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Jessica Manig received her Western Province medal after WP won the SA National Junior Dressage competition and were declared the overall winner and SA Dressage Junior Team winners. Jessica, a learner at Bergvliet High school, said “she can’t believe a shabby cart horse is now doing our province proud! He really is an incredible and extraordinary horse!”

The Western Province team included Ingrid Malan on Octavius, Nicola Mohr on Equifeeds Vaderlandsche Sport Shu, Jessica Manig on Orpheus and Lucas Khohlakala riding Voightskirsch Babette – Reserve Ella De Nicola riding Midnight Sun. Chef d’Equipe was Michelle Morreira. Jessica came 3rd in the Musical Kur with Western Province securing a 2nd and third place in this event. Jessica also was placed 5th in the Junior Elementary 1 test.

Orpheus is so loved and adored. He came from Bonteheuwel and was a cart horse. Jessica bought Orpheus from a lady in Tokai who bought him from the township, and has owned him for about 10 years now. He is an integral part of Jessica’s family. As he was a cart horse, he never “reigned back” as cart horses are not expected to walk backwards. Huge thanks to Anna Buchanan who managed to teach him that before the show. Also Orpheus was terrified of cracking sticks and whips and it took a while to desensitize him to these sounds. Orpheus has a distinct long fringe which covers his eyes, so we all laugh at how he manages to see anything!

In his stables he is known to have his little afternoon nap from 11am – 1pm to ensure that he is not too crabby with his house mate Al Shama, who he loves to boss about. Orpheus has huge presence, immense pride and a sense of humor. There are so many stories about this magnificent horse, but most of all, we could not imagine not having him in our family!

SA Championships was an interprovincial show hosted by the Western Province Horse Society at the Cape Hunt and Polo Show Grounds in mid December 2009. Horses came from many provinces and it was great to see the top horses competing in the following disciplines: showing, equitation, show jumping and dressage.