Steven Hill and Yalambi’s Bellini Star, winners of the World Cup Qualifier.

Words by Stephen Lamb / Photos by Roger Fitzhardinge

In a week when the showjumping world mourned the passing of the mighty Clinton, it seems only fitting that three of the top four placings of the Showcase of Showjumping CSI-W were filled by horses sired by his son, Conquistador. In fact, the results were a true celebration of Australian breeding programs, with Diamond B, Oaks Sporthorses and Yalambi Farm — three of the really big hitters on the scene — having a hand in these horses.

To the class itself, and course designer John Vallance set a testing course on the grass hacking arena at the northern-most point of the SIEC complex. In particular, the line from the oxer at fence 8, five strides to a treble combination at 9, a Liverpool vertical going in, two strides to another vertical at 9b and then one stride to a square oxer coming out an 9c proved very difficult to jump.

In fact, it wasn’t until number 11 in the draw of 17, Stevie Hill and Yalambi’s Bellini Star, that we saw our first clear round; the scopey mare jumping a seemingly effortless round. The only other combination able to replicate this form was the current Australian Champions, Jamie Kermond and Yandoo Oaks Constellation, who again cruised around with relative ease.

Young rider Kate Hinschen on Chironic Dominant Visage continued their awesome form, backing up from running second to Billy Raymont (on Anton) at last weekend’s indoor World Cup Qualifier at Tamworth to jump a superb round. They were clear through the difficult treble combination, but a rail at the penultimate fence, a double combination at 12 with a triple bar going in and a vertical out, saw Kate blot her copybook on what was otherwise a picture-perfect round. Having competed in her first ever World Cup event just 12 months ago at Tamworth, Kate, under the tutelage of George Sanna has blossomed into a stylish, consistent performer.

Kate Hinschen and Chironic Dominant Visage.

Billy was riding Oaks Redwood this weekend (previously ridden by Steph Tucker) and he too finished the first round on just four faults. Another standout performer in round one was Bridget Hansen on Toulon NZPH, who, despite racking up 12 faults, was actually the first combination to clear the treble at fence 9 without penalty. They were looking good for a clear round until Toulon appeared to reach for the back rail on the triple bar at 12a and brought it down and then refused at 12b. However, once the broken pole was replaced at 12a, Birdy re-presented and showing great composure was able to renegotiate 12a and b and then the big oxer at 13 without incurring further jumping faults.

Billy Raymont and Oaks Redwood.

John Vallance managed the difficult task of presenting a second-round course that rewarded those who had jumped well in the first round, but still proved to be testing.

“It must count, or what’s the point in having it,” said John, referring to the difficulty of round 2.

And count it did. Despite their 4-fault rounds in the first, both Billy and Kate had a rail down in the second, to leave them on 8 faults, but slower than Kiwi interloper Katie Laurie (now based at Armidale NSW) who was first out in round 1 and had 8 faults, but then was clear and fast enough in the second to finish in third place overall. There is no doubt that in the few short months Katie has been here her extreme competitiveness has added another level to the domestic circuit as she constantly features in the prizes.

Bridget Hansen and Toulon NZPH.

When Jamie Kermond entered the arena, he knew he had an 8-fault buffer from those who had gone before him, but he also had Stevie Hill waiting on zero. By his own admission afterwards, Kermo’s decision to approach the triple bar at fence 1 off the right rein cost him a rail later in the course.

“I lost it at the first fence really, I came around the corner and didn’t have the distance I wanted and I kicked him quite hard, and then I just lost him – lost a little bit of rideability and paid the price at fence 4.”

Despite setting quite a quick time, the door was left wide open for Stevie and Yalambi’s Bellini Star - a clear round was all he required to secure the win, and that’s exactly what he did. Other than a bit of a wild distance to a tall vertical at the third last, the Victorian combination jumped a fantastic round to deservedly take the win.

“It wasn’t the one I wanted,” explained Stevie, referring to the long spot at the vertical. “Yeah it was a bit far away, but she looked after me, she’s a good girl.”

As mentioned at the beginning, the final placings were dominated by Conquistador offspring, with Yalambi’s Bellini Star (1st place), Yandoo Oaks Constellation (2nd place) and Oaks Redwood (4th place) – Katie Laurie spoiled the possibility of a Conquistador trifecta, taking 3rd place with her Indoctro gelding Springfield.

Katie, Stevie and Jamie.

While this Showcase didn’t come with all the razzle dazzle the events have become famous for, it still had the Winning family stamp all over it. With the impending Polo World Championships at Richmond ruling out their usual venue, the Showcase crew teamed up with George Sanna and Amber Fuller’s Riders Series show to conduct the World Cup Qualifier. Kerrie Winning went with a “Pop-Up Picnic” theme, with attendees able to order a gourmet picnic lunch online to enjoy as they sat on the bank, or at one of the red gingham tablecloth-covered tables in the marquees provided. The Winnings were also able to provide cameras, a drone and the technical people to livestream the event – the equipment usually used to broadcast the 18ft skiff racing on Sydney Harbour.

Most importantly, the event was able to “showcase” the results of some very dedicated breeders who have been toiling away for many years, and whose hard work is really starting to reap benefits for Australian showjumping.

FULL RESULTS

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