On behalf of the MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, it is with pleasure that we announce that the annual Dundee Traditional Horse Riding event will take place as scheduled again this year.
The race is normally held every year at the end of July, which is general considered as the horse racing month in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
This year will see a slight departure from tradition as the race will be held a weekend before the month end, so as not to co-inside with another major race in Durban on 30 July.
All eight districts are in the process of finalising their trials. The participating districts are: UMzinyathi, Amajuba, Ugu, uThungulu, and uMgungundlovu, Sisonke, Uthukela and Zululand.
Neighbouring provinces, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Free State have also participated in the past. The race has also drawn interest from neighbouring countries of Swaziland, Lesotho and Botswana.
Excitement is already building up in the small northern KZN town, once popular for its coal mines. Preparations are at an advanced stage.
The main aim of the race is recreational in nature. However, the government in conjunction with its public and corporate partners such as Gold Circle Racing are putting all efforts and resources to ensure that the initiative one day develop to the same level of the main stream racing events.
Other main partners are Endumeni Municipality, Umzinyathi District Municipality, Orange Grove Dairies, Capitec Bank and Love Life. The event also enjoys support of the Office of the Premier.
High stakes sponsored by both the department and its corporate partners provide scarce income for horse owners and jockeys, most of whom are unemployed. Last year saw the piloting of betting at the race for the first time.
Traditional Horse Riding had grown tremendously in the province since the intervention of efforts of the Department of Sport and Recreation six years ago. All eight racing districts now have organised leadership structures and race monthly with the support of the department.
The event has also seen the introduction of harness racing. This is a very attractive form of racing where the horse pulls a cart. Fashion shows have also added more glamour and it very popular especially with large number of young spectators.
The details of the race are as follows:
Date: 23 July 2011
Venue: Dundee Horse Riding Track (near the airfield)
Race time: 10h00 to 15h00
Entertainment: 15h00 to 17h00
Featured Acts: Professor, DJ Tira, Maskanda & local artists.
Entry is free.
Enquiries:
Mike Mthembu
Cell: 083 528 7911
Bheki Ncube
Cell: 082 575 4164
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Sport and Recreation
Dundee July Horse racing is back
Province
