TOYOTA EASTER FESTIVAL 2022

TOYOTA IS NEW HEADLINE SPONSOR OF THE KYALAMI EQUESTRIAN CLUB’S EASTER FESTIVAL

TEXT: Written for and on behalf of Kyalami Equestrian Park by Caroline Malan, The PR Machine (caroline@theprmachine.co.za).

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) is proud to announce that it has entered into a sponsorship deal with the Kyalami Equestrian Club. The partnership which kicks off in April 2022 sees TSAM providing monetary support to the much-loved calendar event. The main event at the festival is the 1.50m SA Outdoor Grand Prix, which has been running since 1975. However, the Easter Festival as with all sports, arts, and cultural events, was forced to take a mini-hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

“We are proud to add equestrian sports to the wide portfolio of sponsorships we are involved in, as TSAM. As the new official sponsor of the annual Toyota Equestrian Easter Festival, we share the Kyalami Equestrian Club’s vision of encouraging and inspiring all participants in the sport to push past their limits. In fact, this is similar to the message we have communicated through Toyota’s first global marketing campaign called ‘Start Your Impossible’, which was launched in 2017 when we announced our involvement in Olympic and Paralympic Games,” says Glenn Crompton, Vice President of Marketing at TSAM.

Kyalami Park Club (where the event will be held) proudly runs a development programme that offers assistance to talented riders from disadvantaged backgrounds who, without the support of the club, would not be able to further their careers in the sport.

Heather Mpofu, Event Director from the Kyalami Park Club says, “We have riders that are employed as grooms, riders with disabilities’, riders coming from single-parent households etc. Most of these riders compete on sponsored horses and Kyalami Park Club sponsors their club membership as well as show entries.

“Keep an eye out for Musa Maluleke who is a groom at Sunny Park Stables in Benoni. He has been a part of our development programme for a number of years now and is currently riding in the A1.20m classes. We also have Nhlanhla Vilakazi who works as a groom at Riba stables in Midrand, as well as Bonga Gumbo who works for Christelle van der Merwe as a groom.”

The Easter Festival is a perfect fit for Toyota. Year on year, the Easter Festival drives to new heights with greater fanfare, over-subscribed entries, excellent prize money, and rewriting record books. It’s all things equestrian over the Easter weekend in the annual competition that celebrates equestrian excellence of world-class standard.

The pleasurable and professional 10-day horse show will once again consist of Dressage, Equitation, Showing, and Showjumping, says, Anne-Marie Esslinger: Chairlady of the Kyalami Equestrian Park.

“I cannot adequately express my sincere gratitude to Toyota for onboarding this event – and I do believe I say so on behalf of the entire equestrian community. Such a partnership shall allow us to offer more to the professional riders, greater thrill to the fans, and still open the door to the first-time competitor. The horsemanship on display aligns itself to Toyota’s core values namely Communication, Respect, and Integrity, and I have no doubt that 2022 will be our best yet,” says Esslinger.

Over the years the show has incorporated a host of other activities such as Lipizzaner displays at the gala evenings, dog shows, vaulting, and western riding. Easter is family time which is why the show has catered for all ages throughout the event including activities such as a Toyota vehicle parade, a kid’s zone, and a variety of food and market stalls.

The pinnacle and show highlight will undoubtedly be the SA Outdoor Grand Prix, hosted this year on Monday 18 April in the Bob Charter arena at 14h00. The two-round competition sees the first round being set over 12 or 13 fences including a water jump, a double, and a treble combination. It’s the top 24 riders who will compete in this final event, with an estimated six to eight riders qualifying for the jump-off. Once again, the stage is set for the continent’s best, including 2021 winner Nicole Horwood, whom we hope will be defending her title by competing again this year.

With a refreshment area offering a wide range of food and beverages as well as a host of stalls selling equestrian equipment and pet loving and other products, why not join us and become a part of the Toyota Easter Festival history. The show will run from 9 – 18 April 2022 with free entrance.  Follow the show on social: Twitter: @ToyotaSA. Facebook: Toyota SA. Instagram: toyota_sa

Show highlights include:

• Pony Rider Toyota SA Outdoor Grand Prix
• Junior Toyota SA Outdoor Grand Prix
• Adult 1.50 Toyota SA Outdoor Grand Prix
• Other Showjumping classes from 80cm – 1.50m
• Toyota speed and 4 bar event
• Easter egg hunt
• Toyota Equestrian celebrity fancy dress
• The Philip Smith Memorial Equitation Championships and other Equitation classes
• Top Dressage competition
• Showing classes showcasing the best of our stunning 4-legged competitors