ReiterVerein Swakopmund

🇳🇦🫶🏼

Coastal Horse Riders to Represent Namibia at Africa Shield Eventing Competition | Namib Times Newspaper 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.

✨Maja Höwer & Legacy Legato ("Legi") ✨

At 17 years old, Swakopmund rider Maja Höwer has been in the saddle since the age of six. For the past three years, she has shared her riding journey with Legacy Legato ("Legi"), a striking chestnut with a personality just as impressive as his mane and tail.

Maja describes Legi in three words: hungry, strong-minded and an escape artist. He has a knack for opening just about any door he can find, but behind all that mischief is a very special partnership. One of Maja's favourite parts of their routine is simply their pre-ride cuddles, although Legi's pre-ride sugar is apparently equally important.

Maja first discovered her love for cross-country with a previous pony and hasn't looked back. Her favourite obstacles are steps, and it's the cross-country phase she's most excited about heading into the Africa Shield.

Now, Maja and Legi have reached an exciting milestone together: their first selection for the Africa Shield Development Team, representing Namibia.

Maja gives a special thank you to Coach Carolin Hoffmeister and her parents for supporting her and helping her reach this exciting point in her riding journey. 🧡

Congratulations, Maja and Legi! Your RVS family is very proud to have you as part of our club, and we wish you an unforgettable first Africa Shield experience. Enjoy every moment and every stride.

Congratulations on your first Africa Shield Development Team selection, we'll be cheering you and Legi on all the way. ✨

✨Jana Redler & Davetsaub Arivi✨

At just 15 years old, Jana Redler has already spent almost 14 years in the saddle , developing a passion for horses and the sport of eventing. Since May 2025, she has partnered with Davetsaub Arivi, an 8-year-old Namibian Warmblood whose playful personality and love for cross-country make him the perfect teammate. 🤍

Jana's dedication and hard work have now been rewarded with her very first selection to represent Namibia , having been chosen as part of the Africa Shield Development Team. It is a proud milestone and a wonderful reward for the commitment and partnership she and Arivi have built together.

Congratulations, Jana and Arivi! Your RVS family is incredibly proud of this wonderful achievement and wishes you every success as you represent Namibia for the very first time. Enjoy every moment, embrace the experience, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Congratulations on your first Team Namibia selection, we'll be cheering you on every stride of the way. ✨

Alyssa Hopking & Callaho Condetto ("Conny")

At just 18 years old, Alyssa Hopking has already spent 14 years in the saddle, dedicating herself to the sport of eventing. For the past three years, she has partnered with Callaho Condetto ("Conny"), a horse she has owned since he was just four years old. Together, they have developed into an outstanding cross-country partnership built on trust, patience and hard work.💙

Alyssa's commitment has once again been recognised with her selection to represent Namibia as part of the Africa Shield Team. Impressively, this marks the fourth time she has been chosen to represent Namibian, a remarkable achievement and testament to her dedication and consistency.

Congratulations, Alyssa and Conny! Your RVS family is incredibly proud of you both and wishes you every success as you once again represent Namibia on the international stage. We know you'll do your country proud.

Congratulations on your fourth Team Namibia selection, we'll be cheering you on every stride of the way.✨

✨Silvia Kleyenstüber & Altidore Z (“Ally)✨

With 37 years in the saddle, Silvia Kleyenstüber brings a wealth of experience, determination and passion to the sport of eventing. A proud member of Riding for ReiterVerein Swakopmund (RVS), Silvia is not only a successful competitor but also the club's Showjumping and Eventing Coach, inspiring and developing the next generation of riders.❤️

For the past three years, Silvia has partnered with Altidore Z (“Ally”), a talented horse affectionately described as her "ADHS child", always curious, always looking for attention, and never standing still for long. Together, they have built an exceptional partnership that has earned numerous accolades across Showjumping, Dressage and Eventing, including the title of Namibian Showjumping Champions in 2024.🏆

Having proudly represented Namibia on several occasions in South Africa, Chile, Réunion, Mauritius and Eswatini, Silvia now adds another international appearance to her impressive career with her selection for the Africa Shield Development Team.

