At home in the saddle
Timothy Liebenberg wears bright neon socks for luck during a show.
Michelline Nawatises
Timothy Liebenberg 16-year-old learner at Otjiwarongo Secondary School.
The ambitious youngster started riding when he was seven years old and rode his first competitive endurance ride when he was eight. Riding has taught Timothy self-discipline and perseverance, as well as to work hard when he wants to accomplish something.
One of the things Timothy has learned while riding is to always stay calm, no matter the situation. He says the horse can feel your energy and reacts to it. The pre-rituals Timothy performs include planning his performance in his head and making some jokes with his coach to calm his nerves. “Just before I mount my horse I ask the Lord for a clear head and soft hands,” he says.
Timothy is motivated by his desire to be the best rider he can be, so that both he and his horse enjoy the experience. One of the goals he has for himself and his horse is to qualify, participate and help the Namibian team to win the Saddle Seat World Cup.
The rider does supplemental activities to stay in shape for riding and he has a strict fitness and diet programme before a show, as well as daily lessons with his trainers. He also does an endurance ride at least once a month to stay riding fit.
He says his biggest supporters are his parents, trainers and especially his grandparents, who always stand by his side through all the harsh and rewarding moments as a rider.
He usually practices endurance as well as saddle-bred riding. The Zone asked Timothy which other discipline he would like to try and he mentioned gymkhana.
“My great-grandfather was a legend and I grew up hearing stories about him and his horses,” he said.
His immediate future goals include being selected for the Namibian team to participate in the Saddle Seat World Cup in 2020, as well as to participate in the saddle-bred show in Kentucky in the United States. One of Timothy’s best show memories and the horse that left the biggest impact on him was when he received the prize as park horse champion on Sable Kingston.
“He was my first competitive saddle-bred and has taught me many lessons and has always given me his best at a show, and nothing less. However, all my horses are special to me and each has its own unique character,” he said.
Timothy currently has 8 000 competitive endurance kilometres to his name and also holds the record for the youngest person to ever complete the 300-miler. (480 kilometres over 4 days on one horse). He did this when he was 11 years old on his horse Jenny.
When he was 12 he was thrown off a very wild horse and broke his jaw, upper arm, several ribs and had a severe concussion, yet this did not keep him out of the saddle. The following year he went on to win the children's division of the African championships at Walvis Bay for endurance riding on his horse Zabubega Shaker. He placed sixth overall, recording one of the highest overall placings for a child ever at the championships. That year he received the horsemanship and rider of the year award, as well as the award for the fastest registered Arabian at the championships, among others.
Facts of Timothy
*He only started riding saddle-bred horses when he was 14 years old.
*In 2018 he was the SA reserve champion in the children’s fine harness.
*In 2019 he was reserve champion in two championships
*His future plans are to study medicine at Unam and then specialise as an anesthesiologist.
* He is influenced by his trainer Mart Viljoen and his parents.
Timothy Liebenberg 16-year-old learner at Otjiwarongo Secondary School.
The ambitious youngster started riding when he was seven years old and rode his first competitive endurance ride when he was eight. Riding has taught Timothy self-discipline and perseverance, as well as to work hard when he wants to accomplish something.
One of the things Timothy has learned while riding is to always stay calm, no matter the situation. He says the horse can feel your energy and reacts to it. The pre-rituals Timothy performs include planning his performance in his head and making some jokes with his coach to calm his nerves. “Just before I mount my horse I ask the Lord for a clear head and soft hands,” he says.
Timothy is motivated by his desire to be the best rider he can be, so that both he and his horse enjoy the experience. One of the goals he has for himself and his horse is to qualify, participate and help the Namibian team to win the Saddle Seat World Cup.
The rider does supplemental activities to stay in shape for riding and he has a strict fitness and diet programme before a show, as well as daily lessons with his trainers. He also does an endurance ride at least once a month to stay riding fit.
He says his biggest supporters are his parents, trainers and especially his grandparents, who always stand by his side through all the harsh and rewarding moments as a rider.
He usually practices endurance as well as saddle-bred riding. The Zone asked Timothy which other discipline he would like to try and he mentioned gymkhana.
“My great-grandfather was a legend and I grew up hearing stories about him and his horses,” he said.
His immediate future goals include being selected for the Namibian team to participate in the Saddle Seat World Cup in 2020, as well as to participate in the saddle-bred show in Kentucky in the United States. One of Timothy’s best show memories and the horse that left the biggest impact on him was when he received the prize as park horse champion on Sable Kingston.
“He was my first competitive saddle-bred and has taught me many lessons and has always given me his best at a show, and nothing less. However, all my horses are special to me and each has its own unique character,” he said.
Timothy currently has 8 000 competitive endurance kilometres to his name and also holds the record for the youngest person to ever complete the 300-miler. (480 kilometres over 4 days on one horse). He did this when he was 11 years old on his horse Jenny.
When he was 12 he was thrown off a very wild horse and broke his jaw, upper arm, several ribs and had a severe concussion, yet this did not keep him out of the saddle. The following year he went on to win the children's division of the African championships at Walvis Bay for endurance riding on his horse Zabubega Shaker. He placed sixth overall, recording one of the highest overall placings for a child ever at the championships. That year he received the horsemanship and rider of the year award, as well as the award for the fastest registered Arabian at the championships, among others.
Facts of Timothy
*He only started riding saddle-bred horses when he was 14 years old.
*In 2018 he was the SA reserve champion in the children’s fine harness.
*In 2019 he was reserve champion in two championships
*His future plans are to study medicine at Unam and then specialise as an anesthesiologist.
* He is influenced by his trainer Mart Viljoen and his parents.
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