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Work riders & farriers graduate
By Ronny Madikane
NINE work riders graduated last Friday afternoon from Highveld trainer James Maree’s yard at Eikenhoff, south of Johannesburg.
Maree congratulated all the hard workers and thanked role players who had made it possible for the skills development process to be a success. Graduates will have something to look forward to, at the end of the day, he said.
Pictured above are some of the graduates and Racing Association CEO Clyde Basel, who presented the awards at the ceremony.
Maree also pointed out that to those who did not make it are welcome to return and have a second try at the course.
He expressed special thanks to Henry Merwitz, who donated caps, T-shirts and whips for every graduation at Eikenhoff – and also to jockeys Marthinus Mienie and Piet Nhlapo for helping with the riding tuition.
Maree encouraged the work riders to be passionate about their jobs. But he added that remembering the basics is very important – sit, balance and grip are the foundations of all riding skills.
Learners have to complete the first two stages of the course in order to ride in the races.
The work riders’course was started in 1999, with the main objective being to develop skills in work riding itself. However, today work riders have races of their own – thanks to the Thoroughbred Racing and Development Centre at Eikenhoff, where Maree is tutor-in-chief.
At last Friday’s graduation, three categories of learner received recognition.
Basic Horsemanship was passed by five riders: Shadrack Macha, Melikhaya Rangana, Mziwoxolo Maqhiya, Siyabonga Ndlebe and Vuyisani Matiwani.
The four who passed Basic Horsemanship and Basic Work Riding were Masixole Mayekiso, Sipho Msawule, Paulos Khoza and Aleczandre Phelembe;
The trophies were divided into three sections. The Most Improved Rider prize went to Melikhaya Rangana, the Most Promising Rider to Paulos Khoza and Most Enthusiastic Rider to Sipho Msawule.
After presenting the awards, Racing Association chief executive officer Clyde Basel praised the Racing Trust for the giant steps it had taken in assisting work riders. He also thanked Robert Moore for support and everybody else who had contributed to the success of the work riders skills development programme.
He ended by encouraging the graduates, saying: “There is nothing to lose if you don’t give up.”
The public is welcome to come and watch the work riders exhibit their skills in the inaugural three-raceday Work Riders’ Challenge, introduced by Phumelela, the Racing Association and the Thoroughbred Horseracing Trust from this season.
The Challenge, which carries R50 000 in prize money for the riders and an RA Highveld Feature Season award, is comprised of the following race meetings:
Vaal Turf, Saturday, 20 December 2008
Turffontein Standside, Sunday, 8 February 2009
Turffontein Standside, Monday, 27 April 2009
The Racing Trust is providing an invaluable helping hand in skills development within the horseracing fraternity, and people have been surprised at the progress of the Racing Trust Farrier School, which was started at the beginning of this year at Maree’s stables.
Eight farriers graduated after completing a first year at the Farrier School: Alcindo Malite, John Mdebe, Richard Mnisi, Kabelo Moroka, Bongani Mdluli, Matthews Mahlalela, Thabo Njazi and Abel Mabusela.
According to Willie van der Walt, tutor in the Farrier School, “This all goes with passion, because they started as a group of 18 learners but only eight made it to the end of first year. All the graduates we have here are keen to learn; they are fast learners.
I am very surprised because, in a short period of time, they are already doing well practically under my supervision.
“I treat them as my kids, with the help of my wife Theresa. We are looking forward to the second year, where they will have more confidence in horse shoeing, and at the end of third year they can be on their own as qualified farriers. Thanks to the Racing Trust for sponsoring the project and making it such a success.”
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