Let's talk first about some of the successes of the past year: Cinzia Pasteris won the 2009 Pony Riders' South African Championship held in George during July on her lovely pony, "Mulan Rouge", who has now been sold to a new young child owner in Kwazulu Natal, since Cinzia is moving up the ranks of junior competitions these days. Anne-Marie (more often called Anna) came 2nd in the 2009 SA Riders' Championship (this show runs like WEG with the top 4 horse & rider combinations of the show riding all 4 horses over a 1,45m track in the final) - the only pole that "Alzu Oarsman" had down was with his owner - and a very costly pole it was, since Anna jumped all the other riders' mounts clear and stood to win a Volvo had she scored 4 clears! Oarsman won the prize for best horse. Anna continued her winning streak by capturing the GHS Championship at Kyalami Equestrian Park with the lovely black gelding, as well as the 1,40m championship on her other "Open" horse, "Alessio" at the annual Pretoria show. David won the KZN Grand Prix in Durban on Steven Flax's "Santos van het Molenhof", and went on to a good 4th in the SA Championship competition. Blake Allen won the 1,30m championship at the GHS Championship show on "Premier Landini", whilst Jenny Ford had her first 1,40m win on "Lord of the Stars". Burlington clients from within the yard, as well as the many that truck in for once-a-week lessons, continued to notch up many rosettes in all divisions.  To round off the year Olivia Bramley had an excellent win with "Rikki's Ricardo" in the 1,20m category at SA Junior Championships in Cape Town. Imogen Baxter achieved junior equitation colours and scored high marks for the team on "Little Prince".

Sad news is that Caryn Darley lost her lovely Tb gelding, originally a Highveld Horse Care case, called Strategic (stable name "Teaser"), to cancer unexpectedly. Teaser had a beautiful jump, a really extrovert personality, and was a dream to ride. He will be missed by all at Burlington, particularly Caryn and Teaser's groom, Paulus.

David will be riding for "Haulcon" (commercial tankers) in the future, whilst Anna has joined the "First for Women" team (affordable insurance for the ladies).

The Burlington main arena has been resurfaced by Torque Earth, using their "Clopf" fibre and silica sand - it now offers a world class all weather surface, and the visiting riders have all given it rave reviews. Burlington shows have become so popular that every "weekend" show has started at 12 noon on Friday to accommodate the overflow of riders who are so keen to ride at our venue that they now put "I can ride on Friday" on their entry form! We host about 8 shows a year, our final show being a "biggie" in November. In 2009 the "Burlington Cup" show was supported by a number of generous sponsors, the main ones being Torque Earth (arena surfaces), Midfeeds (feed merchants), Wenkem (agricultural chemicals) and Riders Saddlery. Tata Motors, CMH Group (selling cars online), Back on Track (therapeutic wear for horses) and Western Shoppe (major tack supplier and manufacturers) also supported us, and the riders took home good prize money and vouchers for feed and tack. Major shows cannot be hosted without the buy in of outside supporters, so we'd like to extend a huge "THANK YOU" to all of you!

Retha has celebrated her first 10 years with Burlington Stables as our stable manager. "Thanks Retha, you're a crucial part of our team"!  Not every stable facility can boast an experienced manager that cares for the welfare of their trusty steeds 24/7 like she does - Retha has now also opened her own business venture called "Equine P.a.r.c." (Performance and Rehab Centre) at Burlington. The new German 8 horse walker is proving an excellent tool for warming up and cooling down muscles, providing exercise and stretching opportunities for the horses. Clients from within Burlington and from outside can sign up on a monthly or individual programme. The horses have taken to it effortlessly, and now, after the December break, we are seeing them come back into work fitter, more muscled, and more relaxed than previously.

Continuing on the wedding streak, Gina van Huysteen tied the knot with Justin Grobler in November - congratulations! And thanks to all the Burlington folk who let their hair down at the "Horseyantics" evening, especially Hazel and Willan, the Burlington "body shot" girl and guy - everyone wanted to lick liquor off your bodies and Burlington raised loads of money for the Team SA initiative.    
 
The summer rains have been good so far, and all the horses have been enjoying our huge grass paddocks next door over the Christmas period whilst their owners have been holidaying. The Jo'burg veld has never been more beautiful, with waist high flowers in pink and yellow all over. The Burlington staff are mowing our 22 acres permanently! It's time to get horses and riders into shape for the forthcoming year. We wish all our loyal clients every success, much happiness, and good health for 2010!