Our DEE
Junior Ambassadors
Hanno Niemand
At just 16 years old, Hanno Niemand is making his mark in the equestrian world. Introduced to horses at a young age through his grandfather, Arno van der Merwe—who bred Arabians and Friesians—Hanno’s true riding journey began in 2021 after his grandfather’s passing.
Starting in Rustenburg, NW, competing in SANESA, he quickly progressed to graded shows under the guidance of Oscar Ncube. Now, as a dedicated rider and young horse producer, Hanno is focused on developing his strong string of two talented horses, Capital Hayward and Callaho Lissandro, while working towards competing at higher levels in 2025. His long-term ambition is to ride professionally in Europe.
Beyond competition, Hanno is passionate about shaping the equestrian industry and raising awareness about the deep history and significance of horses. He believes in fostering greater respect for these incredible animals and is determined to make a difference—both in and out of the arena.
Amelia Hillary
Meet Amelia Hillary – Young, Determined & Full of Heart
At just 12 years old, Amelia is already making waves in the equestrian world.
Riding since she was 2 and training seriously from age 4, she now competes with her pony Ginger Mary and horse Callaho Reckless.
Currently competing at 80-90cm and training up to 1m10, Amelia shines in showjumping, equitation, dressage, and showing. With her sights set on 1m50 one day, she’s working hard under the guidance of coach Michael Blom and Robert Archer, with major shows like SANESA, SA Champs, and SA Derby on her calendar.
Her go-to DEE outfit? DEE Black Comfort Breggings and a floral baselayer - comfy, neat, and a reflection of her bright personality.
Amelia looks up to Giorgia Scribante, not only for her skill as a rider, but for the genuine love and horsemanship she shows her horses - something Amelia values deeply in her own journey.
When asked to share her favourite horse quote, Amelia offered two beautiful reminders of why we love this sport so much:
“God made doctors to help heal the body. But he made horses to help heal the soul.” and “I am still under the impression that there is nothing alive quite so beautiful as a horse.”
We couldn’t agree more. Welcome to the team, Amelia – we’re proud to have you representing our brand!
Jasché Uys
Jasché Uys is a passionate and driven 17-year-old rider based in Cape Town, South Africa. She began riding at the age of 9, initially exploring western games before discovering her true passion for English riding—particularly showjumping. Today, she primarily competes in showjumping but also takes part in dressage and equitation, with the occasional eventing and showing competition in her spare time.
Her promising warmblood gelding, Zydor, was purchased unseen as a stallion from Johannesburg. Since then, Jasché has produced and schooled him herself. He is currently competing at 1.10m in showjumping, Novice level in dressage, and Intermediate in equitation. With great potential ahead, she’s excited to watch him grow and excel. She has also recently formed a new partnership with a talented little horse named Random, who has previously competed up to 1.20m. Jasché describes him as “a firecracker with the heart of a lion,” and is equally enthusiastic about their future together.
Jasché is a highly goal-oriented rider who aspires to reach open levels soon with her two incredible equine teammates. She attributes much of her progress to the deep trust and connection she shares with them—both inside and outside the arena. For Jasché, their bond reflects her genuine love for horses, and she is endlessly grateful for every moment spent in their company.
She also acknowledges that her journey would not have been possible without the support of her horses, coaches, parents, and wider community.
Jasché continues to work hard every day, both in and out of the saddle, to strengthen her bond with her horses, work toward shared goals, and pursue her dream with unwavering passion and dedication.
Annebelle Coetzee
Annebelle Coetzee (Belle) is a passionate and dedicated 13-year-old rider based in Kyalami, South Africa. She began riding at just four years old, and hasn’t looked back since. Belle actively competes in Show Jumping, Prix Caprilli, and most recently, Working Riding - constantly pushing her limits in the competitive equestrian world.
Confetti
Her equestrian journey has been closely intertwined with Confetti, a stunning 14.3hh Dun South African Boerperd mare. The pair first met in Ballito while Belle was visiting her grandfather - and it was love at first sight. Though Confetti was still green with only basic training, their bond and hard work over the past three years have seen them reach great heights, now confidently jumping 1m pony classes.
Career Highlights with Confetti:
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Selected for the SANESA A Team in both Show Jumping and Prix Caprilli
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Double 1st Place finishes in SANESA 1m Show Jumping
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2nd Place in SANESA Prix Caprilli
Big King
Now transitioning onto Big King, a majestic 16.3hh Chestnut Thoroughbred gelding previously owned and produced by her grandfather, Belle has shown impressive results in a short time. Their partnership is just five months old, but already showing great promise.
Career Highlights with Big King (Penbritte Graded Shows):
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4th Place in 90cm Show Jumping
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2nd & 1st Place finishes in 90cm Show Jumping – THB Series
Looking Ahead
As Belle begins to outgrow Confetti, she plans to continue showcasing her beloved pony’s beauty through in-hand showing while focusing on her growth with Big King. Her goal? To reach the 1.30m classes and compete alongside the best junior riders in the country. With her fearless spirit, natural talent, and the most honest partner in Big King, her future is undoubtedly bright.
Belle is a proud supporter of DEE drawn to the brand’s unmatched quality and stylish designs. We are thrilled to have this rising star as part of our Ambassador Team.
Erin-Rae Ratcliffe
Meet Erin-Rae Ratcliffe – DEE Junior Ambassador
At just 13 years old, Erin-Rae Ratcliffe brings incredible passion, dedication, and talent to the DEE Team as our newest Junior Ambassador. A multi-disciplined rider with a special love for show jumping, Erin-Rae has already made her mark on the South African equestrian scene. She currently holds the top junior ranking in the country for both the 1.10m division on her horse Africa’s Gold and the 1.00m on Duchess of Africa – two horses she has proudly produced herself.
Erin-Rae’s riding journey began before she could even walk, and her commitment shines through in every aspect of her equestrian life. Under the guidance of her coaches, Maree Lamont and Nicky Wolmarans, she trains and competes daily, sharing her journey with an engaged and growing audience on social media. Whether she’s retraining off-the-track Thoroughbreds or stepping into the ring, Erin-Rae is passionate about the future of the sport—and equally excited to represent a brand like DEE that aligns with her goals and values.