SA rider is world dressage champ

2003-08-10 16:34

Johannesburg - A 14-year-old South African boy became the new world champion of children's dressage on Sunday by winning the Federation Equestre Internationale Children's World Challenge Championship in Hagen, Germany.

Bongani Mvumvu, a former homeless child who represented South Africa in the challenge, beat 17 other riders from 15 countries to take the world title.

It was the first time he had competed internationally and the first time he had travelled outside South Africa.

Mvumvu, who was sponsored by businessman Brett Kebble, was adopted by Linda Mohr's family after her son found him looking for food on a pig farm in Philippi, outside Cape Town.

The youngster discovered his talent for horses in the Mohr's livery yard and Mohr took him under her wing, starting the process that led to him representing SA in Germany.

"I simply can't believe it," said Mvumvu. "It hasn't sunk in that I am world champion but I want to thank everyone who helped me win, especially my foster mother.

Mohr said Bongani cruised through the finals.

"The fairy tale came true. Honestly, none of us expected him to win because he was competing against world-class riders, but in the finals he took a huge points lead and easily won all three stages."

Head judge of the competition, Eckhard Wemhner of Germany, pronounced Mvumvu a potential world champion.

"Bongani has unlimited potential," he said. "He has all the makings of a champion. He is a very special rider who instinctively knows the right thing to do. This is the mark of a tru

- SAPA