A stable influence

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Connie Stark and Craig Wiehahn first met at the Alzu Waltmeyer stables on the Meyerfarm in 2006, when Connie was starting her career as riding school manager and Craig stabled his horses on the farm. They first connected as friends and bonded over a shared passion for horses.

Connie is the daughter of South African dressage champion Peter Stark and has been a lifelong horse lover. Her father, called the white bushman, had a long history with horses that influenced her growing up. Craig was struck with a love for horses from age five and recalls that the only expense he had was from riding.

Connie served as a captain in the mounted unit of the South African Defence Force, working on the borders. She moved from the military to the private sector before she fell pregnant with her son, Xavier. Connie says that she used to commute past the Meyer farm and wished that she could work there.

A wish granted:

Her wish was granted during a very difficult time. Xavier had been born with craniostenosis, a congenital disorder that needed surgery to be fixed. She had also been retrenched and was living alone with her domestic worker who had recently given birth. She felt desperate as she had three dependents and five horses that needed care.

Connie was asked to come for an interview at the Meyer’s farm a month before her son’s operation. She tentatively took the job on a month-by-month basis. After three months of living with two small children and her domestic worker in one room, Hans Meyer asked if she was prepared to stay. She accepted and he built a small home for her and her family on the farm.

She will never forget what the Meyers meant to her and tells of her gratitude to the Meyer family, particularly Hans and Leola, who opened their doors to her in her time of need.

Connie worked at the stables for two years, before beginning a romantic relationship with Craig. It was after a crippling accident that their connection deepened significantly. Connie was kicked by a horse, which broke her back. She was hospitalised, leaving four-year-old Xavier with no one to look after him. Craig stepped in to care for Xavier, and when Connie was released from the High Care unit; he took care of her.

Connie was discharged on the condition that someone would help her at home as she would be confined to her bed for months. During Connie’s bed rest, she needed constant assistance to prevent additional medical complications. Craig supported her and Xavier through her recovery. It was during this time that she realised that Craig was the only one for her.

The big question:

It took a long time for Connie to come around to the idea of getting married. She saw that Craig was thinking of asking her to tie the knot, and discouraged him before he could ask. He waited another year to ask her, after she told her sister that she was ready to be married.

Overflowing with ideas for the perfect way to propose, Craig decided to ask her at their home, on Christmas day. He says that in the end he wanted something intimate that could be kept inside their family.

When Connie found the ring that had been hidden in an outdoor travel mug; she was not sure that it was an engagement ring. When Craig confirmed that it was; she burst into tears.

The couple married at Meyer’s Farm on Saturday, April 18.