The KZN Breeders Dressage Challenge Awards took place at the Summerveld Training Centre Clubhouse, with forty riders and their families who took part in this year’s KZN Breeders Dressage Challenge in attendance – enjoying watching the racehorses work whilst sipping on Champagne and orange juice and having breakfast.

For many it was the first time at the Clubhouse and watching the racehorses work, makes the it all the more evident of how far their Thoroughbred dressage horses have advanced and the ability of the Thoroughbred to transform from one extreme sport to another – a sport requiring great precision, dedication and discipline.

The KZN Breeders first began sponsoring in 2014, this being the second year running has seen a greater increase in entries this year and even more riders and their OTTB’s (Off The Track Thoroughbreds) are signing up to participate in the Challenge next year, for which there are more exciting plans in to improve in progress.

Trainer Craig Eudey kindly provided some insight into what everybody was seeing on the track, explaining the routine and work of a racehorse each day and pointing out the various exceptional tracks and facilities Gold Circle has installed at Summerveld.

Sally McGrath handed out the Awards, and congratulations to the 1st placed Cayla van der Walt and her American Thoroughbred Ticket To Paradise, who have a special story to tell.

Cayla and her parents lived in Ohio and when they decided to relocate back to South Africa, they brought Ticket To Paradise (known as Elliot) back with them. It has certainly paid off, with Cayla and Ticket To Paradise making the KZN Junior Novice Dressage team, competing in SA Junior Champs in Johannesburg this December.

Adi Weerheim, who kindly doubled up as official photographer for the Awards ceremony received the Special Achievement Award on Bella’s Magic. She has had consistent performance throughout the year and also a member of the KZN Adult Novice Dressage Team who competed in Johannesburg earlier this year.

The highest scoring KZN-bred Thoroughbred went to last year’s winner, Golden-Acres bred Centennial and Heather Cochrane.

WINNERS

1st – Ticket to Paradise – Cayla van der Walt

2nd – African Drum Beat – Jennifer Smith (Owner Vanessa Gilks)

3rd – Bella’s Magic – Adi Weerheim

4th – Lagoon – Melissa Boulind

Special Achievement Award – Bella’s Magic and Adi Weerheim

Highest Scoring KZN-bred Thoroughbred – Centennial and Heather Cochrane

A hearty congratulations to all concerned and thank you to all who attended in the wet and misty weather, a big thank you to Adi Weerheim for the beautiful photos and to Sally McGrath for the organisation and management of the dressage side of the KZN Breeders Dressage Challenge!

Thank you to our sponsors for making the evening the success it always is, our magnificent host Graeme Hawkins, with images and film kindly provided by JC Photos and Gold Circle.

We look forward to another fantastic season ahead!

KZN BREEDERS AWARDS 2015 WINNERS

OUTSTANDING 2YO COLT – sponsored by Piemonte Stud
Nominees:
Just As I Said
Mogok Master
Rabada
Winner: Rabada
Breeder: Summerhill Stud

OUTSTANDING 2YO FILLY – sponsored by Equine
Nominees:
Royal Pleasure
Lala
Winner: Royal Pleasure
Breeder: Team Valor International

OUTSTANDING 3YO FILLY – sponsored by Choice Carriers
Nominees:
Patchit Up Baby
By Jove
Bountiful Harvest
Rosalie
Winner: Patchit Up Baby
Breeder: Mr Anton and Judy Procter

OUTSTANDING OLDER MALE – sponsored by Epol
Nominees:
Futura
No Worries
Wild One
Bezanova
Judicial
Winner: Futura
Breeder: Guy Murdoch and Mike Jolly

OUTSTANDING OLDER FEMALE – sponsored by Gold Circle
Nominees:
Fortitude
Virgo’s Babe
Pej
Whatalady
Winner: Whatalady
Breeder: Clifton Stud

OUTSTANDING SPRINTER MALE – sponsored by Racing Association
Nominees:
No Worries
Sheik’s Braashee
Uncle Tommy
Winner: Uncle Tommy
Breeder: Summerhill Stud

OUTSTANDING SPRINTER FEMALE – sponsored by Odds On Colours
Nominees:
Pej
Winter Star
Virgo’s Babe
Winner: Virgo’s Babe
Breeder: Midlands Thoroughbreds

OUTSTANDING MIDDLE DISTANCE MALE – sponsored by Piemonte Stud
Nominees:
Bezanova
Futura
No Worries
Judicial
Winner: Futura
Breeder: Guy Murdoch

OUTSTANDING MIDDLE DISTANCE FEMALE – sponsored by Just As Well (USA)
Nominees:
Whatalady
Fortitude
Admiral’s Eye
Winner: Whatalady
Breeder: Clifton Stud

OUTSTANDING STAYER MALE & FEMALE – sponsored by Equifeeds
Nominees:
J’s Outsider
Lion’s Emblem
Wild One
Patchit Up Baby
Winner: Wild One
Breeder: Scott Bros

BROODMARE OF THE YEAR – sponsored by Gold Circle
Winner: Cousin Linda
Breeder: Summerhill Stud

STALLION PROSPECT OF THE YEAR – sponsored by Clifton Stud
Winner: Visionaire

STALLION OF THE YEAR – sponsored by Thoroughbred Breeders Association
Winner: Kahal

BREEDERS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – sponsored by Summerhill Stud
Winner: Clifton Stud

LEADING BREEDER OF THE YEAR – sponsored by Almiray Vet Practice
Winner: Summerhill Stud

SPECIAL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – sponsored by Spurwing Horse Feeds
Winner: Mr Des and Robin Scott

ANITA AKAL INDUSTRY AWARD
Winner: Koos De Klerk

KZN BREEDERS HORSE OF THE YEAR – sponsored by Gold Circle
Winner: Futura

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