[dropcap style=”font-size: 70px; color: #052b51; font-family: ‘Droid Serif’, Arial, sans-serif;”] L [/dropcap] ittle Hannah Van Niekerk has barely been in the saddle for more than two years but she is already stamping her name all over the prize sheets at local shows. Hannah recently wrote a lovely essay about her ponies and her time at the recent SA Pony Rider Derby where she had a 10th, 8th, 5th, 4th, two 3rds, 2nd and first place on her two ponies. Here is what she had to say:

(We’ve chosen not to edit this post as it is just too adorable and we didn’t want to ruin that. So please let grammar or spelling mistakes slide). 

My name is Hannah Van Niekerk. For my 9th birthday I got my very first pony in January 2014, her name was Empress. Me and Empress was inseparable. Every free minute I had, been spend at the stable yard, horsing around.

From that very first day there on no stopping me from flying or should I rather say jumping. What I’m doing at the moment sure feels like flying. I wanted to jump and jump high.

My first show was a training show, February 2014, with poles on the ground. Empress and I ended up doing the 2014 SANESA, 40cm jumps. This was a good learning experience for me. We won the 40cm Ideal Time and Competition Victrix Ludorum. I also took part in Dressage, taking home another Victrix Ludorum.

Because I liked a bit of speed, my dad (who is the best dad in the entire world) bought me Tiara a Grey. Just like in the fairytales, every princess needs a Tiara.

We moved to Sunny Park Stables later that same year and my coach was going to be THE Nicola Sime – like, Oh my word!! I want to jump just like her.

Me and Tiara was doing good, improving on my skills and techniques. Like most girls my age, one is never enough. Scooby-Doo and I had an introduction one day at the stable yard, and I just had to have him. If there ever was a pony that makes me feel like I’m flying, then that is definitely Scooby-Doo.

I just competed in my first SA Pony Rider Derby at Kayalami Equestrian Park, jumping 1.10m. Now this is what you call fun. Jumping over water, going through a dike and a down a “huge” hill. I was so excited when I qualified 2^nd and 3^rd to do the finale at the derby. We worked very hard and my ponies did an amazing job.

I am still in shock at how good my ponies jumped for me. I love them to bits and yes, they got a lot of carrots.

I can’t wait to see where the 3 of us are going to next.