HEVERSHAM Park Farm of Gauteng has introduced an Equine Management Mentorship for previously disadvantaged individuals interested in racing and breeding.
It was announced this weekend that Japhta Kghaphola was the recipient of the first Mentorship and Heversham Park’s Nigel Riley commented: “There is a dire shortage of previously disadvantaged persons working in the racing and breeding industries and we are proud to be playing our part in developing these needed skills for our industry.”
Kghapola (22), who hails from the remote Burgersfort region in Limpopo, has just completed the two-year course in theoretic modules of a National Diploma in Equine Science at the Tshwane University of Technology.
He didn’t grow up around horses and said his interest was stimulated when he watched show-jumping televised from the London at the 2012 Olympics. “I was fascinated by the size of horses and how they managed to get those big bodies over the jumps. One thing led to another and I jumped at the opportunity to enroll for Equine Sciences.
“I am grateful to Heversham Park, I need one practical year to complete and receive my diploma. I was pleasantly surprised to hear of their offer. It’s a dream come true”
Riley said: “Japhta will be resident on the farm and he will be getting hands-on involvement in stud farm and stable management, foaling, covering, feeding and all the aspects of a breeding operation. He will be receiving a stipend.”