Equestrian Centre Annual Show and Termly Reflection
As we wrap up another wonderful year at the riding school, I want to take a moment to reflect on everything our riders and families have achieved together. What a journey it has been, a year of learning, a year of excellence, and a year filled with heart.
This year, our children have truly made us proud. Not only have they developed beautifully as riders, mastering new skills, stepping up to challenges, and showing real grit in the arena, but they’ve also grown tremendously as people.
Their kindness, sportsmanship, courage, teamwork, and willingness to support one another have been inspiring to watch. Seeing them cheer each other on, celebrate each other’s wins, and handle disappointments with grace has been one of the greatest joys of the year.
This term has been especially uplifting. Each week has been filled with enthusiasm, encouragement, and genuine joy. The atmosphere at the yard has been warm, positive, and supportive, from excited chatter at lessons to the friendships forming and the confidence growing day by day.
Your families’ positivity and engagement have played a huge role in making this term such a success. The energy you bring, the encouragement you show, and the love for our riding community have made this one of the most memorable terms we’ve had.
Our horses and ponies have helped guide our riders every step of the way, and together they’ve created so many special moments, first jumps, new achievements, personal breakthroughs, and plenty of proud smiles.
Thank you for the incredible support throughout the year. Your encouragement, kindness, and trust mean the world to us and make everything we do possible.
Clifton Annual Show
Our annual show this year was a true testament to the talent, dedication, and spirit of our riders and ponies. Every single child rode so beautifully, demonstrating not only skill and improvement, but outstanding horsemanship in every class. From quiet confidence in the warm-up to brave, committed rounds in the arena, our riders carried themselves with pride, respect, and maturity. And our ponies, the real heroes of the day, gave their all with patience, heart, and generosity.
We truly take our hats off to both riders and horses. Their partnership, trust, and hard work shone through in every moment, making this one of our most memorable and inspiring shows yet.
Results:
Best Rider Small Arena:
Class 1 - Hannah Greene
Class 2 - Lara Butt
Class 3 - Yumi Runghein
Class 4 - Emma Butt
Class 5 - Stella Duncan
Class 6 - Amelia Leslie
Class 7 - Zoe Ngwenya
Class 8 and winner of the Hancock Trophy - Grace de Bufanos
Class 8 runner up - Kaylee Klusener
Best Beginners:
Georgia Jones
Lara Butt
Olivia Davies
Kylie Marais
Jamie Kidd
Most Improved:
Beginner - Zoe Ngwenya
Runner up - Karli Mulder
Novice - Lucy D’Aubrey
Runner up - Georgie King
Intermediate - Ava Bredin
Runner up - Zara Miller
Open - Sophia Constantinou
Runner up - Emily Walker
Most Advanced:
Jennifer Skead
Sophie Miller
Best Rider Big Arena:
Class 1 - Juliette King
Class 2 - Siphokazi Nkabinde
Class 3 - Megan Goldie
Class 4 - Lucy D’Aubrey
Class 5 - Emily Walker
Class 6 and the winner of the Richard Mortan Trophy - Jennifer Skead
Class 6 runner up and winner of the CPS Trophy - Sophie Miller
Showjumping:
40cm
1st - Ava Bredin
2nd - Phoebe D’Aubrey
3rd - Siphokazi Nkabinde
50cm
1st and winner of the Julian Faux trophy (junior show jumper of the year) - Ava Bredin
60cm
1st - Lucy D’Aubrey
2nd - Emily Walker
70cm
1st and winner of the Mortan Cup (Novice Showjumper of the year) - Emily Walker
80cm
1st - Sophie Miller
2nd - Mila Mattison
90cm
1st and winner of the Studdet Cup (Senior show jumper of the year) - Sophie Miller
Other Awards:
Kinvig Trophy (horsemanship through adversity) - Ava Bredin
Bruce Smith Trophy (highest aggregate of Clifton shows for 2025) - Sophie Miller
Most Potential (judges selection):
Junior - Zoe Ngwenya
Senior - Juliette King
As we head into the holidays, we want to congratulate every rider on a fantastic year. We cannot wait to see what 2026 brings, more growth, more learning, more confidence, and more magic in the arena.
Wishing you all a happy, safe, and joyful holiday season.
Results from the shows held in the term:
SANESA Nationals: 8 -12 October
Jennifer Skead
Equitation Level 3 - 5th Place Individual
Equitation Level 3 - KZN Team - 4th
Showjumping 90cm Level 5 - 4th Place Individual
Working Hunter Level 7 - 5th Place Individual
Olivia Skead
Equitation Level 1 - 5th Place Individual
Showjumping 60cm Level 2 - KZN Team 3rd
Waterwoods Training Show: 26 October
Ava Bredin: 2nd - 50cm
Olivia Skead: 1st - 60cm
Siphokazi Nkabinde: 1st - Prelim Dressage
Una van Eeden: 1st - Pony Dressage
Petru van Eeden: 2nd - Dressage Class (eventing tests) and 3rd - 70cm
Lucy D’Aubrey: 3rd - 50cm
Miles Triggol: 1st - 50cm
Zara Miller: 1st - 60cm, 1st - 70cm and 1st - 70cm
Sophie Miller: 1st - 80cm