Hold your horses

Staff Reporter|Published 2 months ago

The NRHA judges, from left, Elisa Reuter, Chris de Vries and Tracy Booysen.

Greg Garland riding his stallion, Black Ice Whizz (aka Palmer), in the Open class – pictured performing a sliding stop.

Lizelle Garland riding in the Open Class on Whizzin Off Code (aka Shiloh), at the Cape Summer Classic (CSC), held at Europa recently, a major milestone in South Africa’s reining community.

Lizelle Garland riding in the Open Class on Whizzin Off Code (aka Shiloh)

Greg Garland riding his stallion, Black Ice Whizz (aka Palmer).

The green Reiners lining up: Kathrin Hellbeck on Blue Sky Gunnas Divine, Dani Rademacher on This Cat Got Freckles, Sherry van Dalsen on Q It’s Reining Shadows and Ettiene Nel on Callaway Freckles Ringo.

The 10th annual Cape Summer Classic (CSC), held at Europa in November, marked a historic moment for South Africa’s reining community.

As the largest and most prestigious event on the National Reining Horse (NRHA) South Africa calendar, this year’s CSC featured the country’s first-ever three-judged NRHA event.

The judging panel for this landmark event included Elisa Reuter, Tracy Booysen, and Chris de Vries.

NRHA South Africa, an affiliate of the NRHA under the Oceania umbrella, continues to elevate the sport locally and globally.

This year’s CSC celebrated the progress of reining in the country.

South African judges are also making strides in the sport, says Chris de Vries.

“Last year, eight South African judges, including myself, successfully qualified through the NRHA Judges School, presented by Eugenio Latorre, Chair of the NRHA Judges Committee.”

These judges are now eligible to officiate local shows, with plans to qualify for international-level certification in 2025.

For those interested in learning more about this dynamic and growing sport, visit the NRHA South Africa Facebook page or their website.

Alternatively, you can reach out directly to Lizelle Garland at lizelle.garland@nrhasouthafrica.co.za

Lizelle and her husband Greg are pivotal figures in South Africa’s reining community, serving on the NRHA South Africa committee, where they work tirelessly to promote the sport.

“Both are qualified NRHA judges and own Garland Equine, a premier stud and training facility dedicated to nurturing the growth of reining in the region,” adds Chris.