DIGITAL ISSUE 46 | 2026
Welcome to Issue 46 of HQ Pony Mag!
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Happy reading, and happy riding!
Lizzie and
the HQ Pony team xxx
Dr Lizzie Harrison | Editor
Designer | Mauray Wolff
DIGITAL ISSUE 46 | 2026
contents
Madison Hammond
Pony’s name: Cartier and Cochise
Sienna Harrington
Pony’s name: Merlin
Skylar Nia Moonsamy
Pony’s name: Ashgar Night Sky
Wilrike Nel
Pony’s name: Dakota Sky
PHOTOGRAPHY: DENFORD STUDIOS
Madison Hammond
Pony’s name: Cartier and Cochise
Province and School: Cape Town, Western Cape • Curro Durbanville Primary School
PONY: Tell us a little about yourself and your pony.
MH: My name is Madison Hammond but I go by Madi. I am 12 years old, in Grade 6, and proudly attending Curro Durbanville Primary School in Cape Town. I have been riding on and off for 10 years now.
I own two lovely horses: Cartier, my OG boy, who is a 16hh Warmblood gelding and is 19 years old; we bought him in Feb 2025.
My other boy, Cochise, my baby, is a 16.3hh Thoroughbred, and he is turning 13; we purchased him in March 2026.
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PONY: What disciplines did you compete in, and what was your SANESA journey like?
MH: This year for SANESA, I competed in Showjumping, Dressage, Equitation and Working Hunter. I was very blessed this year; despite a really bad broken ankle in May and three months off, I still qualified and went to Regionals and Nationals. I had the privilege of being selected as the Vice Captain for Cape Metro Team.
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PONY: What was your favourite SANESA moment?
MH: I started participating in SANESA last year (2025). It has been such an incredible journey. I would say that my most incredible moment from this year, and probably out of the two years I have been participating, was definitely my showjumping class at Nationals. The backstory is that I got into the arena after struggling with Cochise for 10 minutes in the warm-up arena, and once I got in, he wouldn’t move forward. He was just going on his hind legs and walking backwards and sideways, and I was so scared, so I got off right there, and I was crying and having a panic attack. The class continued with another rider, and then the kind judges said that if I would like, I could get on and do my round, so what did I do? I got on, and I cantered in and had the most amazing round of my life, and I won my class.
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PONY: What did you learn this year?
MH: This year I learnt that not everything is just about winning, but being able to get to where you are and living in the moment and enjoying every step of the way, and if I have one piece of advice for other young riders, it’s to never say you can’t do it because you can. I said I couldn’t do it, proved myself wrong, and did exactly what I said I couldn’t.
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PONY: What advice would you give someone thinking about doing SANESA?
MH: If I could tell any rider wanting to do SANESA anything for next year, it would be: do it. Not only do you get to have fun with your horse, but you also make amazing friendships along the way and get to compete against the most talented young riders.
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PHOTOGRAPHY: DENFORD STUDIOS
Sienna Harrington
Pony’s name: Merlin
Province and School: JHB, Gauteng • St Peter’s Prep school
PONY: Tell us a little about yourself and your pony.
SH: Hi! I’m Sienna, I’m 11 years old and I absolutely love horses! I started the year riding Merlin, who taught me so much. In September, I was lucky enough to get my very own pony, Chrysalis Princess Aurora. She’s a beautiful 9-year-old palomino pinto with blue eyes. We’ve only been together for a few months, but we’re already becoming a great team!
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PONY: What disciplines did you compete in, and what was your SANESA journey like?
SH: I competed in showjumping and working riding this year, starting on Merlin. It was a year of ups and downs, but I learnt so much. One of my proudest moments was coming 2nd in one of my round and qualifying for Regionals, which was really exciting. I didn’t make it to Nationals, but I’m looking forward to next season with Aurora!
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PONY: What was your favourite SANESA moment?
SH: Getting my first SANESA rosette with Merlin was really special! I also loved being part of the St Peter’s Prep team that won our category Prep Schools award. But some of my favourite memories are just spending time with my riding friends, cheering each other on and having fun at shows.
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PONY: What did you learn this year?
SH: I learnt that riding isn’t always about winning or jumping clear rounds. Sometimes things don’t go to plan, but you just have to keep trying! I also learnt how important patience, trust and teamwork are, especially when getting to know a new pony like Aurora.
