The 2024 Australian Jumping Championships (AJC) kicked off today at the beautiful Willinga Park on the NSW south coast, with the Young Rider, Senior and Junior Championships opening with the Speed Classes (Article 239) on the main arena.
Tom McDermott and Cooley Gangster lead the Senior Championship
In the Australian Senior Championship, it was none other than Tom McDermott and 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse Cooley Gangster (by Sligo Candy Boy, out of Kilminchy Chance) who claimed the win by jumping clear in 79.97 seconds. The pair now lead the championship heading into day two on Thursday.
Tom has won the Australian Senior Championship three times – first in 2012 with Romantic Dream (the same year he also won the Young Rider Championship on Statford Delight), again in 2019 on Elegance de la Charmille, and most recently in 2022 with Cachassini. Could 2024 result in a fourth victory for Tom? He’s certainly off to the right start.
Victorians Phillip Lever and Billionaire NZPH were second on Wednesday in a time of 82.84 seconds, while in third place was Jamie Winning-Kermond with Tulara WAT Colblensky in 84.60 seconds.
Charlie Magnier claims round one of the Young Rider Championship
Charlie Magnier and Quinn Z are leading the way in the Redleaf Lodge Australian Young Rider Championship, jumping clear in a time of 70.42 seconds on Wednsday. Charlie also claimed second place with the imported Notre Dame De Bourguignon in 73.59 seconds.
Jack Barker took third and fourth with Aussie-bred horses Tulara On Trend (73.97 seconds) and Tulara Colchic (76.00 seconds) respectively.
The second round of the Young Rider Championship is due to take place on Thursday.
Imogen Lindh tops day one of the Junior Championship
Imogen Lindh claimed the first class of the Minks Estate Australian Junior Championship Wednesday, jumping clear in a time of 66.30 seconds with Licaviv.
Second place went to Tanner Robinson and Casiana – just a fraction behind the winner in 66.44 seconds – while Sienna Holdworth-Rose was third riding Coolart Farm Short Torque in a time of 67.32. The action continues for the Juniors on Friday.
Clem Smith claims The Riders’ Cup
The Riders’ Cup 1.40m (Art 274.2) took place Wednesday evening, with Clem Smith and Quantico 12 clear in the two-phase competition and posting the quickest time to finish ahead of Melissa Blair and Selena C, with Frida Lindgren third aboard her recent Boneo Cup winner Mabobri de Mabrino.
Full results from Thursday at the ASJ can be found here.
ClipMyHorse.TV and Equestrian Life are streaming from Friday to Sunday at the ASJ. Tune in to watch the action live here.
