World Cup Showjumping comes back to Toowoomba
From Anna Schafferius of Showjumping Queensland

On 5th August 2006, the season's 1st Qualifying Round of the Pacific League of the Showjumping World Cup will be held at the Toowoomba Showgrounds’ Indoor Arena. Not since the late 80's in the middle of Alan Bond's "Swan Series" phenomenon has this city hosted a World Cup. Organisers are hoping that this country city's people will once again support showjumping in the same manner.

The event has drawn interest from some of the best riders in Australia and neighbouring countries, including Olympian George Sanna, New Zealand Young Riders Champion Lisa Coupe and recent winner of the $25,000 Elysian Showjumping Gold Classic and Olympian, Vicki Roycroft.
The competition also incorporates the Queensland Indoor Showjumping Championships which will run over 3 days, the 4th, 5th and 6th August and include Junior, Young Rider, Amateur rider and Young Horse competitions.

Event organisers Joan Schafferius and Graeme Watts said “We are hoping to attract around 300 competitors to this prestigious event in Toowoomba. It will be a great event to participate in as well as spectate”.

An event of this calibre would not be possible without the wonderful support of the following sponsors- Toowoomba City Council, James Home Services, L.J Hooker, Agritech Fabrications, the Coffee Club, Oakey Veterinary Hospital, Westco Truck Sales, Garden City Event Hire, Clive Berghofer Land Sales, Wholesale Horsewear House, Finch Farm, Eagle Boys Pizza, Oakey Weighbridge and Haultech Engineering, Kara Kar Horse Floats, Edwards Saddlery and Mike Williams Country Clothing.

Notable absentees from the list of competitors will be Queenslander Peter McMahon, New South Welshmen David Robertson and Rod Brown and 20 year old Victorian, Jamie Kermond who will all be flying to Germany on the 19th July hoping to claim a spot on the team representing Australia at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen in September.

Footnote: Toowoomba is on the top end of the eastern coast of Australia and while the southern states are in the midst of winter and hopefully much needed rain, the weather in Toowoomba at this time of year is the type of which holidays are made!