Horse whisperer makes career of unbridled love of riding

A passion for horses from an early age turned into a lifelong labour of love for a veteran Gqeberha horsewoman who has kept her riding school flag flying high.

With an unbridled understanding of horses and the little people who ride them, Saskia de Kock has run a successful riding school and livery yard, Guinea Fowl Stables, for more than 17 years.

Always eager to share her decades of riding and teaching experience with those wanting to learn, De Kock became interested in horses when she was four.

Her dedication to learning is displayed in an impressive collection of horse books in her home.

She loves to find new ideas for lessons and working with the horses she adores.

“There is always something to learn with horses and I’m sure I will be discovering new things for many years [to come],” De Kock said.

Her teaching career kicked off at Welcome Stables in East London in 1991 doing lessons and beach rides.

De Kock and her sister Sharon Mallinson established Ngwenya Riding School in Cover Ridge in 1992.

Love and family led De Kock to relocate to Gqeberha, but she continued to teach children at riding schools in the metro.

She later established Oceanview Stables and started with two pupils on a Saturday using Albatross, a school horse she had brought from East London.

The school grew to 65 pupils and 16 horses.

In 2004, De Kock and her husband, Ken, bought a farm and Guinea Fowl Stables was born.

The school offers lessons to pupils from six years old.

A half lease option on her school horses make it a more affordable option for a pupil, rather than owning a horse.

Many of her pupils start riding when they are in primary school and De Kock sees them through to adulthood.

“I really enjoy that my past pupils [who] are still involved with horses often contact me for advice and still make time to visit me.”

Her first pupil, then just 12, is now 42, with her own small yard. 

“I’m so glad to have made such a positive impact on many of my pupils,” De Kock said.

She stables seven school ponies and though she teaches most disciplines, including show jumping, dressage and cross country, her focus is teaching children to ride for enjoyment.

She often hosts holiday camps and encourages pupils to take full responsibility by catching, grooming and tacking up the ponies.

De Kock said it was not always easy finding suitable ponies for a riding school.

Over the years she was also given a few ponies which she schooled with the help of her daughters Kelsey, 20, and Hanna,17.

“All my ponies are part of the family.

“I’m often asked who my favourite school pony is, but that is like asking who your favourite child is.

“They all creep into my heart in different ways.”

Buccaneer has been with the family the longest, and turns 21 along with Kelsey this year.

While running the riding school and assisting her daughters with graded shows, De Kock decided to take a break from competing.

“Arthritis in my neck put an end to my competitive career.

“I now enjoy hacking, schooling and just riding for fun,” she said.

De Kock said Ken had been her constant supporter.