Coastal riders stole the show at the 2026 Capricorn Asset Management Namibia Show Jumping Championships, with Swakopmund-based competitors claiming the country’s senior, junior and children’s titles at the GCW grounds in Windhoek.
Swakopmund-based riders dominated the 2026 Capricorn Asset Management Namibia Show Jumping Championships, with coastal combinations walking away with the country’s top titles.
The biggest prize went to 19-year-old Taria Brits and her 16-year-old gelding Great Uncle Argo, who were crowned the 2026 Namibian Showjumping Champions after a weekend of tight competition.
Brits produced excellent clear rounds over 1.20m and 1.30m on Friday and Saturday before holding her nerve through the final rounds on Sunday. Despite knocking down a pole in each of the 1.30m rounds, she finished on 55 points, narrowly edging Michelle Kuenzle and Seeis Elton, who ended on 54.
For Brits, the victory was particularly significant against riders with considerably more experience. “Winning against competitors such as Silvia Kleyenstueber and my coach Michelle with years of additional experience is truly a privilege,” she said.
Brits started riding at Reitgemeinschaft Otjiwarongo at just four years old and has been based in Swakopmund since 2023. She is set to continue her studies in South Africa next year. The coastal success continued in the junior division, where Swakopmund-based Alyssa Hopking successfully defended her 2025 Junior Champion title in her final year in the age group.
Riding The Tug Restaurant Tommy Davies, Hopking produced a series of impressive 1.10m rounds to finish on 47 points. Sixteen-year-old Emily le Roux and Elite Employment Capital Uzzi claimed Reserve Champion honours on 41 points, while also securing the GCW Club Champion title ahead of Zoe Schmidt on Ideal Winter.
The Children’s title also went to the coast, with Aria Kleyenstueber and her stallion Baron von Sphinxblick producing clear and fast rounds in the 90cm and 1.00m classes. Stable-mate Emma Jordaan and Sphinxblick Kalila finished as Reserve Champions.
Chief judge Sabine Reimers praised the riders for maintaining discipline despite difficult conditions. “We are happy to have been able to see such good rides in very uncomfortable windy weather conditions this year,” she said, adding that the footing was excellent and the riders showed “discipline and finesse”.
The equestrian action now moves to Okahandja in two weeks for the FEI Dressage World Challenge, the 7 Nations Challenge and the 2026 Namibian Dressage Championships.
By Rudi Bowe
