at SANESA Finals

The dynamic KEC duo, however, didn’t rest on their laurels. Shortly after their success in Johannesburg and Parys, Sian and Madison travelled to Bloemfontein for the Northern Cape/Free State SANESA Finals, once again turning heads and collecting podium finishes.

Sian competed in six classes, walking away with a first place in Show Jumping 70cm Competition, another first in Show Jumping 70cm Accumulator, and first again in Equitation. He then picked up second place in Dressage Novice 2 and Novice Freestyle, and a third place finish in Dressage Novice 3 – a really impressive run of results. 

Madison, meanwhile, focused and calm as ever, competed in three events and once again left the judges impressed picking up two first places, in Dressage Prelim 2 and Dressage Prelim 3, and a solid second place in Performance Riding Level 1.

A bright future in the saddle

The exceptional results achieved by these young ladies are not only a testament to their dedication and training but also to the support they receive from their families, coaches, and the Kimberley Equestrian Centre.

Meanwhile, the Centre, which has become a breeding ground for local equestrian excellence, will be hosting a Cross Country Open Day event on Friday, August 9, from 3pm. The public is warmly invited to attend and watch these rising stars and many others in action.

With such promising talent in its ranks, Kimberley Equestrian Centre continues to raise the bar for competitive horse riding in the Northern Cape and beyond. And with riders like Sian Snyman and Madison Kemp leading the charge, the future of the sport in this region looks very bright indeed.