South African born and raised dressage rider, Nichola Mohr, has set the wheels in motion to fulfil her dream of riding and competing her own horse overseas with the eventual goal of riding for South Africa at the Olympic Games. Earlier this year she loaded her best friend, Callaho Winston, onto a flight to the island of Mauritius for him to wait out his mandatory quarantine before flying off to Olympic dressage rider, Tanya Seymour’s yard in Germany where him and Nichola will be based.

“It has always been a dream of mine to compete internationally and in the Olympics for my country,” says Nichola. “To be able to ride alongside my idol, Charlotte Dujardin, would be a dream come true!”

Nichola, whose love of horses and riding career started before she could even walk, has been seriously competing since she was 8 years old, and in the last 18years since then has competed her horses up to Grand Prix level. “My greatest riding achievement to date definitely has to be competing my off-the-track thoroughbred up to Grand Prix level,” says Nichola. Nichola has been in the Western Province team since the age of 10 and during that time has also represented South Africa. She has also been invited to train and compete at international yards in Germany, Holland, New Zealand and in the UK.

Winston comes from the highly esteemed Callaho Stud, and was bought by Nichola at their annual auction in 2013. “We don't often try the horses out before the Callaho Auction, but in 2013 we went to try the horses and Winston was the only one I was interested in. We bought his brother, Fabriccio, 2 years before and we loved working with him, which made me want Winston even more,” explains Nichola. “The day of the auction arrived and I'd never been so cold before. Just before Lot no: 9 – Winston - was meant to make his way into the arena, a huge gust of wind blew through the outdoor arena and spooked the horses warming up there. Winston's rider turned him to stop, he lost his footing and slipped. His rider had to be airlifted to hospital. When Winston finally made it to the indoor arena with a new rider and a handler on the ground, not surprisingly there weren't many bids on him and we were able to get him!”

At the beginning of the year, Nichola and Winston competed in their first Inter A (Medium Tour) test. “It's a very special feeling that you get when you compete a horse you've trained yourself to that level, you get to know them so well and they trust you when they're faced with something challenging,” beams Nichola. “I'm really excited at the thought of being able to compete in those beautiful arenas overseas, where I will get the chance to compete against my idols! I can’t wait to learn all there is to know about riding at that level as well as the training and management of the dressage horses overseas.”

To raise some of the funds needed to make Nichola and Winston’s dreams come true, Nichola, along with her family and friends will be hosting a special day at the races at Kenilworth Race Course on Saturday 03 November. “This will be so much more than just a day at the races, no punches have been pulled, and there will be entertainment for the whole family, horsey and non-horsey orientated, as well as fun events between the races to keep you on your toes.

To book your tickets for this special race day please contact Linda Mohr on 082 785 2511 or Linda Hennings on 083 743 7203.

Facebook page - @NicholaMohrDressage

As a leading provider of accommodation and logistic solutions at large sport events KhayaMedia is undergoing a rebranding. “Until now we were known as KhayaMedia but most clients refer to us as “Khaya”, explains CEO Volkhard Bauer.  

In a short period of nine years this destination management company has become a household name amongst broadcasters and other media companies.  

The relaunch is a consequence of the broadening of the client base. The company now also provides services to corporate sponsors, sport federations and tour operators, as well as many other clients requiring accommodation and logistic solutions.  

“We provide everything from hotel rooms and serviced apartments to dedicated drivers and translators at large sport events,” explains Global Sales Director Rafael Sperotto.  

Word of the high levels of service Khaya provides has spread. This has resulted in new clients and exciting developments for the company.  

Understanding each country like a local   

Khaya currently has offices in nine countries around the world. This strategy ensures full control of the services provided and Khaya is able to maintain a high standard at international sporting events.  

Carefully selected local personnel are given comprehensive training and therefore clients benefit from dealing with local staff that speak the language and can bridge the cultural differences.  

With the strengthening of the teams at its offices in Seoul and Tokyo the company is ready to support its clients and is also open for cooperation with other companies seeking to move into these exciting territories.    

Unique accommodation solutions  

Sourcing suitable accommodation at a global event is a challenge for any visitor, and even more so for groups who have particular requirements. Khaya has demonstrated that it is able to find solutions for these challenges.  

“Rio was our biggest challenge so far,” reveals Volkhard. “Due to the lack of hotel rooms we turned 500 private apartments into fully serviced accommodation. It's been a great team effort.”  

All 55 clients at the Games were impressed with the quality and convenient location of the apartments, which were within walking distance to the Olympic Park and IBC. Khaya provided in excess of 50 000 room nights’ accommodation at Rio 2016. Together with the 20 000 room nights it secured for the UEFA EURO in France the company can look back at two events, where it proved its ability and strengthened its market position.  

Further afield, the company’s team in Moscow recently announced that it has concluded major deals with various hotel groups in preparation for the FIFA World Cup and is ready to supply a wide variety of accommodation as well as transport in all the host cities.  

News from Korea is that finding accommodation in PyeongChang is the biggest challenge for everyone planning to attend the Winter Games. However, Khaya in on track to fulfil the needs of broadcasters and Olympic Federations.  

New brand to be launched at SPORTELMonaco  

The new brand, name and logo, will be launched at the SPORTELMonaco Convention. “What will stay are our dedication and the red shirts our team is recognized by at large events,” says Rafael with a smile.  

SPORTELMonaco exhibitors and visitors will be able to meet the new Khaya at Stand A55.  

Ready for the future  

With the successful delivery at recent events in mind, Khaya is preparing for its next highlights.  

The upcoming events include:  

• 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang
• 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia
• 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan
• 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo
• 2020 UEFA EURO in Europe

Today Khaya looks forward to a bright future with its new name, new look, and a solid strategy to provide clients with exceptional service at major international events.