WOW – what a show!
Do yourselves a favour, next time Misty Meadows hosts a show, go and a have a look. As a rider based in Kyalami I am spoilt for choice when it comes to good show venues right on my doorstep, so I don’t usually have to venture very far. But when the kids have qualified for the Gauteng final, mom has to make an exception and drive the 60km out of her comfort zone, and into the far outskirts of Pretoria. Knowing that the show had nearly 2000 entries and would be running eleven arenas I was expecting temporary fencing, make shift warm up areas and general chaos – call me a pessimist!
Immediately on arrival at Misty Meadows I was struck by the attention to detail and massive organisation that had gone into running this show. Unseasonal winter rains did not deter anyone and the show seemed to run like clockwork right from the start. Grass and sand arenas with super warm up facilities, kilometres of Coramandel fencing, tuck shops, five star bathrooms, and don’t forget the basket of complimentary carrots at every arena entrance for all the equine competitors.
The results could have been published quicker for equitation and dressage classes but for those lucky enough to win one, the rosettes made up for the delay, glorious big ones with zebra ribbons to add that uniquely South African “gees” that Pretorians are so good at. Too many classes and too many winners for me to mention, the full results should be up on the SANESA website shortly. Good luck to those who were successful at Misty Meadows who will now go on to represent Gauteng at the SANESA Finals in September.
The picturesque Misty Meadows show grounds:
