Dawn breaks over the Free State horizon, sending rays of light as far as forever. A cool, gentle breeze lifts a lock of hair escaping from beneath her helmet. Gretha Botha closes her eyes for an instant as she inhales the crisp morning air, allowing herself a moment of reflection.

 

The race is on. Scenery rushes by, accelerated by the rhythmic pounding of four hooves on a dust road. Her mare Ras-el-Bandar Nerina gallops past the pale grass and faded thorn trees of the winter landscape. Horse and rider are in unison.

 

Some 20 km ahead, their destination – the showgrounds on the outskirts of Fauresmith – awaits. For three days over a distance of 201 km, the pair have toiled together, worked together and together taken on the challenge of pushing themselves to their limits. But they are not quite there, not yet.

 

Tackling the home stretch

Gretha and Nerina pick up the pace. It’s the home stretch of the Fauresmith endurance ride. She thinks of her sons, James and Heinrich, waiting for her. They are 14 and 13 respectively, and have inherited their mother’s love for horses. “It’s so nice that they are comfortable with horses,” she says.

 

Her own passion for horses stems from childhood and was rekindled in 2009 when she moved to Potchefstroom. In 2013 she was employed as contract and intellectual property manager at the NWU’s Technology Transfer and Innovation Support Office.

 

Beads of perspiration appear on her face, but her focus remains unswerving. “You have to be fit, as your fitness levels influence how the horse performs. Even just slightly shifting your weight has a profound effect on the horse.” She keeps in shape by cross training and putting kilometres on her bicycle and in the swimming pool. “The most important thing is to be mentally tough and to stay focused.”

 

Valued more than accolades

This year saw Gretha participating in the race for the fourth time. “In 2016 we ended among the top 10 riders and this year we came 13th. When that bug bites and you start competing in endurance races, you can’t stop.”

 

Gretha has twice been honoured with national colours, but for her, riding is about much more than accolades. “There is an unbreakable bond that develops between you and your horse. They are very sensitive animals, and also highly intelligent. It is amazing to think that a 450 kg animal allows you on her back. They each have a unique personality and sometimes they can be like naughty children.”

 

What a beautiful bond

The beauty of the bond between human and horse is indescribable. “There are the small moments that you can explain to no one. There is freedom and that amazing feeling when you and your horse start thinking and moving as one – collaborating, respecting and honouring each other. There is abundant grace.”

 

During the Fauresmith race, horses have to pass regular veterinary checks. About every 25 km, veterinarians examine the horses to determine if they are in good health and fit enough to continue.

 

With the last checkpoint behind her, Gretha’s remaining effort is concentrated on finishing the race. To finish is to win, she believes.

 

As the finishing line beckons, Gretha’s heart rate increases. She can hear the theme song from the movie Chariots of Fire, which is played for every rider who enters the show grounds. She spots her groom team: her fiancé Deon Duvenhage, horse trainer Thinus Sonnekus, veterinarian Dr Jesse Jones, and James and Heinrich.

 

A smile slowly starts to form. When she crosses the finishing line, she is smiling from ear to ear.