A Dressage Clinic was held at two venues in Gaborone last weekend. These were Herbie’s Haven Stables and Havenspride Stud, Ruretse.
The visiting Instructor was Andrea Harrison and the Horse Society of Botswana sponsored her return flight from Johannesburg. Andrea was accommodated by Seamus and Bridget O’Neill at Herbie’s Haven Stables.
Andrea started teaching at 6.00am each morning and taught throughout each day with a short break for lunch or to travel between the venues. It was an extremely hot three days and the afternoon temperatures soared to 36 degrees on Monday and Tuesday and 38 degrees on Wednesday.
Andrea Harrison has been instructing in the discipline of Dressage in Botswana since 2013. She trained in Germany for six years. During this time she was competing for South Africa. She has her Protea Colours, SAEA gold, silver and bronze badges. She also won her Provincial Gauteng Colours and has been selected on a number of occasions to represent Gauteng. She is inspired by teaching dressage at all levels and to all ages and always hopes to help her clients to their fullest potential. She uses a small intercom system speaking quietly from her own mouthpiece to a speaker attached to the rider’s ear. This is a very effective method of communicating with the rider. Andrea has her own yard in Glenferness, Kyalami, where she has twenty-four horses, mostly owned by clients whom she trains and teaches. Andrea is a regular competitor at the big shows in South Africa.
We are very lucky to have an Instructor of Andrea’s calibre come to sunny Botswana. Last weekend she competed in the Mini Dressage Derby and the Main Dressage Derby at Kyalami, South Africa. Only the top three horse/rider combinations qualify in this final competition and the Riders and Horses are judged individually. A rider rides their own horse first and then the riders swop around and ride each other’s horses. Andrea won The “Best Rider” in the Mini Dressage Derby and her horse Callaho Godignon was placed second. Andrea won the “Best Rider” in the Main Dressage Derby on a horse named Callaho Socrates which was placed first. Andrea’s pupil Cortenay Botha won the Junior Derby on Legacy Bon Heur. The Judges were Caroline Potts, Lesley Mawhinney and Debi Van Wyk, all of whom have judged previously in Botswana.
Riders were overjoyed by their experience.
“Andrea has the incredible ability to help the rider make small but highly effective changes. She explains in such a clear and calm manner that her instructions are easy to follow. I am certain that my horse is eternally grateful to have me off his mouth. Once again, another fabulous clinic. Many thanks to all involved,” said one rider.
Another declared: “Thank you to HSB, Andrea, Herbie’s Haven and Penndragon Equestrian Centre for hosting this week’s Andrea Harrison dressage clinic. Although the heat has been on full blast, I feel this has possibly been my best clinic to date. I had two huge break throughs and I am eternally grateful to everyone who has played a part in getting Andrea here to assist us. Thank you very much”.