The Equestrian academy, a division of the prestigious International Hotel School is situated on the Fijnbosch Stud which is owned by Mr. Russell Stevens and run by Managing Principal, Chantelle McCabe. This picturesque horse stud is situated in the Harkerville forest belt between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna. Students are fully accommodated on the farm and, as well as studying for their SANEF exams, they take part in all the farm activities.

Chantelle matriculated at St. Mary's Diocesan School for Girls in Pretoria. She completed her Equine Science Diploma at Technikon Pretoria, after which she spent her practical year in Ireland, staying on for a second year as farm manager. Chantelle completed her international qualification on riding instruction in Switzerland in 2003, and returned to South Africa in 2004, where she started teaching and running a stud farm in Kyalami. She is aiming towards finishing her SANEF Level 2 later in 2010.

There is a real need for qualified horse people in South Africa at the moment, especially in the tourism industry with “berg rides” and “horse safaris” becoming more and more popular. The Plettenberg Equestrian Academy aims to produce students who will have the knowledge, confidence and practical experience to be able to work successfully in any sphere of the horse industry.

The Fijnbosch Nooitgedacht Stud
The Fijnbosch Nooitgedacht Stud is owned by Mr. Russell Stevens and managed by Chantelle McCabe (SANEF Level 1 and International Centered Riding Level 1). It is located in the picturesque Harkerville forest belt between Knysna and Plettenberg bay. The stud has approx 80 Nooitgedacht horses of all ages and two Nooitgedacht stallions standing at stud. The Nooitgedacht breed is one of the oldest and most beautiful breeds in South Africa and is noted for its good looks and wonderful temperament. Fijnbosch Stud is very proud to be and active member of the Nooitgedacht Horse Breeders Society of South Africa. Fijnbosch prides itself on breeding and producing top class, well grown out Nooitgedacht horses which are always placed in the top standings at shows.

In 2005 at the Pretoria International Show in the Nooitgedacht classes, Fijnbosch Stud horses won the senior, junior and grand champion pure bred mare classes. One of the Fijnbosch stallions, Sapata Charlie, was Grand Champion part-bred stallion at the same show, as well as winning almost all his dressage classes throughout 2005.  We sadly had to say goodbye to Charlie earlier this year due to old age. The other stallion standing at stud at Fijnbosch, Daydream Fabius, is also a past winner at the Pretoria International Show and has one of the oldest Nooitgedacht breeding lines in his pedigree. The new addition to the Fijnbosch family of the stallions at stud, is Calabash Pita, he is a tall horse with alot of substance and who has been a past winner at the Pretoria International Show and numerous other shows. His first crop has arrived and we are very pleased with them.  We are currently leasing a stallion from Rustenburg, Merrythought Tenor.  He is the son of the legendary Pretman Tornado.  We are looking forward to his first crop end of 2010. 

All young stock at Fijnbosch Stud are bred, backed and produced on the stud by the dedicated team of staff working there. Fijnbosch Nooitgedacht Stud prides itself on producing top class, beautifully schooled horses which are easy on the eye and a pleasure to deal with.

The Fijnbosch young horses are currently doing exceptionally well in the competitive arena (see 'Shows and Outings'). They have excelled in all the disciplines, especially eventing.