THE SOUTH AFRICAN DERBY: THE SCOREBOARD TOPPING EQUESTRIAN SHOWDOWN

By Caroline Malan

South Africa’s greatest Show-jumping, Dressage and Showing extravaganza, The South African Derby show will be hosted at Kyalami Equestrian Park from 2-6 October 2019, culminating in the 1.50 SA Derby Showjumping Championship at 14h00 on Sunday 6 October 2019.

Tickets are available on www.TicketGenie.co.za, ranging from R300 general seating to R12 000 for a 8 seater VIP hospitality tables (please see the ticketing system for the various options), once again positioned on the top bank overlooking the majestic Bob Charter arena. With 35 confirmed sponsors on board to date, the SA Derby will be colourful, fresh, thrilling and everyone’s annual equestrian highlight.

Kyalami Park Club Chairman and esteemed showjumper Anne-Marie Esslinger says;

“Grandstands A, B and C will be sold at 70% capacity to ensure comfortable spacing and grandstands D, E and F at 90% capacity. Entertainment wise, we’ll have plenty on offer including the ever-popular pipe band on the Sunday. The SA Micro Derby will be on the Saturday (5 October) and the 1.40 Mini Derby on Sunday morning pre the main Derby. This is the most spectacular and exciting spectator show jumping event of the year, with a 1000m, 23 effort jumping competition over traditional natural type obstacles. The course is the same every year and has not been adjusted since inception at Kyalami Park Club in the year 2000. The current track was devised to be similar to the original one designed for Inanda Club some 55 years ago, so as to keep the flavour and tone of the event the same. The oldest Derby in the world stems from the 1920s in Hamburg – there the track remains identical every year in all respects and attracts over 40 000 spectators who come to watch the thrills and spills. This year our Derby will be as splendid as ever: that I can promise you!”

The competition in the other equestrian classes will be as strong as ever as 2018 champions such as Rita Gasser (Show Horse Derby and Working Riding Derby); Mariska Hogg (Working Hunter Derby); Siobhan Records (Dressage Derby) and Natalie Hogg (Compleat Horse Derby) have every intention of ensuring their trophies remain in their home trophy cabinets.

2018 SA Derby winner Kelly O’Connor says that her win on Hera van de Bien was something that every rider dreams of:

“We had our fitness at peak and our training had gone smoothly. I recall though waking up in a sweat on Derby morning needing to practice the star jump one more time. Hera had decided she wanted to win Derby and I’m grateful she took me along for the ride. She’s been incredible this year with a few placings in the ranking classes of the World Cups as well as places in the Reonet and Puresan World Cups. We also won the 2019 RNR South African Championships which is a real dream come true! My expectations for my girl this Derby will be for us to get around the track safely and keep all the fences up. As for placings: may the best partnership win! My advice for first time Derby riders is to make sure you and your horse are mentally and physically strong for this event. It’s not just another show: this type of event is in a category of its own.”

Kelly concludes that the Derby never disappoints with its enormous atmosphere and festivities:

“I believe we can expect something phenomenal this year. We have great riders and horses that will be put to the test and I believe the organizers put so much effort into creating a spectacle for the crowd’s entertainment. The after party needs no introduction, I just hope I’m able to enjoy it past 8pm this year!”

Kyalami Park Club would like to thank the below companies for coming on board:

Burlington Stables, Back on Track SA, Biogen, Capital Stud, Carolyn Steyn, CHG Equestrian, CMH Motor Group, Country Life Properties, Edu Wize Group, Equipage, Hobday Equestrian Enterprises, Horsebox Equestrian, Insurisk/CIB, iOCO Marketing, KUDA Sport Horse Insurance, Manor D’Or Stables, Mark White Nissan, Martin Collins SA, OXA Equestrian Supplies, Palladian Consulting Service, Puresan, 1,2 Smile, Reonet, Revil Stables, Riders Saddlery, Sheraton Hotel Group, The Courier Guy, Topbet, Western Shoppe, Witpoort/Rachel Diamond, Four Seasons Hotel Group, Val Saint-Lambert Crystal Factory, Pela Graca Stud, Steyn Diamonds, Whitley Neill.

Ticket options:

R300 for Grandstands D, E and F

R400 for Grandstands A, B and C

VIP Hospitality sold per table and includes food (cash bar provided)

• R12000 for 8 seater table
• R7500 for 6 seater conversational table