By media release

 

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 place-getter, 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, 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. 

 

Twenty six 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. 

 

 

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

 

(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 

 

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

3. Rothswaite Grumfus - Milly Clarke 

 

 

Source: Equestrian Sports Promotions