Josh Collins riding Cornel, with owners Emma Smith and Sarah Williams.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Josh Collins claims 4CYTE Grand Prix at Willinga Park
By Equestrian Life
Sunday at Jumping@Willinga saw the headline class take place on the Grandstand Arena in the afternoon. Worth $10k to the winner, the 4CYTE Grand Prix Spectacular featured a stellar line up of top horse and rider combinations — as well as an enthusiastic crowd.
After two rounds of jumping, two combinations managed to produce double clears: Josh Collins riding Cornel, and Phillip Steiner riding Cassina Dior. In the end, it was Josh who produced the quickest round, stopping the clock at 61.97 seconds — just ahead of Phillip’s 64.46. Cornel, an 11 year old grey stallion (Corlensky G x Beethowen), is owned by Emma Smith and Sarah Williams. Congratulations to all!
Third place went to Tom McDermott riding Cooley Gangster on a total of 4 faults, followed by Russell Johnstone and Daprice (4), Tom again with Cachassini II (4), Amanda Madigan and Diamond B Vivienne (4), Ally Lamb with Eagle Rock (4), Olivia Hamood and Knock Out 111 (8), Clem Smith and Oaks Conjuror (8), and Izabella Stone and Tulara Stolzette rounding out the top ten (8).
Earlier today, the action in the Grandstand Arena kicked off with the Shepherds Electrical Mini Prix Spectacular. Tom McDermott had enjoyed a fabulous competition thus far with a win on the Friday, and it was again his day — claiming first, second and third in the Mini Prix. Warraleigh Park Cortez was the quickest of his rides, stopping the clock at 46.28 in the jump off; second went to Alpha Activity on 46.72, and third went to Gredstedgaards Number One on 46.74. Double clears also went to fourth placed Izabella Stone and Oaks Ventriloquist, fifth placed Rachael Lee and Amigo, and sixth placed Jamie Winning-Kermond and Tulara Stolensky.
The last class of the event, the Construction Control Junior Grand Prix Spectacular, went to Charlie Magnier riding Master Stevie G, who were the quickest of four double clears. Second place went to Aria Baker and That’s Limo, third went to Sophie Baldwin and CW Conquest, and fourth went to Ella Silk and Redgum Conan.
Saturday at Willinga
Yesterday on the Grandstand Arena at Jumping@Willinga saw young horses and riders take centre stage.
The day began with the Cox Architecture Children’s Grand Prix Spectacular (238.2.2), and it was a hotly contested class. Three young riders made the jump off, and it was Amelia Tsilfidis who produced the only double clear — and the quickest jump off time — to win the class with Pride of Gold. The smallest of the class in height, Pride of Gold was certainly not lacking when it came to heart — nor speed! Second place went to Joel Lamb and JB Little Gun, while third went to Charli Stevens and CR Cruising.
The Hisway Futurity Spectacular saw equine stars of the future in action, and an exciting class it was. Twelve horses returned for the second round, with seven producing double clears. Two accumulated single time faults, leaving five on a total score of 0. It therefore came down to time, with Sweden’s Frida Lindgren and Van Damme stopping the clock at 49.74 seconds to claim the win, ahead of Amelia Douglass and Yalambis Jadore on 50.30 and Savanna Hopkinson and Bittern Park Karmen on 51.78 seconds. Fourth place went to Roy Inglis and Laracas and 51.88, and fifth went to Frida Lindgren — this time with Sovereign’s Halo.
The final class on the Grandstand Arena today was the Stal Tops Young Rider Series – Round 3 (238.2.2), a class sponsored by Edwina Tops-Alexander and Jan Tops in support of our Australian riders. The country’s top young riders were in action and certainly did not disappoint the crowd, with the results coming right down to the wire. Six combinations made the jump off, with three jumping double clears. Sally Simmonds, the penultimate competitor, produced the quickest round with Oaks Kingfisher stopping the clock at 48.96. Jess Rice-Ward and Denison Park Style were second on 49.11, ahile Tori Cureton and Equus Archer were third on 49.80.
Re-watch the action
All classes from the Grandstand Arena throughout the event were livestreamed thanks to principal sponsor 4CYTE and supporting sponsor Barastoc. You can rewatch the action here.
Full results from Jumping@Willinga are available here via Equipe.
