Billy Raymont dominates at the Homes & Acreage World Wetlands Day Jumping Championships

Billy Raymont and Anton were victorious in the Browns Sawdust Grand Prix at the Homes & Acreage World Wetlands Day Jumping Championships at Boneo Park.

© Derek O’Leary

Riding his long term partner Anton, Billy Raymont clinched victory in the Browns Sawdust Grand Prix class at the Homes & Acreage World Wetlands Day Jumping Championships today, and also placed second with YPH Capulet!

15 combinations started in the main class of the three day show, with those who jumped clear and 4-faulters from Round 1 progressing to Round 2. Competition was fierce; when Billy Raymont jumped a clear, fast round early in the jump off with YPH Capulet, despite picking up 4 faults in Round 1, he put pressure on those still to jump. Robert Palm added 8 penalties to his Round 1 score with Jaybee Vibrant to finish 4th overall, then Jessica Pateman had 3 down with Celso which dropped her to 7th behind Andrew Lamb and CP Argento in 5th, and Brook Dobbin and Gina MVNZ in 6th.

Queenslander Billy Raymont and Anton showed their experience; as the first of the Round 1 clears to enter the ring, they jumped a foot perfect round, becoming the only combination to jump a double clear in the class to take the win. Ally Lamb and the stallion Eagle Rock were next out, picking up a rail to finish 3rd behind Billy Raymont with YPH Capulet. Sadly Kristy Bruhn and Jack, who were the last combination to jump off having been the fastest clear in Round 1, did not complete Round 2 after Jack presented lame on landing from a fence and required veterinary attention. An update later in the day confirmed that he had injured a tendon however recovery is expected – we wish Jack all the best for a full recovery.

Earlier in the day Andrew Lamb won the Homes & Acreage Mini Prix class with Denison Park Spartava, with Russell Johnston placing 2nd in the class of 27 with Dondersteen. Tesse Cook placed 3rd with Allwynds Valherro, while Amanda Ross placed 4th with Dondiablo ahead of 5th placed Brook Dobbin riding Gabriel MVNZ.

Brook Dobbin and Miranda MVNZ won the Interpath Future Stars Championship

© Derek O’Leary

Brook Dobbin won the hotly contested Interpath Future Stars Championship with Miranda MVNZ, while Russell Johnstone picked up another 2nd placing, this time with Cantone, and also placed 4th riding Cantara. Madeline Sinderbery placed 3rd riding Keilor Bamboo, while Amanda Ross rode into 5th place with RLE Cavalier Vivendi.

Other winners today included Megan Joyce in the Horseland Open Championship riding Blackall Park Cha Cha, Mia McNaught and Balloun in the Petstock Young Rider Championship, Jack Barker in the Leader Equine Junior Championship riding Mighty Tosca, and Robert Palm in the Racing Victoria Off the Track Championship, which had 29 starters.