Congratulations, Silvia and Ally! Your dedication as both a competitor and coach continues to inspire our club, and we are incredibly proud to see you once again representing Namibia on the international stage. We wish you every success and know your experience and leadership will be a tremendous asset to Team Namibia.

Congratulations on another Team Namibia selection, we'll be cheering you on every stride of the way.✨

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the RVS riders who have been selected to represent Namibia at the Africa Shield Eventing Competition, taking place in Otjiwarongo from 21–23 August 2026.

Congratulations to our selected combinations:

⭐ Alyssa Hopking & Callaho Condetto – Africa Shield Team

⭐ Silvia Kleyenstüber & Altidore Z – Africa Shield Development Team

⭐ Jana Redler & Davetsaub Arivi – Africa Shield Development Team

⭐ Maja Höwer & Legacy Legato – Africa Shield Development Team

Alyssa, Silvia and Jana proudly represent our RVS Stable Members, while Maja is a valued RVS Club Member. We couldn’t be prouder of them.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to our fellow Namibian riders who have been selected to represent the country from other stables:

⭐ Helge von Ditfurth & Claratal Venezia
⭐ Mira Meyer & Frischgewaagd Gallito
⭐ Zoe Schmidt & Klein Hamakari’s Sternchen
⭐ Louis Kotze & Sandy Lane Hèrmès

A special congratulations also goes to Chef d’Équipe, Jakes van der Merwe, who will be leading both the Africa Shield Team and the Africa Shield Development Team.

We wish every rider, horse, coach, groom and support team the very best as they prepare for this exciting international competition. Ride with confidence, enjoy every moment, and make Namibia proud. We know you’ll represent our country with dedication, passion and outstanding sportsmanship.

Good luck Team Namibia, we’ll be cheering you on every stride of the way 💙🇳🇦

What an incredible weekend for our RVS riders at the Gymkhana Club Windhoek FEI Leg 2 & Development Series Leg 3 & 4 Tournament (24–26 July 2026).

Our riders and horses travelled from the coast to take on the competition, and they certainly made us proud with fantastic performances across all levels. Congratulations to every rider, horse, coach, groom and supporter who made this successful weekend possible.

Warm-Up Competitions
Open 110cm
🥇 Michelle Künzle & Seeis Elton
🥈 Alyssa Hopking & The Tug Restaurant Tommy Davies
🥉 Carolin Hoffmeister & Equimaster Twilight’s Etosha

100cm
🥈 Carolin Hoffmeister & Zorino Castiana

90cm
🥇 Morgan Priilaid & Seeis Chakalaka

80cm
🥇 Heidi Curry Potgieter & Desert Dash
🥈 Joeke du Preez & Brandenburg Gambol With Me

70cm
🥇 Gwyneth Potgieter & Zonjati Bon Jovi
🥈 Emma Jordaan & Sphinxblick Kalila

Development Series – Leg 3
🥇 75cm – Gwyneth Potgieter & Zonjati Bon Jovi
🥈 85cm – Emma Jordaan & Sphinxblick Kalila
🥈 95cm – Morgan Priilaid & Seeis Chakalaka

Development Series – Leg 4
🥇 75cm – Gwyneth Potgieter & Zonjati Bon Jovi
🥈 85cm – Emma Jordaan & Sphinxblick Audacio
🥇 95cm – Aria Kleyenstüber & Baron von Sphinxblick

FEI World Jumping Challenge – Leg 2
🥇 CAT A – Taria Brits & Great Uncle Argo
🥇 CAT B – Carolin Hoffmeister & Equimaster Twilight’s Etosha

National Competitions
🥇 110cm – Michelle Künzle & Seeis Elton
🥇 100cm – Alyssa Hopking & The Tug Restaurant Tommy Davies

Every clear round, every ribbon, every personal best and every lesson learned is something to celebrate. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of our riders for representing RVS with such determination, sportsmanship and team spirit. 👏

A very special thank you to Gymkhana Club Windhoek for hosting another fantastic tournament. To the organising committee, judges, course builders, officials, photographers, volunteers, sponsors and everyone working behind the scenes, thank you for your warm hospitality, professionalism and for making it such a memorable event. 💙🐎