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PONY: What advice would you give someone thinking about doing SANESA?
SH: Definitely give it a go! Don’t worry about making mistakes or not winning. You get to make amazing friends, learn so much and spend the day doing what you love with your pony. And if something goes wrong, just smile, give your pony a hug and try again next time! SANESA is the best fun!
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Skylar Nia Moonsamy
Age: 12 years old
Pony: Ashgar Night Sky
School: Tom Newby School
Riding School: Aintree
Province: Gauteng
Discipline: 60cm Showjumping
PONY: Tell us a little about yourself and your pony.
SNM: My name is Skylar Nia Moonsamy, I am 12 years old, and 2026 was my very first year competing in SANESA.
Although I was new to SANESA, my wonderful horse, Ashgar Night Sky, certainly wasn’t! At 15 years old, he is a gentle, calm and incredibly experienced horse with the kindest heart. He was exactly what I needed to begin this exciting journey.
I attend Tom Newby School on the East Rand and ride at Aintree, where Sky and I are affectionately known as the “Sky Duo.” We have been partners for just over a year, and I honestly couldn’t have wished for a better teammate.
My instructor, Bianca, and Louise, the owner of Aintree, believed in me long before I truly believed in myself. They saw something special in me, even when I struggled to see it, and for that I will always be grateful.
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PONY: Tell us about your SANESA experience and achievements.
SNM: This year, I competed in the 60cm showjumping classes, and what an unforgettable adventure it has been!
I still remember the excitement of placing third in my very first class. I felt as though I could conquer the world! Throughout the qualifiers, we continued placing within the top seven, and when I found out that Sky and I had qualified for Regionals, I could hardly believe it.
Sky gave me his whole heart in every round. He looked after me, trusted me and taught me to trust myself. Together, we went on to qualify for Nationals, and last month I was incredibly proud to receive my Ekurhuleni and Gauteng colours.
One of the most special parts of this journey was sharing it with my best friend, Danika Steyn. We had the privilege of competing both alongside and against each other, cheering each other on every step of the way.
This experience didn’t just make me a better rider. It made me realise that horses and showjumping are where my heart truly belongs.
PONY: What was your most memorable moment?
SNM: There were so many beautiful moments this year, but one of my absolute favourites was when Danika and I both placed in both our classes at Regionals. Sharing that happiness with my best friend made the achievement even more special.
My most emotional moment, however, was my very last competition with Sky.
Since SANESA, I have been fortunate enough to receive a horse of my own, which meant that my final round with Ashgar Night Sky would also be our last competitive ride together.
I don’t think I was quite prepared for how emotional that would be. I completed our final round with tears in my eyes, knowing that I was saying goodbye to a chapter that had changed my life.
Sky wasn’t just the horse I competed on. He was my teacher, my confidence when I had none, and my partner through every nervous moment and every little victory.
I may have finished that round in tears, but my heart was bursting with pride for everything the Sky Duo had achieved together.
Some horses teach you how to ride, but the really special ones teach you how to believe in yourself. Sky did both for me.
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PONY: What valuable lessons did SANESA teach you?
SNM: SANESA taught me that riding is about so much more than ribbons, rosettes and winning.
It taught me the importance of teamwork, patience, kindness and believing in myself, even when things feel a little scary.
I made so many wonderful friends this year, and I discovered that celebrating someone else’s success can feel just as special as celebrating your own.
Most importantly, I learned that a little encouragement can make a huge difference in someone’s life. Bianca and Louise believed in me when I needed it most, and I hope that I can give someone else that same confidence one day.
Kindness has a beautiful way of coming full circle, and I think that is one of the greatest lessons this journey has taught me.
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PONY: What advice would you give to a new SANESA rider?
SNM: My advice would be to enjoy absolutely every moment!
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to win. Enjoy the early mornings, the butterflies before entering the arena, the friendships, the laughter and even the rounds that don’t go quite as planned.
Be kind to your fellow riders, cheer for your friends, love your horse and never be afraid to try something new.
Every ride teaches you something, and every little achievement deserves to be celebrated.
Most importantly, believe in yourself, even if it takes someone else believing in you first.
Take the leap, because sometimes the most beautiful adventures begin with a little courage, a horse who believes in you, and a dream you never imagined could come true.
