Twice as Nice Thoroughbreds

🌟 The Transformation of Avro Prince so far. 🌟

There is nothing quite as rewarding as watching a thoroughbred find their rhythm in a second career, and Avro Prince is proving to be absolute magic. ✨

It is hard to believe he is almost turning 6 and has already been two years off the track! The patience, consistency, and time are truly starting to pay off as he steps away from his racing days and into his true power.

The transformation lately has been incredible to watch:

💪 The Athlete's Build: His topline is developing beautifully, and those proper sports horse muscles are really filling out.

✨ Unstoppable Charm: He is finding his presence, carrying himself with a new level of confidence and that striking charisma that turns heads.

🐴 The Ultimate All-Rounder: He is shaping up to be a total superstar in both dressage and show jumping. His willing attitude, rhythm, and scope are making him a dream to produce and ride.

The journey with an OTTB requires trust and time, but moments like this make every single second worth it.

Watch this space—this boy has a massive future ahead of him! 🚀❤️

So very TRUE !!

A Thoroughbred comes out of racing with a completely different education. Different balance. Different responses to pressure. Different instincts. Yet people often buy them because they’re “more affordable”, then become frustrated when the horse doesn’t immediately behave like a purpose-bred sport horse that’s been produced slowly from the beginning.

The problem is not the Thoroughbred. It’s the expectation.

Let’s not beat around the bush… OTTBs are sensitive, reactive, intelligent horses that have been conditioned for speed, routine, and intensity. They are not failed warmbloods. They are not unfinished copies of something else. They are their own type of athlete, and they deserve to be understood as such.

Too often, riders expect immediate relaxation, perfect contact, easy transitions, and a quiet brain, while ignoring the fact that the horse has never been taught any of those things. Then, when tension appears, the horse gets labelled difficult instead of underprepared. The chilled out ones like Cruzador are out there for sure, but you’ll often find these horses are slightly older, had more mileage on the track, possibly have more wear and tear, and have matured into their personalities well. Babies are more unpredictable and still unsure of themselves.

A Thoroughbred will give you honesty before putting on a brave face. They will reflect your bad timing, your misdirected pressure, your inconsistency, and your lack of patience with brutal accuracy. That is NOT a flaw, it’s the breed. And it will humble most riders.

Fitting his fly sheet and flymask. Preparing Diesel for his new paddock Millstream Equestrian Centre.

💚💚All the love and attention.💚💚

Thank you Misha.

Lizelle Venter
Soné Tenreiro
Louis Harmse
zalala_equestrian_centre
Danéll van Rooyen

🐎 Farewell to a Legend: Sour Diesel 🐎

It’s a bittersweet day at Zalala Equestrian Centre as we turn the page on one of the most special chapters in our stable’s history.

From the moment we imported Sour Diesel all the way from KwaZulu-Natal in 2022, we knew he was destined for greatness beyond the racetrack. We watched him transition into his second career with a heart of gold and a "give it my all" attitude. His very first show confirmed what we already knew—this horse was a superstar in the making.

🌟 A Winning Legacy
In June 2024, Diesel found his perfect match in Berthus Harmse. For two incredible years, they were the ultimate team, consistently placing in the top ranks of 90cm and 1m classes. Berthus, thank you for the hours of dedication and love you poured into him; you truly helped shape him into the incredible athlete he is today.

❤️ A New Beginning
Yesterday was a day of many tears—from our team, from Berthus, and even from Diesel’s devoted groom, Filipe. But as the saying goes, when one door closes, a beautiful new one opens.
We are beyond thrilled to announce that Misha Venter is Diesel’s new "forever person." Misha, you were the first to view him, and the connection was instant. You rode him like a pro, and we could see the joy in Diesel’s eyes—he knew he was home.

To Misha:
• Thank you for loving him before he was even yours.
• You haven't just bought a horse; you've gained a partner who will do anything for you.
• We cannot wait to follow your journey together!

💔 Always in Our Hearts
Diesel, we will miss your presence at Zalala Equestrian Centre, and your stable mate Rambo’s Glory misses you just as much as we do.

Go conquer the world, big boy. You deserve every bit of happiness.

Congratulations, Misha! We’ll be cheering you both on from the sidelines! 🎉🐴✨

zalala_equestrian_centre
Louis Harmse
Danéll van Rooyen
Soné Tenreiro
Lizelle Venter
Millstream Equestrian Centre