Summer Classic jumps into action
Rain and more rain greeted competitors on the first day of action at the Summer Showjumping Classic at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre. It did not deter 200 combinations from starting in the opening event in the Olympic Arena, the 1.20m height class sponsored by River Ridge Equestrian Park.
The conditions in the main arena held up extremely well under the deluge, with international course designer Leopoldo Palacios designing a welcoming track for the first day of competition. The free flowing course allowed for riders to cover the ground quickly to make up time.
In section a, for horses under 40 points, Brock Harvey from Armidale and the stallion Thunder Down Under took out the top spot. Harvey made light work of the track completing his round in the time of 63.55 seconds from second placegetter the experienced Chris Chugg, from Glossodia, on the scopey stallion Cera Cassiago in a time of 65.69 seconds.
The open section was won by James Arkins of Mossvale and his New Zealand import Vigilante, in the blistering time of 61.75 seconds. Queenslander Billy Healey took out second with Windmill Park Cool As in a time of 64.11 seconds.
In arena two, the Oaks Medallion Young Horse classes showcased some of the best young horses in the country. This intuitive by the proactive team at Oaks Sport Horses fosters the development of young horses over flowing courses, today designed by Brad Longhurst, with horses being judged for their conformation, rideability and jumping potential. All of the horses were plaited up and turned out beautifully for this gala day despite of the conditions.
The classes were judged by internationally renowned course designer Leopoldo Palacios and experienced national and international representative Colleen Brook.
Palacios commented that “each year the standard of horses is getting better and better, and the breeding in Australia is improving” however we still need “more experienced riders to produce young horses, but this is a world-wide problem.”
Alice Cameron founder of Oaks Sport Horses was “delighted by the number of entries and the standard of horses this year, particularly in the 6 and 7 year old classes.”
The 4 year old class was won conclusively by Verdelho RJ3 (by Valhalla) under Sarah Crossen with a total of 137.5 points, from Diamond B Velveteen (Vivant x Conquistador) and Amanda Madigan with 134.5 . Rhys Stones with the beautifully presented Tulara Colmar (Colman x Quinar) finished in 3rd with 134 points.
The 5 year old winner was Yirrkala Ebony (Escudo x Hamlet) under experienced Bulgarian international rider Ruslan Petkov with a total of 168 points. Stephen Dingwall of Murrumbateman with his lovely Cavalier Du Rouet (Balou Du Rouet x El Bundy) finished in second with 166 points. Petkov rounded out the top 3 with Yirrkala Edward with 165 points.
26 combinations started in the 6 year old class which saw the imported mare Diamont bred by Jan Tops (Diamont De Semilly out of Fine Kiss) under the very promising young rider Savanna Hopkinson win on a score of 168 points. Classy, experienced jockey Amber Fuller jumped into second and third place with CP Aretino (CP Ulixes out of CP Argentina) and Valeska (Vivant) with scores of 167 and 166.5 respectively.
The 7 year old class was definitively won by the wonderful Cristalline (Cristallo x Caretino) under Gabby Kuna with a total of 171 points. There was an equality of points for second place between Roy Andrew Inglis on Licaviv (Vivant out of Licara R) and Milly Clarke with Rosthwaite Grumfus (Kempinsky) on 166 points.
RESULTS THURSDAY
River Ridge Equestrian Park 1.20m A2 for horses 40 points and under.
1. Thunder Down Under- Brock Harvey
2. Cera Cassiago - Chris Chugg
3. It'll Happen - David Cameron
4. Licaviv - Roy Andrew Inglis
5. Uklarinna - Brooke Campbell
6. Kelecyn Tori- Tom McDermott
7. Master Magpie- Billy Healey
8. Dusky Farm Cavalier- Stephen Dingwall
9. Puma Des Hayettes- Vicki Roycroft
10. Bellhaven Jazz- Vicki Roycroft
River Ridge Equestrian Park 1.20m Open Height Class
1. Vigilante - James Arkins
2. Windmill Park Cool As- Billy Healey
3. Aglonia - Andrew Inglis
4. Simplistic - Ron Easy
5. Yalambis Soltarella - Georgie Siciliano
6. RR Triple X – Bonnie Martin
7. CP Southern Cross- Harry Owens
OAKS MEDALLION YOUNG HORSE GALA DAY SPONSORED BY OAKS SPORT HORSES. All classes judged by Leopoldo Palacios and Colleen Brook.
