Two young Namibians - Maya Janbey and Jonel Coetzee - are currently in Italy, taking part in the Young Riders and Junior World Endurance Championships at San Rossore. 18-year old Janbey, having completed 7371.7 kilometres since she began riding at the age of seven and with an impressive track record of achievements, is taking a quick break from her final year studies at school to represent Namibia at the event she already participated in in 2017. She obtained Full FEI Rider status in January 2015 and obtained her Elite Rider Status in 2017, the latter being awarded only once a rider has completed 10 x 120km rides. Since 2016 Janbey has been placed third, fourth and this year second in the African Championship's 120km rides. The Otjiwarongo-based rider, who has also had successful outings into the eventing discipline, is joined by 17-year old Jonel Coetzee. She too represented Namibia at the event in 2017; and obtained her Full FEI Rider status in 2016 and her Elite Rider Status in 2018. The Namibians are up against over a hundred other competitors representing 35 Nations. Coetzee and Janbey finished 45th and 48th out of 120 riders respectively in 2017 and will be looking to improve on this feat. Janbey and Coetzee are able to take part at the championship due to the kind support of Bornman Endurance Team (SA), El Shakir, Araco’s Johaco Arabians, Hat to Hoof Equestrian Supplies and Pronto Global Air and Ocean Freight, as well as the Namibian Equestrian Federation (NAMEF) and its endurance arm NERA.