April is the month in which the showjumping calendar really kicks into high gear with several major title competitions coming thick and fast and the World Cup Qualifier Series filling the gaps throughout the year. After the first 3 major competitions where Carl Boonzaaier claimed victory at the Reonet Riders Grand Prix, Nicole Horwood took home the Puresan Stokkiesdraai Cup title, and Nicola Sime-Riley secured her 4th President’s Cup title, the next accolade available to our top athletes is the SA Outdoor Grand Prix incorporated into the Easter festival.
The 2020 Outdoor Grand Prix suffered a cruel fate not once, but twice over. After its initial date was unavailable due to the national lockdown, the replacement date in December was highly anticipated. But, after 3 days of active competition, several positive COVID-19 cases emerged and the organisers were forced to cancel the event. This year, however, the event is once again set to take place over the Easter weekend and our idolised riders are ready for the challenge ahead of them.
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Brett Webber (FEI 2*) will be the man behind the tracks in the Bob Charter arena and following his success at the Erreplus President’s Cup a short few weeks ago, he’ll be well prepared and eager to test the riders at his 2nd title show for 2021.
The entrants this year are an exciting group as several riders will have their horses stepping up a height and making their 1.50m debut. Included in that list is Tamara Rueda who has had a great start to the new year with the debut of her stallion, Just On Time Z, and her partnership with a new sponsor, Cieli Equestrian. This time, however, her new steed set to join the top ranks is AAN Equine L’Adorado FG. After numerous victories in the 1.40m heights, the gelding is seemingly ready to take the next step and, with Tamara guiding him around, their debut 1.50m event should be exciting.
Another competitor stepping up to the top heights is Bronwyn Dos Santos. While she is no stranger to the top ranks with several partners previously at those heights, her two steeds, Capital Levubu and Bibisi, will both be having their first look around the 1.50m heights according to SASJ’s entries. It has long been said by onlookers that both horses were inevitably going to reach the top and with their entries into the 1.50m classes, the time has finally arrived to see them in action.
Joining the list of debuting combinations will be Desiree Davidson and her chestnut wonder, Le Cadeau. After attempting their first 1.40m competition in 2019, the pair have grown in confidence and become strong contenders in the 1.40m/1.45m ranks. This final step up will see them compete against seasoned campaigners like Jeanne Korber with Style Fragrances Callaho Lexington and Rainer Korber with Back on Track Clouny 3. The stellar stallion, GCS Max Chianti O.T. Lowlands also looks to make his first break into the 1.50m classes locally with the talented rider, Neriske Prinsloo Hill, while John Bouwer is also looking to make a name for himself in the big grades with his gelding owned by Colleen Viljoen, Equestria’s Franklin.
Fresh off her President’s Cup win, Nicola Sime-Riley will be looking to continue her run of form with both Sunny Park Stables Insaghi DB and Sunny Park Stables Eagles Lazer. Looking to bounce back from the disappointment of President’s Cup is Ronnie Healy with both Hausberger’s Eldo and Blue Turtle Catweazle. Chatan Hendriks will once again be after his first title victory with the popular mare Biogen’s Greta G, after having previously finished second in the prestigious event in a rain-soaked 2019 event.
With almost 25% of the entries comprising first-timers, whether it be horse or rider, the competition is sure to see some exciting showjumping, some proud riders, owners, and grooms, and admirable efforts in securing the title. With over 70 riders in South Africa having completed at least one 1.50m round in the last 2 years, the entries for the top classes are constantly changing, however, the constant change is as exciting for the competitors as it is for the spectators, showcasing South Africa’s equestrian talent and providing an ever-changing field of competitors.
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The final day of the competition, Monday the 5th of April will be live-streamed by the EquestrianLive SA team and sponsored by Equine 74. This fantastic offering will enable thousands of spectators to join in on the events of the main day from the comfort of their own homes.
Best of luck to all competitors!
-The JumpOff-
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