Oaks Medallion 4 year old class
1. Verdelho RJ3- Sarah Crossen
2. Diamond B Velveteen - Amanda Madigan
3. Tulara Colmar- Rhys Stones
Oaks Medallion 5 year old class
1. Yirrkala Ebony- Rusian Petkov
2. Cavalier Du Rouet- Stephen Dingwall
3. Yirrkala Edward - Rusian Petkov
Oaks Medallion 6 year old class
1. Diamont - Savanna Hopkinson
2. CP Aretino - Amber Fuller
3. Valeska - Amber Fuller
Oaks Medallion 7 year old class
1. Cristalline - Gabby Kuna
=2. Licaviv – Roy Andrew Inglis
=2. Rothswaite Grumfus - Milly Clarke
Blockbuster World Cup Qualifier set for Sydney Summer Showjumping Classic
The stage is set for a thrilling World Cup Qualifying event at the Summer Showjumping Classic this weekend at The Sydney International Equestrian Centre. This Sunday, the biggest field of competitors the Summer Classic has seen in over 10 years will face what is traditionally one of the most difficult World Cup Qualifying events on the Australian Circuit. International Course Designer, Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela, will test the 29 entered combinations through his skilful course design in an exciting showdown of Australia’s top experienced and young up and coming stars.
Combinations from across Australia will be jumping to win in Sydney, from young riders stepping up in their first season of world cup level competition, to Australia’s most experienced competitors with years of national and international success. The class is anyone’s game, with each of the 10
World Cup Qualifying events this season being won by a different partnership. With so many combinations on fire, the crowd will be kept on the edge of their seats to see who will take out the Equestrian NSW Summer Classic World Cup Qualifier.
The current overall leader of the 2014 World Cup Season is Tim Clarke and his quick and careful mare Caltango. Clarke is making the journey to the Summer Classic from Victoria and has enjoyed a very consistent world cup season this year, with a win and several top 5 finishes. Clarke holds a 16 point lead at the top of the overall rankings.
The stylish Jess Brown of Kulnara will be looking to continue her enviable run of success after back to back wins at in the World Cup Qualifier at Equitana and the Grand Prix at Sale with her talented scopey grey Casco. Brown is the highest placed female in the overall rankings coming into this event in holding 5th position.
Seasoned international rider Alison Rowland is making the trip from Western Australia with Yalambi’s Carpino Z. This pair has just returned from competing extensively on the European Circuit, and has strong credentials to take out the title.
Other very competitive partnerships are current Australian Champion and Wodonga World Cup Winner David Cameron and RR Dyranta, last year’s winner Tom McDermott returning with SL Limerick and his new ride Air Time Z as well as the consistent Queensland combination of Billy Raymont and Stardom.
This year the Summer Classic is welcoming over 260 riders and 560 horses to SIEC from 6 states and territories. The action is over 4 days of competition from Thursday to Sunday, with classes ranging from the Oaks Medallion Young Horse Classes on Thursday to the World Cup Qualifier on Sunday. The Summer Classic hosts the prestigious Future Stars final on Saturday for Australia’s most promising young horses. In an exciting initiative, the major prize for the Australia wide fundraising raffle is a 2 year old purposed bred performance mare generously donated by River Ridge Equestrian. Tickets can be purchased up to mid day on Sunday and the winner will be drawn at the conclusion of the World Cup Qualifier.
Venue: Sydney International Equestrian Centre
Time & Date : 7.30am-5pm daily from 11/12/14- 14/12/14 World Cup from 2pm Sunday
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