Held from 19-28 June, the major event run by The Queensland Showjumping Club Inc. attracted competitors and spectators from across the country and abroad, with over $150,000 in prizes up for grabs including a $20,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier in the ultimate celebration of jumping.
Week one of competition (18-21 June) saw the opening rounds of many of the competitions feature series events and culminated in the 1.50m Riders Cup. Thirty-eight competitors took to the main arena to contest international guest course designer Martin Otto’s (GER) track, vying to finish on top in the $15,000 class.
Olivia Hamood and Diangella were crowned the winners (0-0/41.92) narrowly ahead of Rhys Stones and Riverton Kanntador (0-0/41.93). Frida Lindgren and her nomination of Sovereign’s Forever rounded out the top three (0-0/44.64).
Week two action
Week two’s program commenced with the Oaks Sport Horses Young Horse Gala Day on Wednesday 24 June.
In the 4- and 5-Year-Old Young Jumping Horse Style Award, Emily Lang-McMahon’s nomination of K.S Iceman impressed the judges to take home the ultimate honours (82.05).
New Zealander Emma Gillies claimed the 1.10m 5- and 6-Year-Old Special Two Phase aboard Meadowlands Lulu Malone GNZ (0-0/33.14), with Christopher Burton and Deo Chacton (84.75) awarded the Style Award for the class.
Sarah McMillan and Santorini took home the 1.20m 6-and 7-Year-Old Special Two Phase (0-0/29.36), with Festival of Showjumping Organising Committee member Carly Overton presented with the Style Award for the class with her nomination of Blackstone Smoulder (82.35).
Super Saturday
Saturday’s program saw the first of the finals and major championship classes for week two, with the Stal Tops Young Rider, David Overton Memorial Cup, The Peachester Lodge sponsored Caboolture World Cup Qualifier, the West Vets Amateur Tour Final and the MGT Construction Children’s Tour Final.
After a successful trip to Australia last season, New Zealanders Emma Gillies and Benrose Black Jack made a triumphant return to claim the Stal Tops Young Rider in a thrilling jump off (0-0/36.50). Cody Tincknell and Numero Too were just fractions of a second slower, settling for second place (0-0/36.67). It was a fantastic class for the Kiwis, with New Zealand’s Liam Rutland claiming third place aboard Glenara Chartelle M (0-0/38.09).
Sarah McMillan had an excellent weekend in the saddle, claiming the David Overton Memorial Cup Future Stars 1.30m for 6-, 7- and 8-Year-Old Horses with her nomination of Dubrovnik (0-0/35.65). Second place went to Chloe Latham and ThreeMC Lumeah (0-0/36.07) ahead of James Harvey and GC Carmelita (0-0/37.73).
As a large crowd gathered around the main arena, thirty-two combinations lined up for the Peachester Lodge Caboolture World Cup Qualifier. It was an exciting class from the jump, with a number of combinations tackling their first ever World Cup Qualifier.
The first round of competition put the riders to the test. Melissa Blair and Selena C, Sarah McMillan and Tyrone VDL, Jess Brown and Elysian Fields Oceanus, and Madeline Sinderberry and Camie Z all rose to the occasion to record the only clear rounds.
With ten combinations returning to contest the second round, the pressure was certainly on the shoulders of the four riders clear in round one. Madeline Sinderberry and the uber careful Camie Z finished in a quick double clear (0-0/43.56) to jump to the lead. World Cup debutants Jess Brown and Elysian Fields Oceanus recorded the only other double clear of the competition, however a slower time of 48.01 saw the duo slot into second place (0-0/48.01). Jeremy Whale and Kingslea Centrose, carrying four penalties forward to the second round, produced an exceptionally quick clear jump off to finish in third place on the leaderboard (4-0/42.87). Round one winners Sarah McMillan and Tyrone VDL had Madi and Camie Z on time, but an unfortunate four penalties saw the duo settle for fourth place (0-4/43.29).
This victory marks back-to-back World Cup Qualifier victories for Madi and Camie Z, and firmly solidifies their status as the ones to watch this season.
In the Black Diamond Construction Arena, Erina Miyama and Waitangi Imagine claimed the West Vets Amateur Tour Final (0-0/36.90) ahead of Teigan Matthews and Baloubell (0-0/37.29). Rebecca Bates claimed third place on the podium with her nomination of Something To Talk About (0-0/38.51).
In the ever-competitive Children’s Tour Final, sponsored by MGT Construction, Audrey-May Geraghty finished on top with Second Edition (0-0/31.99). Second place went to Sienna Martin and Calveston Cavalier (0-0/37.81) with Winnie Coventry and Gangitano Zee taking out third place (0-0/39.06).
Final day of the festival
There was no shortage of action on the final day of competition.
James Paterson-Robinson took out the Kilcoy Rural 1.30m Ruby Final with ARC’s Kato (0-0/34.54) ahead of Christopher Burton and Deo Chameleon (0-0/36.62). Thomas Sedger and Finch Farm Charlie finished in third (0-0/36.71).
In the Magic Millions Mini Prix, Alexander Jang and Parallax SCF continued their excellent form to claim the class (0-0/36.14) ahead of Samantha Carrington and Double J Odin (0-0/37.43). Josh Collins and Yandoo Providence rounded out the top three in a very competitive class (0-0/39.42).
In the Southern Cross Event Hire Junior Final, Victorians Tanner Robinson and Casiana produced an exceptionally slick round to finish atop the leaderboard (0-0/36.37). Jake McEvoy and Sandhills Swing took second place (0-0/39.31) ahead of Ella Chase and Marine Park Kandoo (0-0/41.00).
In the Black Diamond Construction Arena, the Lever Equestrian Emerald Final was won by Madeline Sinderberry and Crumpet Xtreme (0-0/41.91) ahead of Zavannah Cochran and Cera Cadett (0-0/44.97). Mattea Davidson and MC Pico Diamonds picked up third (0-0/48.11).
In the Chuggy Equestrian Rising Stars Final, Victorian Charlee Dobbin took home the ultimate honours with her nomination of Maghiwi MSNZ (0-0/44.92). Hugh Buchanan and Clarabelle claimed second (0-0/47.54) ahead of Jasmine Cook and Summer Thyme in third (0-0/48.91).
Over in the Queensland Family Pools and Spas Arena, the Ord Minnett Noosa QSJC Members Championship was won by Isabelle Sauverain and The Radish (0-0/34.20). Maddison Herd and Foxhill Kaypers (0-0/36.26) and Daniel Blundell and General Firepower (0-0/40.54) rounded out the podium.
The final class of the festival, the Jasmine Dunmore Photography 1.05m Championship was taken out by Annalise Cooper-Morgan and Exman (0-0/28.32), with James Hosie and Miss Allykat (0-0/28.55) and Hunter Potter-Lowe and Vakarra Champagne (0-0/30.19) finishing in second and third respectively.
