Horses and bull riding at the next Hoof-Beat
The next Hoof-Beat Festival, which will be held on Saturday, May 28 at Geyerspan, will be better than ever and will showcase some of the best horses and ponies of their respective breeds in the country.
According to the main organizer of the festival, Piet Botha, not even the most depressing situation in the country will hamper the occasion or the enthusiasm for it. “In fact, there will be even more activities than ever before. For instance, the first ever North-West rodeo championships (the riding of bulls and untamed horses) will be held here, starting at 15:00."
Ancient breed imported for the first time
In the past two years Piet Botha has imported twelve horses of the Noriker breed for the first time to South Africa. Six chestnut Norikers with golden mane were brought to Geyerspan two years ago, while three dapple-grey and three spotted horses of this unique breed arrived a few months later. The Noriker owes its development to Roman pragmatism and has been bred and developed over several thousand years in the mountain regions of Austria.
It is an attractive looking draught horse which Piet imported to South Africa to pull a beer wagon, built by himself and by his son-in-law, De Wet Steyl. The horses and wagon will be seen at the Hoof-Beat Festival, which will be held at Geyerspan on May, 29th. Piet foresees a great future for this breed in our country, especially in the tourism industry and as a working horse.
Norikers are strong and heavy draught horses, but not as heavy as Percherons, They are increasingly becoming sport horses and are being used both as driving and riding horses. According to Piet his new “children” are noted particularly for their calm temperament, sound limbs and surefootedness.
Experiments with Friesian's
While breeding Friesians in his well-known black stud according to local Friesian standards, Piet Botha’s horses at Geyerspan are increasingly becoming a mixture of different colours, sizes and conformations. Strange as it may seem to many Friesian lovers who knows Piet’s contribution to the local Friesian industry over years, this is being done with a strict aim in mind. “I also believe that Friesians can play a significant role in the development of different types of horses with better multi-purposes abilities.
Therefore I am making experiments by crossing imported Friesian stallions with mares of different breeds like Arabs, Saddle Horses, Appaloosas, Thoroughbreds and Boerperde.” According to Piet the Friesian influence calms the hot blooded temperament of the Arab and allows for a more trustworthy horse. Such a crossing has the potential to do well in both dressage and showing for younger children.
While the Arabian is well known for its endurance ability, the hardiness of the Friesian can also contribute to a good doing endurance horse. The Friesian also balances out the nuttiness of the Thoroughbred, leaving a less tense and stressed horse, while crossed with Saddlers it complements the latter by creating a more calm and expressive horse. The Friesian X Saddlebred cross will do well in dressage and showing, show jumping and as a driving horse. Piet also used the Percheron stallion, Elsenburg Marinus, with good results on Friesian mares.
There is a constant demand for Geyerspan’s cross-bred horses. With more than 450 horses to pick and choose from at this farm, here are cross-breds to the taste of everybody. If interested, contact Piet on 082 920 7443.
Horses for sale!
Friesians are one of the most popular and “in demand’ horses in the country. Stallions, mares and young stock of this breed, as well as crossings, are on sale throughout the year. You are welcome to visit our stud at Geyerspan, between Koster and Lichtenburg. During the annual Hoofbeat festival, an elite auction will be held at Geyerspan on May, 28. Friesians and horses from different breeds will be available.
Noriker Mare & Foal at Geyerspan
A Spotted Noriker Mare
Mixed
Horses at Geyerspan are increasingly becoming a mixture of different colours, sizes and conformations.
