The mare who built a dynasty In the modern sporthorse world, certain names echo far beyond the arena. They appear again and again in pedigrees, on start lists, and in the background of championship results. One such name is Carthina Z, a mare whose influence has quietly but profoundly shaped the landscape of international showjumping. She…
Horse Channel
A history In 1969, George Morris visited South Africa to perform clinics in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Salisbury (Harare, Zimbabwe). At this stage in Southern Africa, a great variety of riding styles and theories were practised. This likely stemmed from the diverse sources of horsemanship; namely, farming, military and imported techniques from Europe. However, it…
With Hamza Minty and Chad Cunningham At 17, Hamza Minty has dominated South African showjumping with a remarkable string of victories. Behind the success lies a systematic approach developed by coach Chad Cunningham - a method built on decades of study, classical principles, and an unwavering commitment to both horse and rider development. Seventeen-year-old Hamza Minty…
Q: I had a bad experience at a show, and now I'm terrified to go back. How do I rebuild confidence? A: Recovering from a negative experience requires patience and a graduated approach. Your brain has learned 'shows equal danger,' and you need to carefully teach it otherwise. Pushing too hard too fast can reinforce…
Q: I ride well at home but fall apart at shows. Why does this happen and what can I do about it? A: This is perhaps the most common competition challenge riders face. The phenomenon has clear physiological and psychological explanations. At home, you're in a familiar, low-pressure environment. Your body is relaxed, your mind…
Beyond the spots It has been a genuine privilege for us at HQ Magazine to get to know and work with Ruconu Appaloosa Stud, and, in particular, to spend time with its founder, Mariann. As a breeding operation, Ruconu really stands apart for its quiet intentionality. At Ruconu, temperament is not an afterthought, development is never…
The power or purposeful goals Text: Lara Ellwood of Insight Equine New year, big energy… 2026 energy looks good on you! Let’s be honest, by February, half our goals are hiding in a dusty corner next to the unused gym gear. We start with wild motivation, bold resolutions, and a ‘this is my year’ mindset, only for…
by Unbridled Marketing Text: Kim Dale, Founder of Unbridled Marketing If you run a horse business in South Africa, chances are you did not start it because you are an expert entrepreneur or an expert marketer. You started it because you love horses and saw a gap. The marketing and business savvy usually comes later, somewhere…
In this episode of Heard at HQ, we sit down with Amanda Anderson, founder of saddlefitting.us, to talk honestly about saddle fit, rider responsibility, and some of the most common misunderstandings in the sport. Amanda brings a refreshingly clear, evidence-based perspective to a topic that often becomes emotional or confusing. We discuss what good saddle fitting…
In this episode of Heard at HQ, we’re joined by Simon Cocozza, expert equine conditioning specialist and founder of Core Conditioning for Horses, to explore how strength, balance, and body awareness shape better performance, and healthier horses. Simon breaks down what true conditioning actually means, why it’s not just 'exercise,' and how developing a horse’s core,…
