Clay Simmonds and Oaks Castanza
© OneEyedFrog Photography
Nineteen year old Clay Simmonds from Bourke NSW posted a double clear to win Saturday night’s FEI World Cup Qualifier at Caboolture in fine style with Oaks Castanza. Competition was fierce, with 28 combinations starting in the first of the 2019/2020 season Australian World Cup Qualifiers, of which fifteen jumped clear in the first round. In round two, four combinations jumped clear, with Clay and Oaks Castanza posting a time of 44.14, more than 2 seconds faster than second placed Chris Chugg and PSS Levilensky.
This is Clay Simmonds’ second season competing at World Cup level. At the end of the 2019/2019 Australian FEI World Cup Jumping season, Clay Simmonds was announced Australian “Rookie of the Year”, having finished the season ranked an impressive 9th from over 50 riders. Incredibly, this young rider has only been competing in the sport of showjumping for 6 years, having raced motorbikes until the age of 13. With the support of his family, Oaks Sport Horses, and his coach Gavin Chester, Clay Simmonds is now a force to be reckoned with in the sport.
James Arkins and Eurostar 1 were the winners of the Peachester Lodge Mini Prix, Morgan Daniel won the HH Equestrian Amateur Championship. Courtney Tincknell and Screwdriver finished on top in the Caboolture Sports Club Young Rider Championship, and Chelsea Jefferies took out the Mitavite Hygain Junior Championship with All Bling.
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