The Sunday News
Mbongeni Msimanga
FOR young black show jumper Tsepo Ngwenya, excelling in a minority and white dominated sport displays a rare talent that has the potential of being nurtured into world class standards.
The 13-year-old recently came out tops at the Show Jumping National Championships that were held in Harare last week after he was crowned the overall winner in the children’s class in Zimbabwe.
For a young black show-jumper competing in such an elite discipline that is little known to the black community, Ngwenya proved his mettle when he managed first position on the opening and final day of the show, and took second position on the second day of the National Championships, in the three-day event.
Ngwenya has represented Zimbabwe in the children’s 90cm class in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Africa, carrying the country’s flag high.
Show jumping is an equestrian sport which involves navigating a course of jumps set up inside a ring or a stadium designed for equestrian events.
In a show jumping event, the stamina, speed, and flexibility of the horse are tested, along with the relationship that the horse has with its rider. Competition rankings are determined by the number of faults accumulated and the overall speed with which the course is completed.
So far Ngwenya is the only child who has the credentials in the 90cm class in Bulawayo and is graded a class above other children, something that has seen him shine exceptionally in local and international competitions.
However, the young show jumper said there was a need for more training so that the Bulawayo and Zimbabwe team excel to greater heights in the upcoming national and international tours that are lined up next year.
“I compete in the 90cm class and so far I am the only one who competes in that category for the children’s class Bulawayo. Other children in my class compete in the 70cm and 80cm classes which basically handicaps the class.
“So far, I have represented the Zimbabwe children’s class in DRC and South Africa although the competition out there was stiff I managed to do well. I need more training to ensure we perform better in the upcoming competitions lined up for next year,” he said
Already, the young show jumper who is a Falcon College pupil is eligible to compete for the 2018 Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Word Equestrian Games that will be held at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park in Canada.
He will, however, join the few elite who will battle it out at this venue and will become the first black rider to grace such a prestigious tournament.
Ngwenya, however, credited his success to his two coaches Mkhululi “Koo” Mnkandla and Zimbabwean team coach Penny Crockard who have been key driving forces in his performance internationally and locally.
Crockard said so far Ngwenya had trained well and there was hope that his performance at international games would be good.
She lamented the lack of support for the sport adding this has led to a loss of talented riders.
“I would say he has done exceptionally well so far in his career and there is hope that he will do well in the upcoming international and national games. The only problem that we face is losing talent because of lack of sponsorship,” said Crockard.
