Four coastal horse riders will join Namibia’s eight-member team competing at the 2026 Africa Shield Eventing Competition in Otjiwarongo from 21 to 23 August.
Alyssa Hopking with her horse Callaho Condetto, Silvia Kleyenstüber with Altidore Z, Jana Redler with Davetsaub Arivi, and Maja Höwer with Legacy Legato will represent the Namibian Equestrian Federation (NAMEF) at the regional competition. Hopking will compete as part of NAMEF Team A, alongside Zoe Schmidt with Klein Hamakari’s Sternchen, Mira Meyer with Frischgewaagd Gallito and Helge von Ditfurth with Claratal Venezia.
For Hopking, being selected is the culmination of years of dedication to her horse. “Being selected to be part of the Africa Shield with Conny is a dream come true. I have owned Conny since he was four years old and have produced him in eventing. Being selected proves that hard work never goes unnoticed.”
NAMEF Team B will comprise Jana Redler with Davetsaub Arivi, Maja Höwer with Legacy Legato, Silvia Kleyenstüber with Altidore Z and Louis Kotze with Sandy Lane Hermes. Höwer said she was excited to learn that she and Legacy had been selected, describing the opportunity to represent Namibia as an honour. “I’m most looking forward to the cross-country and experiencing the Africa Shield with Legacy.” For Redler, the selection represents a significant milestone in her riding career. “Being selected to represent Namibia at the Africa Shield is our biggest achievement so far, and I was so excited when I found out. It’s a huge honour, and I’m looking forward to gaining experience, learning as much as I can and making unforgettable memories.”
Kleyenstüber, meanwhile, highlighted the resilience required in eventing, where falls, eliminations and injuries can test even the most experienced riders. “This sport has a way of humbling you. Falls, eliminations and injuries remind you that staying at the top takes resilience and determination.”
She hopes to deliver strong results with Altidore Z, both for their team and individually, while embracing the honour of representing Namibia internationally.
Jakes van der Merwe will serve as Chef d’Equipe for both Namibian teams. The annual Africa Shield will see teams from Namibia and South Africa compete across the three demanding phases of eventing, dressage, cross-country and show jumping. With eight Namibian combinations taking on their South African counterparts, the competition promises a challenging weekend of equestrian sport while providing valuable exposure and experience for developing eventers.
Eventing is widely regarded as one of equestrian sport’s most demanding disciplines, requiring horse-and-rider combinations to demonstrate precision, endurance, control and jumping ability across the three phases.
South Africa will be represented by Kelly Paton, Madison Lanzoni, Petru Van Eeden and James Pitts, with Linda Squair serving as Chef d’Equipe. The South African riders will compete on loan horses provided by local athletes and studs, adding an interesting regional dimension to the competition.
The Africa Shield is contested over heights ranging from 0.85 to 0.95 metres. Established more than a decade ago, the competition provides eventers from the region with an opportunity to compete against one another while gaining valuable experience before progressing to more demanding one-star competitions and the FEI Eventing World Challenge.
In addition to the team competition, riders will have the opportunity to compete individually over the same course. The event is being held under the auspices of NAMEF, with the track prepared by the Reitgemeinschaft Otjiwarongo (RGO) at its premises just outside Otjiwarongo.
As the competition gets underway, Namibia’s coastal riders will be among those proudly flying the national flag.
By Rudi Bowe
