Meet our German agent, Saskia
We
are delighted to welcome German-based agent Saskia to our growing Equus family.
In addition to being a globetrotter and experienced rider with her own horses
at home, Saskia brings a wealth of safari experience to the team and loves
nothing more than talk about Africa and horse safari adventures!
Can
you introduce yourself to our readers and riders?
Hello fellow horse travel enthusiasts! My name is
Saskia von Sperber and I am a horsey and
travel-mad artist from Germany. I was born and educated in Germany and started
to ride at the age of 6. I spent a year in Australia, travelling and working as
a Jillaroo, before my journey took me to Africa: training horses in Namibia and
working with various safari operators in Africa. In 2014, I returned to Germany
and now live here with my young children and an assortment of dogs and horses,
enjoying hunting and teaching children to ride.
You
have travelled far and wide and had the opportunity to work for several safari
outfitters in Southern Africa. What horse safari guides have you worked for?
I have worked for what was Reitsafari Namibia back
then – now the Namibia Horse Safari Company, the team that organises our trail
rides in Namibia. I subsequently worked for Limpopo Horse safari with Louise
(Tuli Trail), Horizon Horseback (Horizon Ranch, African Explorer) and Okavango
Horse Safaris (Kujwana).
This
must have been a very special experience – can you tell us more about it? Would you change anything about it?
I spent 10 years working in the horse safari industry
in Africa and absolutely loved it - it was hard work and it threw many
challenges at me but I am very grateful for everything I had the chance to
experience and learn. Some of my best friends are former work colleges and former
clients and I will treasure those years
for the rest of my life.
What
brought you to Africa in the first place? What inspired you to travel and work
with horses?
It was all a bit of a coincidence really - I got the
opportunity to work with horses on a farm in Namibia. Having always wanted to
travel to Africa I decided to take it and within two week, I knew that Africa was
for me!
You kept returning to Africa throughout the years… What is it about Africa/the bush
that you love so much?
Apart form the incredible wildlife, mind-blowing
landscapes, adventures in abundance and the chance to meet the most fun and
interesting people, you mean :-)? I just have a very strong sense of belonging
in Africa - it just feels like home.
You
are a qualified Field guide – what does this entail and where did you take the
exam?
In a nutshell you get taught how to bring back your
safari guests alive and well :-) You learn about fauna and flora, tracking skills, how
to handle a rifle, and how to show and teach your guests about the wildlife
without causing any or at least very little disturbance - basically the idea is
to give your guests a fantastic time in the wild without getting them into
danger - and should something dangerous arise how to get you all out of
trouble.
What
other safaris have you been on, and what is your most memorable moment from
your travels through Africa?
I have been on riding safaris in the Fish river canyon
and Bushmanland, Damaraland and Caprivi in Namibia. I also travelled quite extensively through South Africa and Botswana - apart form the horse Safaris I worked
for, I rode with David Foot who guides the Okavango Mobile safari and Kalahari
ride. I also stayed at Macatoo in the Okavango Delta, and did quite a few Jeep
, walking and canoe safaris throughout Botswana - both organised or just myself
or with friends. I also spent a season working for a safari camp in South
Luangwa, Zambia.
There were many, many memorable moments but crossing
the Namib desert for the first time was somewhat of an epiphany. I also
remember a cold , crisp morning in Mashatu (Botswana) watching two big elephant
bulls fighting in a dry riverbed from horseback - an incredibly sight. Some
close encounters with lions, elephants and buffalos I shall never forget, but I
think the most special moment was galloping alongside a herd of buffalo in the
Okavango Delta.
Have
you been on non-safari riding holidays?
I have done some trail riding in Canada, USA, Poland
and Spain.
What
rides (safari and non-safari!) are on your bucket list?
Kenya, Rajasthan in India, and hunting in England and Ireland!
Tell
us about your horses at home!
I am lucky enough to own the world’s best Shetland
pony who is my children’s best friend - he was the logical consequence to a
positive pregnancy test. I bought him off the side of the road as a two year
old and I love him to bits. He is very small, very fat but is incredibly
patient and kind and we have a lot of fun with him.
I lost my rather eccentric but brilliant and much loved
Trakehner mare last fall but was lucky enough to get a lovely little TB mare
from Ireland. She’s a very, very moody mare but has a super work ethic and will
basically do anything you ask her to do as long as you mean it! She’s only 5
now but I m planning to take her hunting next year. Named her Safari - as I
like saying “I’m on Safari!“.
In
addition to being an experienced rider and horse-owner, you are also an artist.
Most of your work seems to be inspired by Africa – can you tell us more about
your artwork?
Well, while living in Africa I certainly was most
inspired by the beauty around me but nowadays I paint mainly horses -and fat
ponies- as well as hounds. I discovered hunting over the past few years at it
seems to be the next best thing to a horse riding safari ;-) and so of my
paintings are very hunt-inspired these days!
What
essential advice would you give to someone going on a horse safari/a riding
holiday?
To be rather modest about your riding ability. Since
you will ride a horse you don’t know, with potentially different tack than what
you ride in at home, you may feel a bit out of your depth so rather choose to
be underhorsed then overhorsed. And to
bring your sense of humour on holiday!!!
How
do you feel about joining the team at Equus Journeys? :)
Like opening a bottle of bubbly :-)
More information
For more information, please visit our website and our selection of riding safaris. You can also contact Saskia directly at saskia.von.sperber@equus-journeys.com