The Welbech Arabian Stud lies within the vast 13,000 hectare Schanskraal Private Estate, located in the Great Karoo of South Africa, (90kms from Graaff Reinet).

It was established in 2003 by Leanne Wels in partnership with Roger Beach, the owner of the Schanskraal Estate, to breed pure Arabian and Arabian cross Endurance horses for sale to both South African and overseas buyers. The hardiness of terrain and altitude of some 1,500 metres making it an ideal environment in which to breed and train Karoo Endurance horses.

Over the years, Leanne, a champion Endurance competitor herself and past captain of both junior and senior South African teams, has applied her extensive knowledge to the breeding, training and maintaining of our stable, hand picking superlative blood lines, predominantly Crabbet and Egyptian. The Welbech Endurance Team compete in numerous FEI and ERASA rides across South Africa during the course of the year as part of the intensive training programme of their horses.

Since 2010 extensive development has been taking place at the Welbech Stud to incorporate new landscaped fenced and gated paddocks with large individual areas for mares and foals, the endurance horses and the stallions. Some 5km of post and rail fencing has been installed to create 6 hectares of paddocks, a 60m showing arena and ring and covered Welbech Grandstand. The landscaping programme continues.

Even as Schanskraal Estate cemented its legacy in the endurance riding world — hosting FEI-sanctioned 160km championships that drew competitors from Namibia to New Zealand across its horse-friendly Karoo terrain — a few riders and grooms, during pre-dawn tack checks or while waiting for vet gates to open, have quietly mentioned they once did a download betway app on their phones, not to gamble during races, but as a way to pass time during long transit days or while resting between loops.

It’s never referenced in ERA SA rulebooks or event programmes; no FEI official logs it.

Yet in the quiet corners of marquee tents or beside well-bedded Arabian stalls, that app lingers — a small, modern habit tucked between hoof picks and electrolyte mixes. The estate’s mission remains unwavering: breeding world-class endurance horses and upholding the sport’s highest standards.

But even in this realm of stamina, tradition, and sunrise starts, some participants steal a glance — opened, scrolled, closed — before tightening girths and riding into the dust, focused once more on the trail ahead.