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ProSeries is a private initiative aimed at motivating, educating, developing and uplifting equestrians in Southern Africa. The idea is to do this through the media of sport in such a way that it is replicable and repeatable in location as well as in the most important aspects of horsemanship using international practical experience and knowledge.
ProSeries was born from the desire to learn more about training and competing dressage horses by means of watching classes/training sessions given by masters in the discipline, these being international riders, trainers and judges. Watching these masterclasses inspires and motivates riders to do better and improve their skills at any equestrian sport.
As many South Africans are unable to regularly fly across to Europe to attend training seminars and masterclasses personally, this is only a dream for many. To bring that dream to South Africa was an idea that was conceived during covid and grew in magnitude over a period of months before finally being born after a few glasses of wine in Stellenbosch when Andrea Harrison was with Karin Koep over a weekend for a training weekend at Rivendell Stud. Karin presented this embryonic idea to Andrea and a concept was developed only in March 2022. Both Karin me Andrea are competitive dressage riders, Andrea owns a yard, Glenwood stables in Johannesburg and Karin is the owner of Rivendell Warmblood Stud as well as having an MSc Agric in Animal science.
As Rivendell shows had come to an end of their lifespan with the passing away of its director Anne Marie Robson, it left some funds in the shows account, which Karin felt needed to be put back towards the riders who put them there, and she decided to use these funds to kickstart ProSeries. At that stage it was only ProDressage, as the first set of Masterclasses was a FEI dressage judge.
To raise a newborn idea takes a group of like minded, positive and motivated people, each with different skill sets. Sponsorship is much appreciated because it enhances the experience of every person participating in the event. ProSeries presented its first set of dressage masterclasses in Johannesburg at Hollyberry Hall and in Cape Town at Rivendell Stud, and were a huge success with waiting lists for riders.
The concept of paying as a spectator is a foreign principle to many South Africans whereas in other countries in the world where equestrian events are a more regular occurrence, it is seen as the normal.
We try to live by the principle that everybody wins through participations in ProDressage: the riders, the spectators, the visitors, the sponsors and the horses. As our country is such an amazing destination, our aim is to invite international equestrian professionals for an unforgettable holiday in exchange for four days of teaching. We custom-make and arrange their trip entirely to their wishes, dreams and expectations. They are welcome to bring family and friends to share their adventure with them. Some, especially top international riders, are not often able to take so much time off from their commitments and will have a shorter trip.
Being a judge, a coach or a professional rider overseas is a paid profession and therefore their time is money, and this money is in euros which makes it expensive in rands. To fly that person to South Africa, accomodate them accordingly as well as pay their daily fee, all adds up. Hopefully, eventually, we can reduce costs for all involved, but to get this initiative up and running and gain in momentum and to prove to the equestrian community that we will be consistent, reliable, transparent, approachable and professional will take time and we will need to continue to charge a minimum fee for all who would like to participate. You learn as much from watching a lesson and hearing over speakers what is being said, as you learn from actually sitting on a horse and having the lesson.
ProSeries consists of five sections, each with their own set of challenges and ways of presenting them.
ProDressage will present a minimum of four sets of masterclasses a year, with the aim of bringing a rider, and a trainer and a judge each of the times for variety.
ProJump will be presented in the same format as ProDressage, only difference being that there will be group lessons of no more than three in a group.
ProBreed will be presented annually in form or a workshop on equine reproduction. An internationally recognized expert will be presenting it in both Johannesburg and in Cape Town. There are so many people in the country who would like to know more about the how’s, the why’s and the how to’s of equine breeding. This is your chance to attend a two day seminar and to ask the questions or find the answers you have always wanted to find out more about. The first day will be more for people who are interested in perhaps breeding their mare. The second day, although open to anyone interested, will be aimed more at professionals within the equine reproduction industry such as vets, stud owners, managers or consultants.
ProFeed will be presented annually in the form of a seminar by an internationally recognized expert in their field.
ProCompete will be presented over a period of a week in Johannesburg and in Cape Town at the beginning of the competition year. It will be set up in the form of a trade fair with stalls, demonstrations and seminars on all aspects on the competition horse and rider. It will entail registered equine practitioners, supplements, retail, farriery, tack, etc.
ProSeries is all inclusive and not aimed at riders of a particular level or experience. Different presenters might request certain levels and experience, but online booking is non discriminatory and all are welcome to apply.
ProSeries hopes to create a sense of community within the equestrian environment and uplift all within it. ProSeries ultimately hopes to be profitable enough to subsidize international competitions in South Africa. When export hopefully opens up at the end of 2022, South African riders will hopefully be able to qualify for international events on local soil and ProSeries would love to be a driving force behind this kind of incentive with our connections made due to ProSeries with international experts.