Equestrian at Pecanwood College

Alyssa Ducray • September 14, 2021

What a ride it has been!

At the age of 5 years old my chosen sport was Equestrian. Other children may have chosen netball or swimming or any other sport but I decided to pursue my passion and love that I have for horses.

I have been riding for 13 years. I started competing for Pecanwood College when I was 8 years old which is when I attended my first National Competition, competing for the North West Province. 

10 years later, I am leading the North West team to Nationals and competed for the last time as a Pecanwood College athlete.
These 10 years have been incredible. I will certainly miss being a part of the Pecanwood College team as I matriculate with the Class of 2021.

Our Pecanwood College equestrian team has worked hard this year and I am very proud of our riders as we qualify and attend Nationals 2021, representing the North West Province.

I had the privilege of being the Captain of the Pecanwood College Equestrian team for 2021 as well as the North West Bojanala team for 2021. I am beyond grateful for being given these opportunities.

I have fortunately been surrounded by very supportive Pecanwood College teachers, family members and friends throughout this duration of time. I wish the current and future riders the best of luck and strength as our Pecanwood team grows.
Hard work and dedication goes in to our sport. Your team mate is an animal. Horses will try their best for you and the bond that is created with our horses is irreplaceable. This is what makes this sport so rewarding and fulfilling. 

Equestrian definitely has its highs and lows with many life lessons learned, but at the end of the day the love for our horses will never change and because of my Pecanwood College journey, I will forever be in the saddle.
July 7, 2026
Twenty years of trusted education meets expanded opportunities, greater accessibility and future-ready learning from January 2027. Families across Hartbeespoort can look forward to an even stronger independent school offering as Pecanwood College becomes Pinnacle College Pecanwood from January 2027. The transition brings together two decades of local educational excellence with the academic strength, innovation and opportunities offered by the expanding Pinnacle Colleges network. Current and prospective families stand to benefit from a school that retains everything the community values while opening the door to even greater opportunities. Pinnacle College Pecanwood will preserve the school's caring culture, close relationships, boarding facilities, IEB curriculum, sporting tradition and vibrant co-curricular programme, while providing students access to a broader network recognised for academic excellence, future-focused learning and preparation for life beyond school. Pecanwood College has proudly served the Hartbeespoort community for 20 years, offering education from the early years through to Grade 12, including boarding. Dedicated teachers, a nurturing environment, strong IEB academic results and diverse sporting and cultural opportunities have established the school as a respected educational institution in the region. That solid foundation will now be enhanced through the wider Pinnacle Colleges network. Students and teachers will benefit from shared academic expertise, established operational excellence and opportunities to participate in broader academic, cultural and sporting initiatives across multiple campuses. Pinnacle Colleges equips students for tertiary education and successful careers through a balanced approach that combines academic excellence with innovation, career guidance, coding and robotics, technology-enabled learning and holistic personal development. Respect, responsibility and a strong sense of community remain central to every campus experience. Academic success already defines Pecanwood College. The Class of 2025 achieved an impressive 98.59% matric pass rate, a 94.36% Bachelor's Degree pass rate and an average of 1.9 distinctions per student. Pinnacle College Pecanwood will build on these achievements through strengthened academic systems, shared expertise and continued commitment to outstanding IEB education. The name Pinnacle College Pecanwood honours both the school's proud heritage and its exciting future. Twenty years of commitment by students, teachers, families and the wider community remain firmly embedded in the school's identity, while its new name reflects membership of one of South Africa's fastest-growing independent school groups dedicated to innovation, accessibility and student success. Hartbeespoort families can now enjoy the best of both worlds: a close-knit community lifestyle paired with access to a high-quality independent education close to home. Pinnacle College Pecanwood is well positioned to become the school of choice for families seeking exceptional academic opportunities, future-ready skills and an environment where every student can thrive.
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