Simoné Vermeulen is a dedicated young rider who excels in both showing and dressage with her gelding Heir to the Throne. This year’s Youth Champs is her last as a Junior, and she certainly made it count. Here, we catch up with her on her exceptional showing performance.
HQ: Congratulations on your outstanding performance at Youth Champs! What does it mean to you to be the 2024 Junior Open Showing Champion of South Africa?
SV: It means the world to me! I know very well that as much as a lot of training goes into being a champion, there is still a factor of luck and a need to believe in yourself and your horse. Although I put in all the hours with my incredible trainers, something small, like a horse not travelling well, can play a huge role. But as Samuel Goldwyn says, “the harder I train, the luckier I get”. On top of that, it is incredibly hard to find a horse who is willing to let strangers (i.e. the judges!) ride him or go round foot perfectly for nearly 45 minutes a class. I am very fortunate to have a horse like Heir to the Throne. After the Supremes, when we got down to the stables, I burst into tears of gratitude for my horse and the amazing team around me who made it all possible!
HQ: How did being part of the winning Gauteng Open Showing Team feel?
SV: I was very nervous in the weeks leading up to the show as the Eastern Cape had a very strong team last year, but the morning of the team event, I just told myself as much as this was a team thing, everyone just had to do their part and do it well. I knew I had to get myself into the right mindset to get my horse and me into that well-oiled machine that we have been lately. I knew that each and every rider in the team had it in them to bring home gold for Gauteng. I was privileged to be part of such a talented team!
HQ: Tell us how the show went for you generally. What were the highlights?
SV: I loved every second of it! The previous 2022 Youth Champs in Shongweni was such a fast-paced and high-stress show for me that I didn’t fully embrace the experience and take in the moments, but this year, I focused on enjoying my last year as a Junior with my family and friends. This show taught me to appreciate the small victories that allow those big ones to come!
My highlight was the compliments I received on what a lovely ride Heir to the Throne gave the judges because I schooled him myself to provide that comfortable ride and adjust to anyone’s riding style.
HQ: Tell us about your special boy, Heir to the Throne.
SV: He is my partner in crime, my best friend, my heart horse, my teacher and the best boy ever! He has such an incredible temperament but is still full of personality. He is a go-getter like me and fully believes he is only a chestnut because he eats so many carrots…
We actually bought him from the Shongweni surrounds back in 2020, but he came up from Natal a week before COVID hit, so we only properly started our partnership at the beginning of 2021. Although our journey hasn’t been easy I wouldn’t change it for the world. He is the perfect horse for me because he knows when I am having a bad day and need a schoolmaster or when he can push me to be a better rider for him.
HQ: Do you ride other disciplines? If so, which ones?
SV: My other passion is dressage. I currently compete at the Medium level and was fortunate to be a part of the Gauteng Open Dressage team this year. Our team brought home a silver medal for Gauteng. Dressage is the discipline where we can show off our fancy footwork.
HQ: Would you recommend showing as a discipline to other riders and if so, why?
SV: I fully believe that every horse and rider should enter showing shows. Showing is the basis of everything! It encourages correct riding and the correct way of going for your horse. It requires your horse to show manners both under saddle and on the ground. It rewards correct conformation that will help keep your horse sound for longer. It teaches your horse to stand still and behave whilst ridden both alone and in company! It is the best discipline for green horses or riders to start in!
HQ: What is your advice to someone starting out in showing?
SV: Focus on the basics and hold on to your goals. One day, it will all fall into place. It is a journey, and the end results are worth it. Showing has recently brought out a new handbook for FAQs and the basics, which is very helpful. I advise you to get a copy!
HQ: What are your plans for the future?
SV: I would love to add another incredible horse like my boy to the family! I am taking a gap year next year to shadow some vets and get some work experience before I am off to study equine surgery. Although it is a long degree, I look forward to it and working with my passion every day.
Thank you to HQ for allowing me to share my dreams and passion with you!