An animal fanatic and a nature lover, the Koster born Ina-Marie Burger has enjoyed her first career break and recently joined the successful Summerveld yard of 2020 Gold Cup -winning trainer Gareth van Zyl.
Ina, who matriculated at Hoerskool Koster in 2015, has completed her Assistant Trainers licence and is excited about her future in the sport.
For those unfamiliar with Koster, it is a small farming town situated on the watershed between the Orange and Limpopo Rivers in the North West Province
Ina is happiest around horses.
‘”Horses have always been my passion, since daydreaming about them as a little girl going with my Dad to the track watching his horses run,” she told the Sporting Post.
The 23 year old has developed a solid foundation in her four years after leaving school and says she learnt plenty working at La Berg Stud with Hanno Joubert.
“I learnt so much there and built up my knowledge on breeding.”
She also worked at Riethuiskraal Stud and says that Stud Manager Kassie Robbertze was a font of technical advice and guidance.
Following that she spent two years with the Bill Human Racing Stable, before making the move to Durban to join Gareth’s team.
She also enjoys breeding with a few mares of her own and is excited about learning the ropes from a leading SA racing family.
