The 2013 Equestrian Victoria Australian Showjumping Championships has finished in spectacular fashion as New South Welshman, Jamie Kermond and his mount Caracas cinched the Australian Senior Showjumping Champion title from Clem Smith of Queensland riding Guru in a nail biting final at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre.

Kermond, 28, who resides at Yandoo Park equestrian complex in Ebenezer, rode the 8-year old grey Warmblood stallion in a three round jumping final, edging out Smith and Guru by one rail (four points). Both Kermond and Smith finished the second round on equal penalties, forcing a third round decider for the title.

Earlier in the day, fellow New South Wales resident Tom McDermott, 20, of Mulgoa, rode Cumo Z to back to back national Young Rider (16 to 21 years) Championships, having won the prestigious title in 2012. Bridget (Birdie) Hansen, of Hawkes Bay, New Zealand and her Shakespear NZPH were Runner Up Young Rider Champion while McDermott and his additional competition horse, CP Rolex, placed third.

The Australian Junior (18 years and under) Showjumping Champion and Runner Up titles were quinella’d by sister duo, Jessica and Samantha Tripp of Fernhill Equestrian in Mulgoa, NSW. Jessica was Champion aboard her Lovegrove whilst sister Samantha was Runner Up Junior Showjumping Champion on Flowerdale Diamond.

Equestrian Victoria CEO, Greg Pratt recognised the outstanding level of competition across the four day program and welcomed the inclusion of the Oceania Championships challenge between Australia and New Zealand Junior and Senior teams to this year’s event.

“We congratulate Jamie, Tom and Jessica on their respective Championship titles and look forward to watching the undoubted future success of these talented riders.

“Equestrian Victoria thanks event officials, volunteers, the Victorian State Government and Equestrian Australia as well as all riders, horse owners and sponsors in continually raising the bar of the sport of showjumping in Australia,” Mr Pratt said.

Alongside the crowning of the Australian Senior, Young Rider and Junior Champion titles, the ASJC was a selection qualifier opportunity for the Australian Team to compete at the 2014 World Equestrian Games (WEG). Celebrated Course Designer and French national, Frederic Cottier, was the event’s course builder and appointed course designer at the 2014 WEG, to be held in Normandy in France.

This year’s event attracted record entries of more than 650 horses and 400 riders from across Australia. The first round of the Oceania Championships, which saw four-member Junior and Senior teams from Australia and New Zealand compete against each other was won by Australia, with the second round to be decided at the Royal Melbourne Show, this week.

Full results and further competition information can be viewed at http://www.asjc.equestrian.org.au and on Facebook, become a friend of ‘Australian Showjumping Championships.’ 

Click here to view the photos from the day.