Defending champ does it again

The eighth edition of the Nissan Easter Festival, which took place from April 8 to April 17, hosted hundreds of equestrian competitors and supporters from across Africa.

Equestrian athletes from countries such as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland, Zambia and Namibia competed against a strong South African contingent of riders from a wide range of disciplines such as showing, equitation, dressage and showjumping.

The star of the show was again Nicola Sime-Riley, owner of Benoni Small Farms’ Sunny Park Equestrian Club.

This year Sime-Riley rode Fulvic Connoisseur and won the Nissan 1.50m South African Outdoor Grand Prix on Monday, April 17.

Having won the 2016 title on Sunny Park Stables Elpaso, she wasn’t going to give up the title easily, and completed both her showjumping rounds on Connoisseur clear, but for a one-time penalty in each round, ending up on two penalties overall.

“FEI Level Three course designer Marco Behrens from Germany built a fantastic course with a very tight time,” she said.

“I couldn’t be more proud of both my horses today.

“We’ve been working on this goal since the beginning of the year and we were fit and confident.

“On championship day I felt relaxed and at one with both of my horses.

“It helped too that my family were all there.

“A whole host of my clients supported me, too.”

Constantly pushing Nicola was 2012 and 2014 champion and Capital Stud rider Nicole Horwood riding Mark White Nissan Capital Don Cumarco, who placed second overall.

In third place was Dominey Alexander on Armageddon.