Our Valuable Team Members
After a few years in the private sector, Grant rejoined the SADF’s Potchefstroom Equestrian Centre as a farrier and, later, officer-in-charge of the Military Veterinary Institute. While there he completed the Advanced Riding Course and was awarded provincial colours in Dressage and Polocrosse. He returned to the private sector as a farrier and riding instructor until the passing of his wife, Barbara, after which he took up his current position as Callaho’s Stud Manager.
Besides 34 years’ experience in farriery, Grant is also a Level Two Riding Instructor and National Panel Dressage Judge, and has done courses in equine artificial insemination and equine dentistry. His interests include adventure motor cycling, archery, hunting and sport shooting. Grant has two sons, Dwayne, who also practices farriery, and Kyle who is a software developer, both excellent horsemen – as well as a grandson, Mathew, who has also inherited his grandfather’s passion for horses and the outdoors.
Marike is an integral part of the Callaho team and she is a walking database of all the horses to be found at the stud and even those sold off over the years.
Marike has completed the Argus Cycling Tour and is an avid reader. In her spare time she does Warmblood genetic and pedigree research and loves riding her stud horse, Le Grand.
Shadrack has worked in all of the different sections at Callaho, thus making him the most versatile and experienced staff member. His favourite section is breeding, where he currently assists in addition to his management duties.
Ace is married with two children- a boy of 4 years and a girl of 7, and enjoys soccer and watching movies. Shadrack is one of the happiest, most positive members of the team, and although firm he is also very fair. He is well liked and respected by all of the Callaho staff members.
Megan still enjoys painting/drawing in her free time as well as reading, spending time with friends and riding.
In 2017 she became Assistant Stable Manager and is responsible for the care and wellbeing of the external/veld horses. She also schedules and oversees the farriers’ visits and the everyday handling of the foals and weanlings.
Johnny was born in the small town of Hoopstad, in the Free State. He was educated in the local school in Christiana and at Grey College, and was always passionate about caring for people and animals. During his 2006 school holiday Johnny worked part-time at Callaho as a member of the veld or field team, which oversees all horses outside of the training section and performs post-veterinary nursing care. A year later he was offered a full-time position as assistant stable manager, a position he held until 2012 when he was promoted to the position of medical manager.
Johnny enjoys the outdoors, meeting new people and making friends, as well as participating in novel activities. He also enjoys travel and spending time with his own animals, of which his Friesians are his pride and joy.
Bennie is married to Flora, who also works at Callaho, and together they have two beautiful children. In 2006 Bennie started his career at Callaho and has successfully worked his way up to Assistant Maintenance Manager. Bennie is responsible for maintaining safe fencing for all the horses as well as the daily upkeep of camps and arenas. He is the go-to guy for most things and is a valuable member of the team.
In his off time he likes to spend time with his family and is very passionate about playing soccer.
After matriculating at Hoërskool Overkruin in Pretoria she followed her equine love affair by completing the Equine Science National Diploma at Tshwane University of Technology. Tani had the fantastic opportunity to do part of her practical year at Burlington Stables under the watchful eyes of Anna-Marie Esslinger and David Wilken.
To complete the breeding aspect of her practical year another lifelong dream came true when she joined Callaho Warmblood Stud as a work rider!
In 2018 she became Assistant Training Manager at Callaho. Being at Callaho also triggered a keen passion in the breeding aspect on the farm and she was fortunate enough to learn under the guidance of Grant Store and Dr Nico Hendrikz. She is now assisting in all breeding aspects at the Stud.
Tani is a qualified Provincial Level 2 course designer under the mentorship of Anna-Marie Esslinger. She is an enthusiastic showjumper and applied her skills up to 1.2m level.
Lucas speaks English, Afrikaans, and of course his native tongue Setswana, fluently and has two sons (three and seven years of age).
He enjoys reading and listening to the radio, especially with regards to news and current affairs. He is also an avid soccer fan.
Rainer has been part of the Callaho Stud team for 12 years. Some of Rainer’s top horses include Callaho Forlandus, Callaho Lansink, Callaho Egalite and Clouny 3 which are all competing very successfully in the 1.30m-1.60m classes.
Rainer’s achievements include winning the Burlington Cup in 2009 and 2012, winning the 1.50m Victor Ludorum at the SA Derby in 2013, and winning the SA Riders Championships in 2013. Rainer has consistently been in the top 10 SA Rider rankings the last couple of years.
Evi went to boarding school in the Midlands, where she learned to ride with Sarah de la Hey. At the age of 15, Evi moved to Forsyte Stud, under the guidance of Grant and Carla Langley where she debuted on the competitive scene, ultimately being selected to represent Kwa-Zulu Natal in Showjumping in 2009 and 2010 as a junior.
After which, Evi took a gap year and moved back home to the Free State where she worked as a rider for Callaho in 2011 and 2012. Taking the scenic route through university whilst ensuring she spends more than adequate amounts of time riding her horses, Evi is completing her degree in Interior Design.
Evi and the apple of her eye, Callaho’s Carnaval La Silla ride and train under Top SA Showjumping Duo, Barry and Lorette Knowles-Taylor and have ended this year jumping in the open classes together.
Carnaval, “The Professor” has been “a horse of a lifetime” for Evi, and she cannot wait for what is still in store for them in the remainder of their competitive years together.
Carl has been riding for Callaho for 8 years and currently competes on Callaho stallions Corinth and Casparon. Carl’s two top horses currently are Dino and Cardoso WH, both competing in the open classes. He competed in his first Derby on Cardoso WH in 2014 and was 2nd on Dino in the Mini Derby in 2014. His greatest achievements have been to win the Burlington Cup in 2012, the 1* event at ICB, Northern Farms and Shongweni, and being placed 3rd at the 2* event at Oaksprings.
Show jumping is a passion and an ambition for Govett and he has been riding most of his life, He has competed at international level (1m50) for 8 years – currently on the three Callaho mares – the 15 year old black mare Callaho Elektra , Callaho Balabushka (a nine year old) and Callaho C–Ultra (ten years old).
Govett’s major recent show jumping achievements include: Winner Presidents cup March 2014 (on C-Ultra), placed in World cup qualifiers 2014 (in Port Elizabeth and Polokwane – Callaho Balabushka), winner of the SA Riders championships in 2012 and 3rd place in 2013 (both on Callaho Louisa), winner of GHS championship 2013, KZN Grand Prix 2013, Riders Grand Prix Polokwane 2013 (Callaho Elektra). At close of 2014 Govett was ranked in the top 10 riders in RSA.
