With an action-packed schedule across two arenas culminating in the Champion of Champions Young Jumping Horse crowning and FEI CSI1*-W City of Wyndham World Cup on Saturday, each arena offers an exciting spectating opportunity.
As Australia’s premier young jumping horse event, today’s first round qualifiers offered a glimpse of the young talent currently on Australian shores. This year, the star power extends beyond the competition arena to the young horse jumping panel of Vicki Roycroft (AUS), Jeff McVean (AUS) and international guest judge Jake Lambert (NZL).
Vicki Roycroft is a triple Olympian, representing Australia at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games in Eventing and the 1988 Seoul and 1996 Atlanta Games in Jumping. In addition, Vicki has represented Australia at three World Championships and is one of the only females in the world to have competed in two equestrian disciplines at the Olympic Games.
Jeff McVean is an Australian Olympian who has represented Australia at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Jeff has competed in over 30 Nations Cups and major European events, and is widely regarded as one of the legends of equestrian sport. He has been closely involved in Nations Cups teams, and high performance development of riders across Australia and New Zealand.
Jeff and Vicki are joined by guest international judge Jake Lambert. Jake first represented New Zealand at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympic Games where he was part of the silver medal team. Since then, Jake has enjoyed success at Grand Prix and World Cup level and is highly regarded for his ability to produce young horses through to the elite levels of competition.
Four-Year-Old Jumping Horse Round One goes to Elvorado Ter Putte Z
Competition commenced in the young horse arena with the Four-Year-Old Jumping Horse Round One offering the judges a first taste of the competition to come.
The trip down from New South Wales was certainly worth it for Jennifer Wood and her nomination of Elvorado Ter Putte Z. Bred by Ter Putte in Belgium, Elvorado Ter Putte Z is sired by Eldorado out of Lady-A Ter Putte with a dam sire Diamont de Semilly. The impressive gelding finished on a score of 84.53, recording an 8.5 for technique, 8.5 for scope and an 8.5 for scope.
Second place went to Alex Rooney’s nomination of Chrismont with a score of 76.73. Bred and produced by Alex, the eye-catching grey gelding is by ASB Caracas out of Hylton Park Calypso with a dam sire of Latermiss. Third place went to Mt Robinsons Qasting and Victorian Young Rider Tanner Robinson with a score of 76.4. Bred by Tanner’s mother Airlie Robinson, Mt Robinsons Qasting is by Casting out of Mt Robinsons Qitana Z, who Airlie campaigned to Grand Prix level.
European breeding proves influential in Five-Year-Old Jumping Horse Round One
In the Five-Year-Old Jumping Horse Round One, European breeding proved influential with the top three placegetters all European imports.
Frida Lindgren’s nomination of Dancing Star De Rock 1 Z impressed the judges to claim the class with a score of 87.17, achieving an 8.5 for technique, 9.3 for scope and 9.0 for ride. Owned in partnership between Lever Equestrian and Georgia Solomon, the impressive chestnut stallion was bred by Paul Lavers and Hugette Exelmans in the Netherlands. Sired by Dieu Merci Van T&L,, who goes back to Toulon, Heartbreaker and Corrado I, Dancing Star De Rock 1 Z carries some of Europe’s most influential sires in his pedigree. Out of Dancing Magrit De Rock 1 Z, his dam’s side is equally impressive with a damsire of Dominator 2000 Z.
Second place went to fellow Lever Equestrian rider Phillip Lever and City Limits 111. Owned by Georgia Solomon, City Limits 111 was bred by Stud 111 in Belgium. The striking grey gelding, sired by Cherkasy Z out of Dream 111 Z and with a damsire of Der Senaat 111, finished on a score of 80.4. Third place went to Dourkhan’s Dream exhibited by Josh Collins on behalf of owner Shimona Fraid with a score of 80.14. Bred by Bloem Jurjan and Kolner Maria, Dourkhan’s Dream is sired by Dourkhan Hero Z and out of the Indoctro-sired mare J-Chiwa R.
Homegrown talent in the Six-Year-Old Jumping Horse Round One
In the Six-Year-Old Jumping Horse Round One, Stuart Brennan’s nomination of RBH Carnac impressed the judges to take out the class with a score of 85.63. Recording an 8.5 for technique, 9.0 for scope and 8.5, judge Vicki Roycroft shared with Stuart and the crowd, “We like this one, that was a very good round. He shows a lot of scope and wants to be careful; he has a great technique.”
