Silverwood has always been about family, horses, and a shared love of the simple joy they bring. My name is Karen, and my brother Andre and I first learned to ride together in the 1960s at a small farm riding school outside Plettenberg Bay, where our family is from. Horses have been part of our lives ever since.

That early spark became a lifelong passion when our family bought Silverwood and moved here in the early 2000s. Andre has managed the stables for most of that time, apart from the years when the stables were rented out. Between us, we bring decades of experience and a shared belief in running a yard that is friendly, professional, and grounded in genuine care for both horses and people.

My own journey with horses began on a mischievous little Shetland pony called Witvoet, who took great delight in unseating me at every opportunity. Riding took a pause during my school, university, and early working years as a newspaper reporter, but one beach ride in Noordhoek changed everything. Within months I had bought my first horse as an adult, a beautiful but spirited four-year-old Thoroughbred, and rediscovered the feeling of true connection that only horses can give.

Dressage soon became my quiet passion. I trained in Noordhoek with wonderful instructors including Rian Verster, Jenny Taylor, Christiane Klootwijk and Sean Lewis. While I competed occasionally, what I have always loved most are those moments in the arena when horse and rider move together as one and the world seems to go still.

In 2002 I moved to Canada to marry my fiancé, and we made our home in Jasper National Park in the Rocky Mountains. There I brought on and trained a young Spanish Norman mare and spent many happy years exploring mountain trails and learning from her generous nature. After my husband passed away in 2019 and a wildfire in 2024 destroyed much of our small town, including my home, I felt the pull to come back to South Africa, to sunshine, and to Silverwood.

Now back in Morning Star, I feel incredibly lucky to be part of this community once more. With Andre’s deep experience and the help of a wonderful group of horses and riders, Silverwood has become exactly what we always hoped it would be: a place where people and horses can learn, grow, and simply enjoy being together.