By Michael Uugwanga 

EQUASTRIAN might not be one of the leading or most followed sport codes in the country, but like in any other code, there are players in this fraternity who are determined to shine the light on the sport while steadily rising to its pinnacle. One such equestrian rider is Louis Kotze, who is popularising the sport while carving a niche for himself as a key player in the game, his latest achievement being his participation at the prestigious Toyota Easter Festival, in Kyalami Park, Johannesburg, South Africa in April this year. At the event Kotze a pupil at the Windhoek Gymnasium Private School, earned an impressive placing in events that featured over 60 riders with his two horses, Duneside Kadesh and Deago L. Despite being relatively new to the sport, Kotze is also popular among followers of local equestrian competitions, and as such does not take his tag as a novice too seriously. 

Confidente caught up with Kotze, this week, as he shared his journey in the sport and his aspiring career as an equestrian rider. “I started doing Equestrian at the age of 12. I chose the sport because I like animals and always loved horses especially. From a young age I told my parents I want to ride horses – the calling was always there,” the rider said, adding that he was drawn top equestrian due to it being an individual sport. 

“[Here] you do not rely on other people to win. I also tried mountain biking and archery when I was younger – but being a horse lover just made it so much easier,” Kotze said adding that the bond between rider and horse is unbreakable. Within the equestrian sport, Kotze chose the show jumping category “because it is independent and full of adrenalin.” Kotze revealed that his equestrian career had a bit of a setback for some months due to ill-health but he has since made a comeback. 

“When I started the Equestrian sport, I was in a bad spot in my life. I am a type one (1) diabetic and that year I was in and out of hospitals, for eight (8) months of the year, because of diabetic complications,” Kotze said. “I was physically and emotionally drained and restless and life was not good. Horses have an unbelievable emotional support for us humans and I believe my first horse, Kiewiet, gave me back my health and gave me purpose again. (Kiewiet is not a competition horse, does not do jumping at all, but he is the sweetest darling and is still on our farm enjoying his life),” said Kotze. His performance in Johannesburg did not go unnoticed, as he was up against riders from a country (South Africa) that any given sport is financially funded unlike in Namibia. At the Toyota Easter Festival, he got two second placed finish, two third place finishes and one fifth place finish. 

“In South Africa, it was a whole new experience and it showed me how other people outside of Namibia are doing the sport on a much bigger scale than we do locally. Here we are up to 60 participants in a whole competition (children, juniors, and adults alike) – out there we were over 70 participants in one class. (I took part in the 1m junior show jumping). What went right for me were that both my horses and I were very relaxed and focused, we did not have any expectations as it was our first competition outside of Namibia. The pressure was immense, and it is very easy to forget your course (how the jumps follow on each other). 

With the country not known for competing at major competitions such as the Olympic Games or at Equestrian world championships, Kotze has already set his sight on one day becoming the first Namibian to compete at the Olympic Games or at World Equestrian competition. Competing at such high demanding competitions, a rider will need serious training of high class and also requires having good financial backing, plus a top class coach. 

“My current couch is Lara Knickel. Lara is teaching me not only about riding and jumping but also about horse care and well-being, how important nutrition and after care is. Previously I was with Tobias gets land for academy NFA referees not paid since April Michelle Kunzle. Lara and Michelle are sisters and both very accomplish riders. I am extremely grateful that they are helping me. That they invest so much of their time in me. I started off with couch Irene Vera Ham (with horse Kiewiet) who taught me the basics of horse riding and horse care. I think every couch that crossed your path are there for a reason and is adding to your life experience. 

“I train 6 times a week at Auas View Equestrian Centre (AVEC) (it is in Academia, Windhoek). It takes me at least three (3) hours per day to train with the two horses, and afterwards you need to take very good care of them as they have worked hard for you. It is quite time consuming. Showjumping is one of those sports where you train for hours on end just to participate for 50 seconds (if even). Hopefully, I will be able to go to the World Championships, maybe even the Olympic Games,” he said.