Showjumpers reach great heights in Timsrand

TIMSRAND – Rankings that can be compared to counterparts around the world, are given to local non-open showjumpers.

November 20, 2020

Nicholas Zaal 1 minute read

Hailey Strydom riding Locarno Cosmopolitan wins gold.

It was a chance for local showjumpers to shine and see how they fared against their counterparts overseas, at the FEI World Jumping Challenge.

This a programme that travels around the world with the same course and top judges, providing riders with scores that could be accurately compared with counterparts in Australia, China, Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.

Timsrand’s Fourways Riding Centre was abuzz on 14 November for a day of jumping across three categories: bronze (1m and 1.1m jumps), silver (1.2m and 1.25m jumps) and gold (1.25m and 1.3m jumps).

About 100 riders proved their mettle on a tough course designed by Germany’s Christoph Johnen.

“Normally we have 20m between jumps but this was a tight course with tight turns and about 13m between jumps,” explained yard owner, Marion Clough.

“The arena was restricted to 65m by 45m but I think riders coped incredibly well and we had a nice number of clear rounds. I thought everyone looked stunning. We painted the jumps with the FEI colours and had a few sponsors to make the whole thing a great event for your non-open riders to jump and get rankings they can compare with others around the world.”

This just weeks after dressage riders had the same opportunity at the FEI World Dressage Challenge at the same venue.

The winners:

Gold (1.25m/1.30m)

• First: Hailey Strydom riding Locarno Cosmopolitan

• Second: Laurin Jean Mclaren riding Locarno Nandi

• Third: George Purbrick riding Callaho Concho Vella

• Fourth: Ariana Castle riding Tack ‘n Togs Hillview Paddy

Silver (1.10m/1.20m)

• First: Salome Nel riding Callaho Consina

• Second: Emma Dicks riding Polo Lounge

• Third: Charley-Ann Crockart riding Impangele Capital Collin

• Fourth: Jules Chevat riding Downtown Abbey