The latest news in from the 22nd Mt. Gambier Showjumping Easter Festival attracted the biggest entries it has had for quite a few years and it was thought that many riders made the trip to check out where the Australian Showjumping Championships will be held in December this year.
The surface proved excellent, as always, over the 4 days and the Mount Gambier Showjumping Club again introduced a number of new fences this year. The open water was used in all classes except the 'D' Grade events. The events were dominated by Victorians who jumped into 9 winning places out of the 11 events.
The main
event was the Futurity which attracted a field of 43 horses over a John Wilsher
track which saw an average height of 1.35m, and 11 went into the jump off
where the fences were at 1.45 m.
Jamie Kermond (pictured above in England), who returned from England
the day before the start of jumping, took out the prestigious Futurity for
the 2nd year in a row, riding Stylish King. Jamie won wiith a clear round
in a time of 42.41 sec with second place going to Jeff Bloomfield and the
very handsome and talented Voltaire stallion, Ideal De Valette who also jumped
clear in a time of 43.00.
The A& B championship attracted a strong field of 20 horses with only four of these clear into the second round. Seventeen horses returned for the second round and over a shortened 1.50m track only 3 emerged with a total of four faults.
After
a second jump off South Australian, Anthony Thomas took the winners place
in the lineup riding Mitavite Double Take jumping clear in 51.65secs. Second
place also went to South Australia with the rising star, Kristy Bruhn and
Murph jumping clear in 52.05secs. Victorian, Tim Clarke and Speilberg had
four faults in 51.66secs giving them third place with Anthony Thomas also
taking fourth place this time with Classic Style. Fifth place went to Clover
Flush.
In other classes results were:
D Grade - 6 points and under
1st Tim Clark and Rusty Gun
2nd Kym Mosey and Corsica
D Grade
1st Mark Nicholls and Hidden Agenda
2nd Anthony Thomas and MEC Fire
C Grade - One Round Stakes
1st - Bianca Gilchrist and Elaynoui
2nd - Amanda Barclay and Ain't No Worries
A&B - One Round Stakes
1st - Brook Dobbin and Carrick Clover
2nd - Tim Clarke and Wondaree Without A Doubt
D Grade
1st - Tim Clarke and Dreamtime Road
2nd - Gary Kermond and Revolver
C&D Grade
1st - Russell Morrison and JF Didgeridoo
2nd - Sara Willoughby and Bojangles
B&C Grade
1st - Jamie Kermond and Stylish King
2nd - Damian Hanrahan and Magic Destroyer
A&B Grade
1st - Kristy Bruhn and Murph
2nd - Anthony Thomas and Classic Style
Power & Speed
1st - Anthony Thomas and Mitavite Double Take
2nd - Kristy Bruhn and Romantic Idol
Peter Kemp was judging and with the weather being great, the surface perfect
and the jumping gear look sensational, the show was a great success and no
doubt those who made the trip for the first time will be looking forward to
the Australian Championships in December at the venue considered by many to
be the best in the country!
Great to know that the there is an exchange of ideas happening at The Mount
over the next few days as Irish Course Designer, Peter Clarke has hooked up
with Australian Course Designer, John Wilsher on his trip to Australia and
is enjoying some "typical Australian hospitality". Hopefully Peter
will get to sample some of the great wines from the South Australian vineyards
- and those at home will be expecting plenty of photographs and stories on
his return!
Thanks to our Mount Gambier correspondent for this great report and jumpingaround.com
look forward to bringing you all the colour and results from the Australian
Showjumping Championships in Mount Gambier in December 2004.
