Eddie Newman was born on 9 September 1988. His mother is a housekeeper working in the Durbanville area. He has never met his father. Eddie lives with his grandparents, Sophie and “Oupa” Newman on the Boshoff Stud Farm just outside Durbanville. He attended school at the Blue Mountain Farm School just near the Boshoff Stud. Through the hard work of Nanette Mouton, and the very kind sponsorship of Mr Peter Inglis, Eddie was accepted at the Durbanville Primary School. In 2003 he started High School and is now attending the Durbanville Hoerskool, still very kindly sponsored by Mr Peter Inglis. He is a very conscientious pupil and is coping very well at school.

EDDIE’S RIDING BACKGROUND
Sue Verne of Western Cape- SA Pony Club, started Eddie’s career off as a member of the Durbanville Branch of Pony Club in 1995. Natalie Margolit continued encouraging Eddie at her small riding school on a nearby smallholding, when young Eddie used to walk up there and watch her lessons. This interest did not go unnoticed and Cape Hunt’s Nanette Mouton lent Natalie an old Skewbald pony called “Skapie” so he could ride in the school. Skapie was an SPCA rescue pony who had pulled a cart earlier in life and it was on Skapie that Eddie learnt to ride. The pair formed a tremendous relationship and understanding with each other, and eventually Eddie was encouraged by Nanette and Natalie to start competing with Skapie. He continued to have plenty of fun with Skapie competing in the Mounted Games and Showjumping as well as all Pony Club rallies and competitions.

WPHS made Eddie a member and Janet Tyndell started teaching him Showjumping – and soon he went on to enter graded Western Province Horse Society Shows. This has always been his love, and Skapie and Eddie jumped in the Children’s classes at quite a few Graded shows. The Noble Family supported Eddie to all the local shows and when Pony Club ran their International show at Welkom, Eddie was funded by SAPC National and Regional with the assistance of the Ashton family, he was able to take part at the show and successfully won a medal.

Natalie moved back to Johannesburg so the riding school up the road was closed. Unfortunately Eddie grew up and Skapie grew old and could not move into Juniors with Eddie.

Eddie managed to organize lifts for himself to Equus Park, where Shayna Cowley let him ride the horses in the School, but he was not able to compete at shows.

WPHS with the help of the Department of Sport managed to obtain funding, which has enabled us to part fund the keep of a horse for Eddie.

Laura Smith (nee Hamerton) from Lane Stables had this wonderful little mare in her Schoolyard that did not enjoy the life of a school horse. She has very kindly given the horse, Jamaican Doll, to Eddie to compete on.
Sheryl Greyvenstein has agreed to let WPHS keep Jamaican Doll in her yard (Natalie’s old yard) at a tremendously reduced rate. Eddie helps Sheryl around the yard in return.

The community has been tremendous in their assistance. The local Vet, Dr Donald McCrae, has donated his services, and the local Farrier, Gerry Vosloo looks after Jamaican Dolls shoeing needs. Larissa Allen travels all the way from Tokai on a weekly basis and gives him jumping and flatwork lessons at Sheryls yard. She also attempts to attend as many shows with him that is possible to assist at the shows.

Since competing on Jamaican Doll, Eddie has gone up a grade in Showjumping and has been placed in all of his competitions to date. Over the last weekend, Eddie won the Pony Club Victor Ludorum, which was over three very important discipline – Showjumping, Dressage and Equitation, showing what a true horseman is really is !

Now, The Herbal Horse joins in by sponsoring Eddie and Jamaican Doll. Watch this space for future developments!