DRASA training at Cairnbrogie
On Saturday, 18th September 2021, the newly formed Distance Riders Garden Route (DRGR) Club hosted their first official Distance Riding Association of South Africa (DRASA) training meet.
DRASA facilitates Competitive Trail Riding events through affiliated clubs throughout South Africa – where the focus is on paced distance riding and horsemanship. Their goal is to promote a long-lasting relationship between horses and their riders with the interests of the horses receiving far more weight than in traditional equine sports.
The DRGR were grateful to Cairnbrogie Farm who volunteered to host their inaugural Clinic, which went off without a hitch. While only a few entries were expected, the property hardly noticed the 44 entrants and 29 riders who participated on the day with Andrew Hill and his Cairnbrogie Livery Team erecting temporary paddocks and adjusting their existing cycling routes to handle the half-ton equestrians exploring their forest and sea-front farmlands.
A special thanks go to the DRASA Judges, who travelled from Gauteng for the weekend to teach the local club members all about this exciting discipline. This event would not be possible without Equi-Feeds, who sponsored prizes, and the Kranshoek Red Cross emergency medical team who were on standby and fortunately not called upon.
With attendees travelling to Plettenberg Bay from as far as Mossel Bay and George, the Garden Route Club was excited to see the level of engagement from the attendees. Anyone interested in joining or learning more about the local club are invited to connect directly with the DRGR Club Chair, Robin Thesen-Smith on 082 4583 583 or email.
While this first event was a great success, it was shorter than normal DRASA events – being a one-day clinic. DRASA events are normally held over a weekend and include judging on all aspects of horsemanship, including quality of temporary paddocks and care for basics of the horse’s needs such as access to water and appropriate fitness for the rides undertaken.
Members of the DRGR will stand to benefit from membership by receiving advance notice of any training days, events or clinics which will follow on from this wonderful first day out.
Follow our Distance Riders Garden Route club on our Facebook Page OR take a look at DRASA for more info about Competitive Trail Riding.