SA SADDLE HORSE | 7TH EDITION - Magazine - Page 44
Wilmar Maningi and Nicole
Bester winning the World’s Open
Air 2021 Five Gaited Stallion
Championship
An American Saddlebred of boundless power and an
undeniable presence, Maningi is more than just a horse
to me - he is a living thread in my family’s story. The love
for American Saddlebreds runs deep in my father, Wim
Bester. A true horseman, he raised my sister and me by
example, teaching us that success is built on discipline,
resilience, and the courage to persevere when the road
feels steep. His passion for horses is tangible - you feel
it in the way he speaks, in the depth of his knowledge,
and in the reverence he carries for the sport.
through you the second you sit in the saddle. And every time
you ask, every soft cluck or squeeze, he answers with more.
That same passion stretches back another generation
to my granddad, Willem Bester, one of the pioneers
who first imported American Saddlebreds from the
United States. Horses were not simply an interest to
him; they were his life’s greatest passion. He laid the
groundwork for what would become far more than a
family hobby - it became our way of life.
In 2018, my own path shifted when I moved from Pretoria to
Stellenbosch to begin my studies, while my horses remained
behind. The distance created more than just physical
separation; it left a quiet but undeniable void in my life. So
in 2021, we made the pivotal decision to move Maningi to
Adriaan Odendaal at De Bosch Stables in Stellenbosch, a
decision that would shape the next chapter of our journey
together.
I was placed on a horse’s back before I could even walk.
From my earliest memories, horses have never existed
on the sidelines of my world; they have always been
at its centre. In Maningi, that heritage found one of its
most powerful expressions: strength, spirit, and heart,
carried forward through generations.
I still remember the first time I sat on his back. I had never in
my life felt that kind of raw power underneath me. He didn’t
simply move forward; he surged, as if energy was bursting out
of him. He was electric from the very beginning. It’s as though
he radiates energy - the kind that sends a charge straight
44 SA SADDLE HORSE
Maningi’s journey began under the expert eye of Neil
Valentine from Valentine Stables in Pretoria. From the outset,
Neil recognised that this was no ordinary horse - there was
a presence, a quality about Maningi that set him apart.When
Neil later relocated to the United States, Maningi’s path
continued seamlessly under the capable guidance of Enid
Norton, ensuring his development never lost momentum.
I had come to know Adriaan Odendaal through the SA
Saddle Seat circuit, and over the years we had built a
relationship grounded in mutual respect. The Dercksen
family, owners of De Bosch Stables, had always felt like
an extension of my own family, so entrusting Maningi to
them felt both natural and right.
Even so, the timing left little room for comfort. Our first
show together would be the prestigious World’s Open
Air Championships in Bloemfontein - just a few months
after his move to Stellenbosch.
