Kruger’s Olympic dream

21 May, 2017 - 00:05 0 Views
Kruger’s Olympic dream GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS . . . Camilla Kruger in action during the Event Riders’ Masters.

The Sunday Mail

Brighton Zhawi
ZIMBABWE’S first ever Olympic Equestrian, Camilla Kruger, is already working towards a second ride at the global sporting event.

“Training for Tokyo,” reads Kruger’s latest Whatsapp status.

The 30-year-old Event Rider is determined to shine at the next Olympics set for Japan in 2020 after making her debut at last year’s jamboree in Rio, Brazil.

She placed 35th in the individual competition but she hopes to better that performance at Tokyo 2020. “It is all to do with the next Olympics,” Kruger told The Sunday Mail in an interview from the UK last week.

“Everything I do now with my training and competitions is working towards an ultimate goal which is the Tokyo Olympics. “You could say it is a personal reminder keeping my eye on the prize,” she said.

Kruger lives in Cranbrook in Kent and last weekend she had her confidence ‘boosted’ after placing 17th out of 40 participants in the Event Riders Masters in Chatsworth.

“It was very exciting, such an atmosphere and I felt very special to be amongst the elite riders. It has boosted my confidence a lot.

“I did a PB in the Dressage phase, which I am very happy about as I have been working hard to improve this phase because that’s weakness phase,” she said.

Up next for Kruger, who moved to Sussex aged six, but would visit Zimbabwe in-between years, is Luhmuhlen in Germany in June. “We have plans for each season and we are all working towards Tokyo.

She recalls an ‘inspirational’ Rio experience where she shed tears during the opening ceremony of her debut Olympics appearance.

“Rio was an inspirational experience and has given me more drive and determination. I have grown in confidence with my ability which has improved my recent performances,” said Kruger.

She cherishes her relationship with her horse Sam the Man, whose competition name is Biarritz. “We are very close and know each other very well.

“I have had him since he was four years old, he is now 11,” she said. The history making lady foresees a bright future in the sport in  Zimbabwe.

“I was recently out in Zimbabwe for the Event Azaluna International and I saw a lot of up and coming stars and fantastic enthusiasm for the equestrian sports.

“I see a good future if this enthusiasm continues. I hope to keep encouraging the next generation to keep coming through,” Kruger ‘loved horses’ since she was a child and her feat has proved dreams can true.

“No dream is too big; believe in yourself every step of the way. Never lose focus of your goals and remember to smile along the journey,” she said

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