Pony Rider Open Equitation Champion of South Africa
The Pony Rider Open Equitation Championship saw a very high standard of riding amongst the talented young athletes who took part. Eight riders progressed to Part Three of the competition, and Zara Pappalardo and Rooigras Elle, representing Gauteng, emerged victorious from Part Three with a whopping eleven-point lead.
Here at HQ Pony, we’ve interviewed Zara before and have always been impressed by her work ethic, dedication to her horses and ponies, and professionalism in the ring. We’re so delighted to see her win this Championship and much-deserved title. Congratulations, Zara!
HQ: Zara, can you please tell us a bit about yourself, including your age, when you started riding, and what disciplines you do?
ZP: I’m 13 years old. I started riding when I was very young and went to my first lead rein show when I was 18 months old; I rode a section A Welsh Pony called Meifod Temptation that my granny bred.
Currently, I compete on Regenesis Vet Rooigras Elle in Pony Open Showjumping and Pony Rider Open Equitation and Vix in the Junior 1.10m classes and Junior Novice Equitation.
HQ: Can you tell us about the ponies and horses, past and present, that have been important in your career?
ZP: My first pony was called Ben Hur Nic. He was a Section B Welsh pony, and I learned to ride on him. He was the sweetest soul. He lived to the age of 40!
I also rode Boesman, who is now retired. He taught me how to go fast and gave me all the confidence I needed!
I have a pony, Carel Hancke Donatello, who I jumped to the 1.00m classes, but unfortunately, he went unsound. I produced him from a Prelim Dressage pony and ultimately did Elementary Medium Dressage on him. He helped me understand how vital dressage is, which really helps me in my riding now.
My current Open pony is Regenesis Vet Rooigras Elle, a purebred SA Boerperd. I produced her from the 80cm to the 1.10m classes in a year, and she is just amazing! She had colic surgery a year ago, and she’s back better than ever!
My Junior horse is Vix, who I started riding when Ellie had her surgery. I’ve been on her for just one year, and we are in the 1.10m classes!
HQ: What classes did you enter at SA Champs?
ZP: I competed in the Pony Rider Open Equitation, Pony Rider Open Showjumping, Pony Rider 90cm Showjumping, Junior Novice Equitation and Junior 1.10m Showjumping.
HQ: How did you prepare for the Pony Rider Open Equitation class? Can you tell us how the Championship class went, how you found the pony you rode in Part Three and how you felt about your rounds?
ZP:I have been preparing for this for the past three years! I was second in this competition last year by 0.5 marks, and this year, I was determined to be better. I worked on my flatwork part of the test with my coach, Zdenek Muchna, and we planned a few ideas. I was fortunate enough to also have a lesson with Mandy Johnstone in preparation for the show. My Part One was great, and Elle behaved and didn’t buck in the lengthened canter; she can sometimes be a little cheeky! The Part Two jumping round felt good, and Elle was positive and forward to the jumps.
I was so excited when I heard I received a 20 from one of the Judges! I had a big smile and patted and hugged Elle. I was so proud of Ellie! In Part Three, I rode Bodenhausen le Chocolatier, owned by Zara Goeller, and he was so good with me!
I was super nervous before going into the arena and went in with no expectations, but I won by 11 marks! The result I achieved would not be possible without the team backing me the whole way!
HQ: What are the most important things to focus on to do well in equitation?
ZP: Your appearance and the way you ride are very important because the Judges look at the way you ride from the moment you enter the arena. The position of your lower leg, if you are sitting up straight, if you are carrying your hands – these are just basic things that can get you extra marks! I also advise that you plan your test in such a way that you show off all the things you do well. Finally, my advice is to be neatly turned out; my mom always makes sure Elle looks like she’s going into a showing class for equitation!
HQ: What are your plans with your horses going forward?
With Ellie, I definitely want to continue in the 1.10m classes and with Vix, I want to get up into the Junior Opens. My short-term goal is to win a few more classes on Ellie and be in the 1.20m classes by the end of the year with Vix. I ride ponies for Pony Perfection and would like to produce them for the Open pony classes as well. My long-term goal is a dream that I have to go ride in Italy. I would also love to compete in the Derby and the President’s Cup!
HQ: What is one equestrian title that you would love to win one day?
The Pony Open Equitation was a big win for me; Elle and I also won the first SA Pony Rider Indoor Grand Prix at Maxwell’s Equestrian Centre in June. That was also an amazing win. But in terms of future titles, definitely Derby or one of the other big titles!
