Glenellen Farm in Hout Bay is hosting the FEI Cape Town World Cup qualifier - this is the last and most prestigious leg of the South African League of the World Cup Show Jumping Championship. In addition this event is also an Olympic and World Equestrian Games qualifier.
All the top horses and riders will travel to the Cape to compete at this picturesque venue organised by veteran show jumper and doyenne of the equestrian industry, Western Province show jumper, Judy Louw.
A highlight of the show is that the top course designer in the world, Frank Rothenberger, will be jetting to Cape Town to design the course – a huge coup for the organizers.
This event is the only international show jumping competition in Cape Town and pulls visitors and competitors nationally to the Mother City creating a positive impact on our economy.
The local community of Imizamo Yethu residents benefit from employment by working both before and during the four day event. In addition funds raised will be going to the Heart of Healing organization, who bring about social transformation by creating sustainable social enterprises.
Featuring the cream of local and national riders at junior and adult level, the calibre of the competition has attracted spectators from all walks of life dispelling much of the elitism perception of this sport. Free entry makes this an attractive proposition for a leisure weekend with added attractions of Food stalls, entertainment, hospitality marquees and a children’s corner as well as the spectacular show jumping.
The kudos that Cape Town has in hosting this event is in danger of being lost since sponsorship is vital to maintain the level of the presentation and logistics required. At present Louw is seeking sponsorship from private individuals, local and national government, business and related organizations to retain our standing of being able to host World Cup events.
In 2008 when Louw went to Holland to buy a horse she was exposed to such top class shows in that Olympic year that she was determined to bring that expertise back to Cape Town. Her decision to take on the World Cup Qualifier in Cape Town saw Glenellen the host venue last year. The World Cup Qualifier had been held in Constantia for more than 13 Years prior to this. The move was a favourable one attracting more than 5000 people to enjoy this spectacle of top class national competitors. That it brought employment to many members of the local township community was one of Louw’s major objectives.
A passion for horses and riding has led Judy Louw all over the world. From running stables at age 12 to matriculating hastily at age 15 to follow her heart. Louw's early days saw her in Europe at 16 working at the German Olympic Stables. As a working pupil of Hans Winkler (five times Olympic Gold Medallist) she was able to travel Europe with him and learn from a master. Back in South Africa she met up with Bill Steincross, the USA team captain who is not only an Olympic Gold medalist in show jumping but is a violinist and publisher. Staying with him and his family in the States gave Louw even more impetus and honed her skills in riding and training.
Returning to South Africa at 18 Louw was assisted in buying Glenellen Farm in Hout Bay which to this day (36 years on) is one of the hubs for international shows and top class show jumping training. 60 horses and a staff of 12 Grooms saw the start of a highly successful venture which is still at its peak today. Many of the original staff are still on the farm and their children have been educated with assistance from Louw.
Louw's experience in show jumping - she reached top class at national level and has achieved Western Province colours 22 times, she was part of the SA team in New Zealand following our re-entry into world sport - led her to concentrate on training and running SA Championships and World Cup Qualifiers on the farm.
A contemporary of and firm friends with Gonda Betrix and Janie Myburgh her status in this competitive industry is without question and her passion for both training and showing the world just how well we can run championship events has seen her keeping show jumping alive in the Western Cape. With an international level arena, she runs graded weekend shows and training shows.
Need to know? Venue: Glenellen Farm, Hout Bay. For further information contact Judy Louw on 082 449 1458 or Derek Patrick 083 275 5284