The Founder, his activities and his Family

Twenty-eight years ago Piet Botha moved from his native land, Namibia, to South Africa to become the proud owner of this impressive farm. In 1991 he started to buy some of the best Friesian bloodlines from all over the country and since 1994 he started importing stallions from Friesland, the United States and Germany. Soon, it became the largest Friesian horse stud in the Southern Hemisphere, at one stage totaling almost 400 horses.

In the 1990’s he made the biggest contribution towards the exodus of Friesian horses from the Western Cape to the central and northern provinces where he opened a massive new market for these “black beauties”. Nowadays he also is very keen in crossing Friesian stallions with mares of other breeds. He believes that this breed, with its unique characteristics, could play an enormous role in producing crosses with a variety of qualities. He is also the first breeder of Norikers in the country.

About Piet and his Family

It is an ancient draught horse breed from Central Europe. Piet is member of the Friesian Horse Breeders’ Society of South Africa and for many years he propagated unity within the industry. In 2003 he started to organise an expo and auction at Geyerspan. It was with the intention to promote this breed even more. Nowadays it is called Hoofbeat. In 2007 he founded a company, National Horse & Livestock Promotions (NHLP), of which he became the first director.

The main aim of this organisation is to organise these Hoofbeat festivals at Geyerspan and in other parts of the country. Usually about fifteen horse breeds are involved and the festivities attracts many thousands of people from all over the country.. Since 2010 rodeo competitions are part of these festivals.

Piet and Hannetjie Botha have seven children, namely Monika, Hanneke, Charlotte, Annemarie, Karin, Hanelore and Hendrik. Annemarie is responsible for the administrative affairs at Geyerspan. Her spouse and joint farmer at Geyerspan, Soon van der Merwe, made a large contribution to the building of the impressive arena at the farm.

Hannetjie is well-known for her beautiful voice and should you attend the yearly festival at Geyerspan, you will definitely hear her voice in the arena or in the background!

Piet Botha

Hannetjie Botha