Wilrike Nel
Age: 12 years old
Pony: Dakota Sky
Province: Limpopo
Discipline: Showjumping, Equitation, Dressage and Prix Caprilli
PONY: Tell us a little bit about yourself and the pony or horse you ride.
WN: My name is Wilrike Nel, and I am 12 years old and in Grade 7 from Limpopo province. I started riding horses when I was just two years old, and I was hooked for life! Horses and equestrian sport are my biggest passion. I simply love everything about them, from the training and competitions to the special bond you build with your pony or horse.
I ride my beautiful skewbald mare, Dakota Sky, whom I have been riding since Grade 1. Sky was originally my brother Willie Nel’s competitive pony after he decided to move on to horses. We quickly bonded, and she became my heart horse. We have shared so many special moments and have grown together as a team. She is just one incredible pony and is worth her weight in gold. Sky is now 22 years old and will be retiring from competition after this season.
I also own a beautiful chestnut Thoroughbred gelding named Mendoza’s Magic. I am so grateful to have horses in my life, because they teach me something new every day and brighten my days.
PONY: What SANESA disciplines did you compete in this year, and what was your journey like?
WN: This year, I competed in Showjumping, Equitation, Dressage and Prix Caprilli with Sky.
It has been a very special and emotional journey because this was my final competitive season doing the 1.00 m Pony Showjumping classes with Dakota Sky before her retirement. Every competition felt more meaningful because I knew that I was making memories with my pony, who has been part of my life since Grade 1.
Throughout the season, I had to work hard, stay focused and learn from every round, whether it went exactly as planned or not. Competing in four different disciplines challenged me to become a more versatile and confident rider. Each discipline taught me something different about balance, precision, communication and trust.
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At only 12 years old, I already learned something that many riders take years to understand: success is not defined by how many times you win or by how many rosettes you win, but by how much you learn, how hard you work, and how much love you bring to what you do.
Being the only Limpopo rider in Open Equitation for the past two years has also been a very special honour. It has encouraged me to believe in myself, represent my province proudly and keep working towards my goals.
Most importantly, this journey reminded me that success is about much more than the result. It is about the partnership with your horse, the effort you put in, the people who support you and the memories you create along the way.
My biggest surprise and recognition with Sky was winning Pony Rider of the Year in 2024 and in 2025.
Recognition in 2025:
- Sanesa Limpopo Primary School Rider of the Year;
- Sanesa Limpopo Core League Rider of the Year;
- Sanesa Limpopo Equitation Rider of the Year
I am so very proud of these achievements and thank my parents for always believing in me as well as my trainer Catherine Potgieter for all the hours of practising and advice.
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PONY: What was your favourite SANESA moment of the year?
WN: My favourite moment was competing in the 1.00 m Pony Showjumping classes with Dakota Sky before her retirement. It made every round extra special because I knew how much she meant to me and how many years we had spent growing together.
Winning first place in the 1.00m Pony Showjumping class at SANESA Nationals was an unforgettable achievement, and earning second place in the 90cm Open Equitation class was another very proud moment. It made all the hard work worthwhile.
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I am also incredibly proud to be the only Limpopo Open Equitation rider for the past two years. Representing my province has been a privilege, and I will always treasure that experience.
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PONY: What did you learn this year?
WN: I learned that everything is not about winning. It is about practising hard, moving forward, keeping your chin up and enjoying the talent God has given me.
Things do not always go according to plan, and that is okay. Sometimes you have a difficult round or a disappointing result, but those moments can teach you just as much as winning. You have to learn from your mistakes, stay positive and keep believing in yourself.
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I also learned that patience, hard work and consistency are so important in equestrian sport. You cannot expect everything to happen overnight. You have to put in the effort, trust the process and remember that your horse is your partner, not just your way to a result.
Most importantly, I learned to appreciate every moment with Dakota Sky.
I believe God has given each of us special talents, and I want to use mine with gratitude, determination and love. I am excited about what the future holds and look forward to learning, improving and making many more memories with my new horse.
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PONY: If you could tell another rider thinking about doing SANESA next year, what would it be?
WN: Don’t be scared to try something new! Believe in yourself and your pony or horse, practise hard, and enjoy every moment. Don’t worry about winning or comparing yourself to others. Learn from every experience and have fun. Most importantly, be proud of yourself for having the courage to take part. You’ll make memories you’ll never forget!