Chelsea Preparatory learners, Tess Birkett and Megan Chalker, will soon be riding their way to represent KwaZulu-Natal in the upcoming South African National Equestrian Schools Association Competition in Kyalami, Johannesburg.
Tess, who is currently in Grade 6, has been selected for the A team for Equitation as well as the B Team for show-jumping and working hunter. “Her love for riding started at a young age wherever there were pony rides being offered. She then began riding with her sister at new market stables in the years to follow,” said Tess’s mom, Pippa Birkett. According to Birkett, the little outdoors and animal enthusiast loves going to school, reading and playing various sports such as netball and hockey. “Horse riding, although it looks fun, is hard work. It has taught Tess to keep trying and to reach for her dreams. She has learnt to be brave and has developed such a passion for life. Her favourite place to be on a Saturday is at Galloping Winds stable in Ballito, grooming and bonding with her pony, Lucy,” added Birkett. Grade 4 learner Megan Chalker who has been selected as part of the A team for Equitation, working riding and dressage as well as the B team for show-jumping, has been described as a child who lives and breathes horses.“Horses for Megan started as far back as three years old. We moved from Johannesburg in 2014 when Megan was three and have fond memories of visiting Giba Gorge ponies as well as pony rides after pre-school around the arenas of the Mount Edgecombe Riding Stables,” said Megan’s mom, Tracy Chalker.
Chalker added that only after a year of riding lessons in a circular area, Megan flourished and now four years later has moved through the ranks of school ponies. “She spends as much time as she possibly can at the stables and when she is not able to ride she is grooming, cleaning and helping others with their ponies. Even when at home the dogs get made to jump courses in the garden or the lounge over broomsticks and dining-room chairs. Birthdays and Christmas presents are a breeze as you can imagine anything ‘horsey’ goes.” Chalker concluded that horse riding has had many phenomenal benefits towards Megan, stating that it has improved her little girl physically, mentally and emotionally, adding that on some days the pony enthusiast could be found happily playing in the hay.
