With the success of this year’s Dundee July horse riding event still fresh in our minds, the Department of Sport and Recreation in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is to stage another similar high-profile race soon.
On Saturday, 12 November 2011, all roads will lead to the Sisonke Summer Cup at the remote Esidindini area in Kilimoni, a village in the small town of Creighton near Ixopo in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands. The annual race is named after the district municipality under which the town falls. This will be the third time that the race takes place in the open veld at Esidindini.
The Race is organised by the department with the support of the Ingwe Local Municipality and the Sisonke District Municipality. Gold Circle and Harness Racing South Africa also contribute financial support and expertise. Lovelife, government’s social partner, is also a critical stakeholder. The premier of KZN, Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize, is a big supporter of this form of racing.
The Sisonke Summer Cup is fast growing into a major festival, very much in the path of the Dundee Festival which has grown in leaps and bounds. The department is very optimistic about its potential.
Traditional or rural horse riding is unique as it involves unqualified riders and their day-to-day horses. They qualify to take part at this level through district selections. This form of racing is growing rapidly in popularity since the provincial government embarked on initiatives to regularise the popular pastime six years ago.
Contestants to this festival come from different municipal districts. The Eastern Cape has also accepted an invitation to participate, which now gives the event a national flavour. At stake will be more than R30 000 in prize money.
As in the previous events, there will be the so called “straight race” which showcases normal professional racing horses owned by the village dwellers. Most of these race-horses are retired but still in great form.
Race-goers will also be treated to great music and dance with a traditional bias by both local and national artists.
Entry is free and everyone is welcome.
Enquiries:
Mike Mthembu
Cell: 083 528 7911
Bheki Ncube
Cell: 082 575 4164
Another horse riding event in KZN to set the stage for the 2011 festive season
Province