Bred and owned by Russell and Bernie Hearn at RBH Park, RBH Carnac is by Charlemagne Ego Z. Campaigned here in Australia to World Cup and Grand Prix level by Finch Farm, Charlemagne Ego Z is sired by Calvaro Z, who carries the highly influential Caletto I and Capitol bloodlines. RBH Carnac is out of RBH Paris with a dam sire of Perigeux.
Second place went to Glenara Baccarat and Anneliese Wansey with a score of 81.0. Bred by Melissa Froesch at Glenara Park Stud and owned by King Ranch Equestrian, Glenara Baccarat is by Casall out of the Conquistador-sired mare KG Cinderella. International guest judge Jake Lambert praised Glenara Baccarat saying, “I see a lot of her father in her. The jump is very balanced and will continue to improve as she goes through the sport. She is in a very good place.”
Third place went to Vischacco Louis and Megan Joyce with a score of 78.97. Ridden by Megan on behalf of owners and breeders Chris and Kate Wallis, Vischacco Louis is sired by Chatender out of Copabella Visage sired mare La Nina Saphira.
Western Australians impress in Seven-Year-Old Jumping Horse Round One
The long trip across the Nullarbor was certainly worth it for Western Australia’s Allira Bond who took out the Seven-Year-Old Jumping Horse Round One aboard Yalambi’s Ohranj. Allira and Yalambi’s Ohranj recorded a score of 82.95 with an 8.0 for technique, 9.5 for scope and 9.0 for ride. Judge Jeff McVean commented, “That was a very, very nice round. He jumped very nicely and you gave him a great ride. He did everything you asked him to do, very impressive.”
Bred by Yalambi Stud Farm and owned by Skye Bond, Yalambi’s Ohranj is by Yalambi’s Confidant out of the Colman-sired mare Yalambi’s Harlequin, who jumped to 1.60m level with Hilary Scott.
Second place went to Victorian young rider Joel Lamb’s nomination of No Mercy with a score of 81.63. Owned by Andrew and Ally Lamb, No Mercy was bred in the Netherlands by Nijhof and is sired by Echo van’t Spieveld. The KWPN bay mare is out of Cuidam’s Olga M, who is sired by Quidam De Revel.
Third place went to another European import in Jennifer Wood’s nomination of Si Van Heiste with a score of 80.37. Owned by Nathan Wood, Si Van Heiste was bred in Belgium by Stal Van Heiste and Patrick Gillis. The impressive grey mare is sired by Cabrio VD Heffinck out of Eaud Van Heiste. Eaud Van Heiste has a damsire of Orlando.
If today’s competition is anything to go off, it can be said with certainty that there is no shortage of horse power and talent amongst the Australian jumping community. With close scores across all age groups, recording a strong score tomorrow will be imperative for those looking to finish on top coming into Saturday’s final.
Arena two casts spotlight on current stars
In the open arena, competition commenced with the open 110cm. Victorian Russell Johnstone claimed the class aboard Tulara Cascinne (0/63.40) ahead of Queensland visitor Clem Smith and Wheres Cameron (0/63.49). Third place went to Russell Johnstone again, this time aboard Yalambi’s Neptune (0/64.39).
It was certainly a good day in the office for Johnstone who continued his winning form in the Open 120cm with CF Chantonnay (0/59.48) in first, followed by his second nomination of Cantara in second (0/60.08). Hugh Buchanan claimed third aboard Waitangi Neon (0/60.17).
Hugh Buchanan claimed the Open 130cm with his nomination of Its Silkbridge (0-0/39.94) nudging Russell Johnstone and CF Chantonnay to second place (0-0/40.29). Paul Brent rounded out the top three with Chacco Star JSE (0-0/43.22).
In the Open 140cm, the World Cup combination of Gemma Creighton and Dada Des Brimbelles Ztook the win (0-0/31.61), ahead of Madeline Sinderberry with GC Chicane (0-0/31.91) and Jacke Barker with Oaks Cryptic (0-0/32.24).
The day concluded with a jumping masterclass conducted by the three young horse judges in the indoor arena. Young Riders Harry Gault, Valentina Hercus, Malikah Rudge and Millicent Quigley-Smith were put through their paces as crowds watched on in the grandstand. Jake, Vicki and Jeff shared their wealth of experience in an invaluable experience for the young riders.
