Sharon Slater’s Cashassini 11, who was crowned Young Jumping Horse Champion of Champions at DJWTS.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
By Suzie Willis
Despite Werribee being known for it’s cold and windy weather, the first two days of “Jumping with the Stars” produced nothing but sunshine. Unfortunately, the good weather did not continue for the final classes on Saturday but nonetheless the jumping continued to be great. The organizing committee combined with the team at Werribee Equestrian Centre had the grounds prepared to perfection, with nothing but green grass to allow the young horses to enjoy a wonderful few days of show jumping.
The outdoor arenas were lovely and green at DJWTS and accomodated the majority of the jumping classes.
© Suzie Willis
The judges for the weekend were David Quick, Michelle Lang-McMahon and international judge Hanz-Josef (Peppi) Dahlmann. The sections consisted of 4, 5, 6, and 7 year olds with a “Current Stars” class each day for grand-prix horses. Each young horse was judged on movement, scope, technique, ridability and general impression. However, ridability was worth double the points and scope and technique worth triple points. This meant each horse got a score out of 100 per day and total out of 300. After jumping for two days, the top 10 horses from each section jumped in the final of their age group on Saturday.
First up were the four-year-old horses and despite a technically challenging course for the greenest horses of the show, there were many big scores. Overall winner was Obelix MVNZ ridden by Brook Dobbin with a score of 227.33, followed by Casa de Playa ridden by Daniel Bourne, and in third Beltana Quintessential with Brooke Campbell on 211.83.
Next the five-year old section was won by Sharon Slater’s Cashassini 11 on a massive score of 251.33, followed by Copabella Camouflage and Brooke Campbell with 241.33 and Illuminate with Rebecca Burns on 219.17.
For the six year olds, Caroline Price’s imported Stallion Calavino was the clear winner on 239.17, followed by Captivate and Suzie Verco on 220.33 and third again went to Brooke Campbell and Tulara WAT Connika.
Finally, the seven-year olds rounded up the style classes with Leopaldo MVNZ and Brook Dobbin were declared overall winners on 234.17, followed by Bluerock Rose and Gunn with Emily Hill on 168.33 and Desert Sands Vavoom with young rider Joel Pearce.
The “Current Stars” was dominated each day by Paul Brent on Fontane Blue VDL who won all three classes. In the final, this was closely followed by inter-state rider Kelly Slater Balmoral Cougar Peddy for second and Adam Johnson with his horse Up in third.
The indoor looked a picture at DJWTS; the Champion of Champions exhibition class was held in the indoor on Saturday afternoon.
© Suzie Willis
The winner from each age group went onto to compete for “Champion of Champions”. This title is competed for through guest judge, Peppi, riding each horse in an exhibition class. With three stallions through to the final it was a tough choice however, Sharon Slater’s imported stallion Cashassini 11 was crowned the “Champion of Champions” for 2018. A deserved win for the young stallion whose only been competing for six months but been showing incredible scope and attitude, which makes him the young horse to watch for 2018.
Outside of the ring, thought had been put into the huge shopping precinct and many food vendors, making it an easy and enjoyable show. Overall it was a fantastic few days put on by Equestrian Victoria and the hardworking committee, proving it is a show not to be missed in 2019!
VIEW THE RESULTS FROM DJWTS HERE
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