Billy Raymont is hitting his straps at the perfect time

Billy Raymont and Stardom 

Winners of the 2013 Canterbury Show Jumping Championships 3* 
Photograph:www.anniestudhnolme.com

The 33-year-old is no stranger to New Zealand’s equestrian scene, and has an impressive record on both sides of the Tasman. 

Today, riding his lovely Stardom, he headed home five other combinations to take the honours. He was the only clear in the opening round, and despite his four faults in the second, came home in a slick 45.25 seconds over the Gary Sinclair (Wellington) designed course.

Behind him, Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) and the big dark bay Alaric II (owned by Gerrit and Jenny Beker) had four faults from the first round, but clear in the second, and stopped the clock at 46.87.

Her husband Simon and the perennial Swinger were in third place.

Claire Wilson also starred in the one star horse grand prix, where she and Alaric II out-performed 11 others to win the class. Just four went clear in the first round. Wilson was first out in the jump-off and blitzed it in 29.88 seconds.

The remaining three combinations all went clear, but couldn’t match her. Second-placed Lydia Quay and Kaipara Double Dee were the last to go and gave it a good crack, but came up just short in 32.96.

The young rider class also saw an exciting two-strong jump-off. Rosie Commons (Auckland) and Glenara Chandon were first out and left everything up in 35.34. Jake Lambert (Cambridge) and Quality NZPH gave it a good nudge, stopping the clock at 32.39 but paid for their speed with a rail.

The final classes brought the curtain down on two excellent days of jumping which saw around 300 combinations competing in four rings.

Many combinations now turn their focus to the Horse of the Year Show in Hastings from March 12-17.

Results-

Bayer Super League Horse Grand Prix: Billy Raymont (Aus) Stardom 1, Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) Alaric II (owned by Gerrit and Jenny Beker) 2, Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) Swinger 3, Rory Hovell (Aus) Yalambi’s Val D’Isere 4, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Quality NZPH 5, Sarah Isbister (Aus) Little Britton 6.

Horse grand prix (1*): Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) Alaric II (Gerrit and Jenny Beker) 1, Lydia Quay (New Plymouth) Kaipara Double Dee 2, Rory Hovell (Aus) Yalambi’s Val D’Isere 3, Karen Niederer (Taupo) Cape Palliser 4, Mathew Dickey (Taranaki) Kiwi Guard 5, Claire Wilson (Waipukurau) Tipsey 6.

KiwiSpan Junior Rider: Robert Wellwood (Hastings) Insightful 1, Tamara Silcock (Nelson) Brea AF 2, Lucy Allen (Morrinsville) Witheze 3, Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) Appleton 4, Elle Phillips (Hamilton) El Billionaire 5, Will Moffett (Hastings) Dark Vader 6.

Pony Grand Prix (3*): Jessie Goggin (Wellington) Te Mata Miss 1, Will Moffett (Hastings) Tane Mahuta 2, Jay Phillips (Hamilton) Guess Once More 3, Megan O’Grady (Tauranga) The Dreamer 4, Shanae McKay (Levin) Kabo So Far 5, Melanie Weal (Te Awamutu) Hopeful Illusion 6.

STH Pro Amateur Rider: Emily Hovell (Australia) Yalambi’s Andante 1, Brooke Zander (Waipukarau) Double J Rumours 2, Bryce Newman (Bulls) Bates Trademark 3, Donna Franchesci (Australia) Diamond B Cananova 4, Pearl Delaney-Girdleston (Wellington) Windale Gracious 5.

Fernhill Stud Five Year Old: Mathew Dickey (Taranaki) Quango and Stephen Nickalls (Waverley) Weiti Dinki =1.

Mitavite Six Year Old: Heelan Tompkins (Taranaki) Cortaflex Watkins 1.

Seven Year Old: Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) Midway Smooth Dude (owned by Greg Gloyn) 1, Mathew Dickey (Taranaki) Kiwi Rock 2, Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) Clearmont NZPH 3, Kirk Myers (Hawera) Sportsman II 4, Brooke Zander (Waipukurau) Double J Rumours 5, Nicki Booth (Wairarapa) Ngahiwi Emilionaire 6.

Caledonian Amateur Rider: Andrea Sayers (New Plymouth) Marokopa Blaze 1, Kelly Smith (Foxton) Summer Solei 2, Merran Hain (Gisborne) Untouchable 3, Sophie Anderson (Oakura) Clifton Polarize 4, Pearl Delaney-Girdlestone (Wellington) Styletto 44 5, Tinesha Carey (Havelock North) Bellando 6.

Young Rider: Rosie Commons (Auckland) Glenara Chandon 1, Jake Lambert (Cambridge) Quality NZPH 2, Timothy Myers (Hawera) Pick Me NZPH 3, Kirstie Ansell (Aus) Balou 4, Jesse Linton (Hastings) Bessette 5, Melody Matheson (Hawke’s Bay) Cheltenham 6.