On 20 August, a team will set off on an extraordinary mountain bike race in support of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s Horse Care Unit.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA Horse Care Unit rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes horses and other equines, and also treats minor ailments of owned horses. The unit has provided a safe haven to 80 equines during the past year and has had as many as 25 horses on site on any given day. Many owned and impounded horses require lengthy stays in the unit’s paddocks.
The six-strong team is divided into two groups, made up of three riders each, including a school principal and insurance broker. Karlien Scholtz, Howard Warrington and Marius Erasmus who make up team “Bucking Broncos” and Helgo Hohenstein, Burt Gildenhuys and Elandre Kotzee form team “Jolly Jockeys”.
All six are set to take on the gruelling 230km long Trans Baviaans mountain bike race, known as the ‘toughest single stage race in the world’.
“We are all animal lovers and against any form of abuse or neglect,” said team member Karlien Scholtz, who has dogs, alpacas and horses at home.
“We chose to help the SPCA’s Horse Care Unit because rehabilitating horses is costly and some of these animals’ recovery takes a long time. The SPCA needs support to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome horses.”
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Night vision:
One of South Africa’s premier mountain biking events, the entire Trans Baviaans route is unmarked, which tests the orientation skills of each rider. The race’s late start (at 10am) also compels all riders to use lights for nighttime riding and the distance of 230km – from Willowmore to Jeffrey’s Bay – must be completed within 24 hours.
While this race may sound too much like hard work for many cyclists, members of Team SPCA jokingly admit that when someone in their group suggests an event, they all oblige without hesitation because of their ‘FOMO’ (Fear of Missing Out).
“We ride for the fun of it also to keep fit, rather than chasing medals. We’re asking other animal lovers and riders for support, to help us meet our fundraising target for the horses,” added Scholtz.
Individuals and companies are urged to support the team.
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Picture: SPCA