Aquis Champions Tour: Week One Wrap Up

The stunning Elysian Fields venue.

© Suzannah Willis

By Suzannah Willis

After all of the hype, the Aquis Champions Tour has finally begun and is quickly proving to be the premier show of the year. The show is devised and run by power couple Michelle Lang-Mcmahon and Peter Mcmahon in conjunction with the team at Elysian Fields. The polo fields have been prepared to fit a whopping five rings and classes have not disappointed riders or spectators. The first three days of competition have included warm up classes before the major tours begin next week. The overall prize pool offers over $300,000 however, majority of that is only available in the tour finals held over next Saturday and Sunday. The show has boasted nothing but sunshine so far and has attracted riders from every state in Australia as well as a handful of New Zealand riders. The show also caters for every rider from 80cm all the way to Grand Prix and has already bought mass numbers of spectators through to the gates.

On Saturday, the day started with the Future Starts (1.30m) class, which proved to be possibly the hardest to win. With over 100 starters, it was always going to be a tough track and quick jump off, and course-builder Gavin Chester delivered just that. With 34 through to the jump off, every rider had to try something new to beat the leader. In the end, Maddison Stephen and Yalambi’s Grazi were victorious ahead of the on-form Paul Brent and Fountaine Blue VDL and then young rider Jamie Priestly and Courage.

Maddison Stephen and Yalambi’s Grazi won the Future Starts (1.30m) class.

© Suzannah Willis

Sunday’s program was packed full of major classes in four rings, and every track was tough. On Sunday morning, the Mini Prix had almost 100 starters which was narrowed down to 20 for the second round. Gavin had included many questions for the horses and riders in order to prepare them for difficulty of next week. The ever-competitive Tom McDermott took out the class on the Langbecker’s owned, Alpha Activity. Followed by David Cameron and RR Dyranta who are on their come-back trail, and then Rhys Stones on Tulara Colmar in third.

The Aquis 1.50m Grand Prix, boasted almost $5,000 in prize money and had 40 starters. The track was technical and tall, which saw only four clear rounds under time, there was additional three who completed the track clear but over time, meaning they each carried one time penalty through the second round. In the end, 10 went back which saw many rails coming to the ground. Victorian Russell Johnstone won the class by posting the only double clear on Daprice. Whilst, Tom McDermott Elegance de la Charmille was second and young rider Kate Hinschen and Finch Farm Cadel were third.

Victorian Russell Johnstone won the Grand Prix by posting the only double clear on Daprice.

© Suzannah Willis

The final class on Sunday in the main ring was the Sanna Equestrian Young Rider Championships. The young riders were asked to bring their A-game as they jumped the same track as the Grand-Prix but at a reduced height of 1.30m. There were 11 through to the second round however, Jessie O’Connell took out the class, which backed up her win from the young rider class the day before. In second was, Brooke Langbecker and third was Jamie Priestly.

During the weekend, there were a huge number of horses and riders going through the other rings and included Junior, Amateur, Progressive Rider and height classes. Hopefully the sunshine will continue for the next week so the fantastic jumping may continue. The young horse classes start up again on Tuesday before the first of the Tour classes begin on Wednesday.

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