Latest News - DECEMBER 2010

Another season draws to a close as the summer rains fill up the rivers & vlei's, and a green carpet sprouts up over the reserve. LVHS enjoyed a busy season this year filled with fantastic sightings and riding. There were more leopard & lion sightings off horseback this year compared to other years and incredible sightings of large herds of relaxed elephants. Along with the end of the year highlights, we welcome a few new faces and say farewell to familiar ones.

Saskia von Sperber has joined the LVHS team as the new stable manager ensuring that the stables, horses & tackroom are in tip top shape. Saskia's attention to detail & love for horses and the bush is evident in her work and many return guests will remember her from Fort Jamesons in 2005.

We also welcome a new addition to the equine team- Max. Max is a purebred boerperd with a lovely, kind character and very brave in the bush. He has already done a few stints as David's back-up horse and is coming along in his schooling. We are confident he will be a super safari horse next year.

Gizmo (pictured above with Saskia) is another addition, a stocky thoroughbred with lots of spunk- perfect for the experienced rider, he competed on the same team as Louise and Coolmore in the Inter-Africa Cup for dressage in April.

We are also looking after a juvenile Gymnogene we've named 'Soviet'. We found him in the bush with a sore wing & he is now recouping well in our enclosed vegetable garden. We hope in a few weeks time we will be able to release him back into the wild.

Right: Sahara with Cor.....

A few sad farewell's to some of our equine friends- Sahara was a big part of the LVHS team for many years serving as West's lead horse. Unfortunately he had developed cancer in his one eye and we therefore decided to retire him to a lovely farm near Johannesburg. We hear he is doing well and enjoying the company of the other horses there- including some mares! On a very sad note we had to put down the young and very sweet appaloosa Mars. He was just coming into his own when he twisted his gut.

And after three years at LVHS Malora our very capable assistant will be moving on:

"I have had three fantastic years working for LVHS. Everyday has been choc-a-block filled with adventures, memories, laughs & logistical challenges to keep me on my toes. I cannot begin to explain the extent to which LVHS has built on my character, the invaluable lessons I have learnt from Louise, Cor and the local staff. I am humbled at the opportunities I have had here and all that I have been part of in creating this fantastic company. Needless to say my riding has improved substantially and I will miss every one of the horses here and the quiet hacks out in the bush. It was truly a pleasure meeting everyone from different walks of life with a shared passion. I will miss LVHS & the Tuli immensely."

We also welcome a new addition to the family... young Adam John Carelsen born on the 2nd October in Pretoria... an early Christmas presnt for his brother Jamie??

And Mpho and Louise are off to a one day event in Johannesburg on the 11th December with Oliver Twist (pictured below) and Coolmore so will keep you posted…

Despite volcanoes spewing ash, BA strikes and the on-going recession we have had a super year and hope that you have too! We look forward to a busy 2011 and wish you all the best for the holidays ahead...

Cor, Louise and THE LVHS TEAM!

Previous Newsletters

April 2010 Newsletter
Christmas 2009 Newsletter
June 2009 Newsletter
Mothabaneng Village Tour
End of Year 2008 Newsletter
May 2008 Newsletter
Spring 2008 Newsletter
December 2007 Newsletter
July 2007 Newsletter
April 2007 Newsletter
November 2006 Newsletter
October 2006 Newsletter
June 2006 Newsletter
March 2006 Newsletter
December 2005 Newsletter
May 2005 Newsletter
November 2004 Newsletter