VN October 2022

Vetnuus | October 2022 10 In a vast southern stretch of the Free State, in an area known as The False Karoo, lies the quaint town of Fauresmith. And that is just about the only reference to 'false' that is appropriate because everything else is as genuine, hearty and authentic as can be! Owing to the generous farming community, rich history and endless horizon of the Free State, Fauresmith is a charming little town with a warm heart. Located about 130 km southwest of Bloemfontein, the town was named after Rev Phillip Faure and Sir Harry Smith. It is the second oldest town in the Free State, the only town in South Africa, and one of only three in the world where the railway line runs slap- bang down the centre of the main road! Winters are icy, with temperatures more than often below freezing. Wikipedia has this to say about the famous town of Fauresmith: "Very close to Fauresmith is Jagersfontein, which is famous again for its diamond mine. Two of the ten biggest diamonds ever discovered, the Excelsior and the Reitz (now called the Jubilee), were mined from Jagersfontein." And with such a shining past, one cannot drive through Fauresmith without feeling the history in your bones. It is a neat little town with a few small shops, a beautiful church and, of course, that railway line in the middle of the main road! But for one week in the year, people flock to Fauresmith for only ONE reason: for the love of horses, especially endurance horses. During a dedicated week in July - in the middle of winter - Fauresmith becomes the 'Horse Capital' of South Africa, as it is known in equestrian circles. This particular time is when the annual National Equestrian Endurance Ride takes place to test the grid of horses and their riders over a gruelling 205 km course during the three days of the event. All the action centres around the showground where beautiful horses are paraded and loosened up in the arena, wrapped in colourful blankets and under the watchful eye of proud grooms and owners. Just behind the arena, you will find the busy canteen where the whole community works together to serve the most delicious meals for visitors from all around Southern Africa and sometimes the world. Nearby, in the cosy pub, old friendships are kindled, and new ones are formed, and the only thing in common is the love of this beautiful animal called the horse. Only seventeen riders competed when the first endurance ride was held in 1973 in Fauresmith. Over the almost fifty years since then, this number has steadily grown to 300 and more riders. This July, the Fauresmith Endurance Race lived up to its reputation as an exhausting adventure that tests the mettle of horses and their riders to their very core. Day One and Day Two covered 74km with three vet checks each, while Day Three had a distance of 52 kmwith two vet checks. At each vet check, horses are examined by one of the endurance veterinarians to either be eliminated or cleared to continue. At the 'slang gat', right at the showground ride base, is the hospital and treatment area. Horses that cannot continue are transported by a horse ambulance to this treatment area, where a team of equine veterinarians are on hand to take care of them. Working at Fauresmith as an endurance veterinarian is an absolute privilege and remains one of my career highlights. Every year, I go home with countless memories and here are some of my best ones. A church service is held on Sunday morning, where everyone is welcome. The parade on Monday afternoon, where the different teams are introduced and the national anthems of the countries participating, is played. The pre-ride vet checks where the horses are so full of energy that some are rearing to get going. Early mornings, when the first horses are about to start, with cold air blowing from their nostrils and the sound of hooves as they canter away to begin yet another Fauresmith. With winter wrapping her icy cloak over the area, the roads are covered in frost, and the mist hangs over the hills as the vehicles make their way to the first grooming points and vet checks. Standing in the vet lanes waiting for the first horses to arrive, ice crunches under our boots. Testing the mettle of horses and their riders in chilly Fauresmith By Dr Erika de Jager, endurance veterinarian on duty