MIDDELBURG NEWS — The much anticipated Piet van der Merwe Memorial ride ERASA/ FEI 3*event will take place next weekend on March 2 and 3 at Fairview farm in the Middelburg district.

Lormar is expecting an eager 100+ participants from all over the country to descend on the farm for this event.

As advertised, the track, hosted in the heart of the Karoo, will be mostly easy-going and will allow for very short stretches of careful riding to be able to view the stunning sights which have been greatly improved by the rain.

The track is also slightly softer due the rain which will help the horses at the start of the season.

The Lormar team hopes to have in attendance all the competitors of last year to see if they can retain their achievements and improve on them on the new track.

Vets and Officials from as far as Portugal, Namibia and Botswana will be working at the ride to ensure all the horses and riders have a safe and regulated ride.

The local vets and officials will share equal responsibility and have the same accountability to uphold the standards of the event.

Ride entries close on February 23 for the FEI riders and on February 26 for the ERASA riders.

Attendance can only be guessed as with horses it’s difficult to plan far ahead as they are injury prone. Riders try to enter as late as possible to be certain of their horses.

The Lormar team hopes people will attend this special ride and event to honor the legend PJ (Piet) van der Merwe. The Lormar Endurance ride carried great importance to Piet Pad (Oubaas) van der Merwe and his family as it brings people together in an extraordinary way.

Annette, Pieter and Briers van der Merwe would like to thank the sponsors for this amazing upcoming event.

The organisers extend a special word of thanks to Wilhelm Grutter (SA Silobags), Western shoppe (www.westernshoppe.com) and Jodi Loubser(Pure Dynamic Veterinary Therapy) for their huge contribution to the Memorial ride. Without these sponsors it wouldn't be possible to host such a magnificent event.

Thanks are also extended to the silent work force behind the scenes that help get everything ready for the event.

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