SA’s best showjumpers expected at Nissan Easter Festival

KYALAMI – The Nissan Easter Festival attracts the best show jumpers from as far as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland, Zambia and Namibia.

April 12, 2019

Staff Reporter 2 minutes read

Ronnie Lawrence won last year's 1.5m outdoor grand prix. Photo: Denford Studios

The best showjumpers in South Africa have confirmed their attendance at the 10th annual Nissan Easter Festival.

Riders from as far as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland, Zambia and Namibia will grace Kyalami Equestrian Park from 13 to 22 April.

The very best in the sport contend for top prizes across the showjumping height divisions from 70cm to 1.50m. Last year saw showjumping legend, Ronnie Lawrence won the Adult 1.50m 2018 Nissan Outdoor Grand Prix.

Lorette Knowles-Taylor rides Elite Rhythm at last year’s festival. Photo: Denford Studios

He cleared all three rounds of the class on his horse, Gillian Van Orshof, in the Bob Charter Arena and rode through the finish flags of the jump-off in a winning time of 42.11s.

Nicola Sime-Riley and Sunny Parks Stables Elpaso – the 2017 South African Showjumping Derby winners – cleared the jump-off in 43.17s to finish second. Gareth Neill riding Dartoli came third.

Other top showjumpers who have confirmed their attendance this year include Mandy Johnston, Rainer Korber, Barry Taylor, Oscar Ncube, Anne Marie Esslingher, Liam Stevens, Dominey Alexander, Jonathan Clarke and Lorette Knowles-Taylor among a number of other great riders too many to mention.

Liam Stevens rides Assagi Serenata at last year’s festival. Photo: Denford Studios

The Nissan SA Outdoor Grand Prix takes place at 2pm on 22 April.

Multiple winner of the Grand Prix, Barry Taylor said anyone could take the title. “We are early on in the season and so some riders have struck form faster than others. The capacity crowds add a whole new dimension to the grand prix class and it really does come down to the horse and rider combination that can both stay focused and together,” he said.

Oscar Ncube rides Callaho La Padino at last year’s festival. Photo: Denford Studios

In addition to showjumping, there will be showing, equitation and dressage which will occur for the first three days of the festival. Adding to the competition will be a children’s gymkhana, fancy dress and VIP hospitality that’ll no doubt host the who’s who of Joburg.

“All are welcome… and for free,” said show director Heather Mpofu. “This show really does have something for everyone including the most enjoyable Nissan gymkhana games for the children on the Easter Sunday together with a visit from the Easter bunny. There’s also the nail-biting Nissan six-bar competition where only time will tell if new records will be set this year round.”