Clarke Claims Canberra Centenary Cup

Milly Clarke on Diamond B Jimmy Choo with ActewAGL representative Gina Ford 
Photograph:Equiscape Photography

Clarke was the only rider to complete the two rounds of competition without jumping faults, incurring just one time penalty in the second round. Brad Longhurst designed a technical but fair track with the majority of fences at set at 1.40m in height.

Clarke was ecstatic about her win in Canberra, having no expectations of a win before the class “I wasn’t sure about starting today; we haven’t started in a Grand Prix class since the beginning of the year. I was definitely not expecting to win” Ms Clarke said after her round. She was full of praise for her wonderful thoroughbred horse Diamond B Jimmy Choo “he’s the best”.

The first round saw just two clears, from Clarke and Jennifer Wood of Cudal and her lovely mare Sweetshot. Five riders produced four fault rounds with the open water marring the otherwise faultless rounds from Canberra local Clint Beresford and Emmaville Jittabug, Emma Smith of Oakville with Ego Casablanca and Jess Stalling of the Oaks with Diamond B Vermont. Lane Clarke of Bega, who is just 14 years old, rode a near perfect round just dropping the final fence on GH Tiger Lilly. Canberra junior Izabella Stone was unlucky to draw a rail in the middle of the course with her mare Cosmorex Coffee Latte.

The second round bought back 12 starters in reverse order with Beresford producing a fast, classy clear to put pressure on the final two riders. Clarke took a conservative track to ensure a clear with a single time fault. The gate was open for the final competitor Wood to steal the title, however a rail at the second fence secured Clarke the win, and Wood could not match the blistering time set down by Beresford. The ActewAGL Centenary Cup was a battle of the rising stars with half of the starters under the age of 24. The average age of the top 5 placegetters was 19 years. Some extremely stylish riding was on display, demonstrating the current depth of talent rising through the Australian showjumping ranks.

The final results of the class were:

1. Milly Clarke- Diamond B Jimmy Choo (0/1)
2. Clint Beresford -Emmaville Jittabug (4/0)
3. Jen Wood – Sweetshot (0/4)
4. Lane Clarke – GH Tiger Lilly (4/4)
5. Izabella Stone- Cosmorex Coffee Latte (4/4)

The ACT Centennial Showjumping Cup ran from the 11^th -13^th October across 3 rings, with 200 riders and almost 400 horses. For full results across all rings please visit http://jumpingnsw.equestrian.org.au/

8 October 2013

Riders Jumping into Canberra for Centennial ShowJumping Cup

200 riders and 400 horses are set to leap into action for the Centennial Showjumping Cup at Equestrian Park from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 of October.

The Centennial Showjumping Cup celebrates Canberra’s rich equestrian history and will see some of Australia’s most talented riders and equine athletes from across NSW and as far away as Western Australia competing.

The event is the biggest showjumping competition in the ACT region, catering from the smallest heights through to the showcase event, the Canberra Centenary Cup, where athletes will fly over fences 1.4 metres high and two metres wide.

The hot favourite to take out the Centenary Cup is Canberra local Clint Beresford.   He recently returned from a successful tour in Victoria where he was part of the winning Australian Young Rider team in the Oceanic Championships, competing against the Kiwis.

“It’s great to have this level of competition here in Canberra,” Mr Beresford said.   “It should be a very competitive class with top quality jumping.”

Beresford will face tough competition from experienced former NSW state champion Brett Clarke, of Bega, and riders from Sydney looking to steal the locals shot at the title.

Alongside the elite competitors, three rings of competition will accommodate riders aged from seven to 70, with events for juniors, young riders, amateurs and seniors.

The Centennial Showjumping Cup is one of 51 community-based projects funded through the Community Centenary Initiatives Fund. The fund has allocated more than $1m to community projects after receiving a wide range of ideas that were assessed by an independent panel.

“Sport and recreation are second nature to many Canberrans. In fact, Canberra has the highest participation rate in sport in Australia, so it’s no surprise that in 2013 the sporting calendar has been jam-packed with significant local, national and international events,” Mr Stankevicius said.

“Canberra has warmly welcomed thousands of sporting participants to Canberra already for the Centenary year, for national competitions in masters rowing, athletics and golf, Little Athletics, Judo and the Special Olympics, and we welcome national squash community to Canberra in our Centenary year.”

The Centennial Showjumping Cup runs from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 October at Equestrian Park, Yarralumla. The public is welcome visit Equestrian Park to watch the events. For more information visit http://actsjc.snappages.com