SA colours for tentpegger
2006-11-23
A RIDER from Paarl is delighted after being included in the national equestrian tentpegging team.
Jana le Roux (22) qualified for the team after competing in the South African championships in Beaufort West in September.
Le Roux is no newcomer when it comes to representing her country.
Although it is the first time she has been included in the senior women’s national team, she has been part of the junior team in 1999 and 2000.
This ex-pupil of Paarl Girls’ High is currently studying Agriculture at the Wellington campus of CPUT. Next year she will be doing a practical course in winemaking.
Living on a farm just outside Paarl, Jana started horse-riding from a very young age. It was at the age of nine however when she first started competing in tentpegging.
Jana, who is a member of the Paarl Equestrian Tentpegging Club, is the only rider of the Western Province included in the team.
As she did from 2002 to 2005, Jana was again included in the Western Province team this year being chosen as captain.
All through her high school career Jana was also part of the Western Province junior girls’ team.
Horse riding is definitely a passion among the Le Roux siblings.
“All five of us love horseriding. It’s a passion of mine and very relaxing. My brother Cor and sister Tania also both represent South Africa in horse-riding,” says Jana.
Jana can however not take full credit for her achievements on the sportsfield.
The other half of the successful team is Donker, a nine-year-old Boerperd/Friesian cross.
“All three times that I was included in the national team it was while riding Donker,” Jana says with a smile.
Asked about her reaction when she heard of her inclusion in the team, Jana says: “I was shocked. You ride for three days straight and in the end you're really tired.
“They choose the top 10 riders and then these riders compete amongst themselves for a spot in the team.
“I made a mess of things on the last day, I guess it was the tension of knowing this is the final chance to qualify, but had a good run on the two previous days.”
Five riders, four competitors and a reserve, makes up the South African team.
The national team will travel to England early next year to clash with the host nation in a one-off test, after which they will compete in the World Games, which will be hosted in East Londen in October.
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