Bianca Mincione (Grade 7) and Gabriella Lubner (Grade 5) from Oakhill School were chosen to represent the Western Cape horse riding team to compete at the SANESA Inter-schools’ National Show in Johannesburg during the September holidays.
Both Bianca and Gabriella formed part of the 4 member Western Cape A Team in Novice Dressage. Their team was strong and finished 2nd overall, not too many points behind the winning team from Gauteng. Bianca riding Twilight scored 65,45% and 63,53% and Gabriella riding Billy Bob achieved 69,55% and 64,71%.
Lightning and rain storms added a bit of excitement during the show jumping rounds. Bianca and Twilight accumulated 4 penalties in both their 80cm classes and finished 21st and 27th out of 41 competitors. Gabriella and Billy Bob did very well, going clear in both rounds and finishing 7th and 12th out of 48 competitors in their 70cm classes.
Bianca was the only Level 4 competitor from the Western Cape and Gabriella was the only Level 3 competitor representing Western Cape in the Primary School Performance Riding classes. Even with all their elbow grease, dedication and perfect turnout, it was an impossible task to achieve a place amongst such gorgeous ponies!
Gabriella also competed in Equitation and finished a creditable 15th out of 39 competitors.
Oakhill (Primary School) finished 2nd on points after all the (qualifying and regional) events, so a huge congratulations to all the Oakhill riders. The Western Cape Primary School team finished 3rd overall at Nationals behind Gauteng and North West. The full Western Cape team, comprising both High Schools and Primary Schools, won the Spirit Award at the Parade, held during the 3 day show.
