Young equestrian Ivan Meyer, a Darling resident, is proving that dedication, determination and versatility can pave the way to success across multiple equestrian disciplines.

Already an accomplished competitor in the South African Western Mounted Games (SAWMGA), Ivan is a proud member of the SAWMGA SAEF Team and was honoured as the SAWMGA Western Cape Child Sportsman of the Year.

His achievements in the arena have established him as a talented horseman with exceptional riding ability and a passion for continuous improvement.

According to Ivan’s mother, Margot Uys, he began his polo cross journey in 2025, competing in the C Division with the Cape Unicorns. “His commitment to the sport and natural horsemanship quickly became evident as he gained valuable experience throughout the season,” she said.

Building on that foundation, Ivan started the 2026 season in the B Division, “where he has continued to develop into a confident and competitive player. His progress has been reflected in consistent performances at tournaments throughout the year,” Uys said.

One of the highlights of his season was the Cape Clash in Paarl, followed by the honour of representing the Western Cape at the Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT) and Junior Classics in Bishopstowe, KwaZulu-Natal.

Uys reiterated that competing against some of South Africa’s top young players provided Ivan with valuable experience and the platform to showcase his ability at provincial level.

Ivan recently travelled to the PE Polocrosse Open, where his performance earned him one of the tournament’s top individual honours. Competing in the B Division, he was named Best No. 1 Player.

According to Uys, Ivan’s transition from SAWMGA to polocrosse has been a natural progression. “The balance, horsemanship and athleticism developed through Western Mounted Games have provided a strong foundation, while polocrosse has challenged him to grow as a team player, tactician and competitor,” she said.

“Despite his growing list of achievements, Ivan remains focused on learning and improving while proudly representing the Western Cape. His humility, work ethic and commitment to his horses continue to earn him the respect of fellow competitors and supporters,” Uys said.

She believes Ivan is establishing himself as one of the Western Cape’s promising young equestrian athletes, with the ability to excel across more than one equestrian discipline.

“As he continues to build on his achievements, his dedication, sportsmanship and determination suggest that this is only the beginning of what could be a very successful equestrian career,” Uys concluded.