Show Preview: 2020 South African Outdoor Grand Prix

As we rapidly approach the final stretch of a very busy 2nd half of the year, 2 title shows remain before the industry settles down for a well deserved Christmas break. The first, which we’ll take a look into in this article, is the South African Outdoor Grand Prix, traditionally hosted over Easter weekend by Kyalami Park Club. Due to the global pandemic, this year’s event has had to be delayed, taking place in December from the 9th to the 13th instead of its usual dates in April.

The competition rules state that the top 30 qualifiers will be eligible to take part in the final 1.50m championship and each rider may have a maximum of 2 horses. The previous year’s winner will receive automatic qualification for the championship should they be entered and unable to qualify in the top 30, however, they are still required to complete at least one of the qualifying competitions. The Grand Prix round will consist of 2 rounds and a jump-off should there be an equality of aggregate penalties between athletes upon completion of round 2.

Advertisement

Advertisement

History

The outdoor Grand Prix has been a long-standing tradition in the showjumping calendar dating back to its birth in 1975 when the iconic horseman, Mickey Louw, claimed the first-ever title of Outdoor Grand Prix Champion on the thoroughbred Ford Appraise. The event has been run religiously since the start with only a single year missing out on the title in 1983. The record holder of this prestigious title remains with Barry Taylor, who has won the title 8 times over a 26-year period. The closest riders to this record are Mickey Louw, Ronnie Lawrence, and Gonda Betrix who have won the title 3 times each while several riders have won it twice including, Nicola Sime-Riley, Nicole Horwood, and Gail Foxcroft.

Who to look out for this year?

While Barry himself will not be competing for the title this year, several of his pupils will be vying for the title including his wife, Lorette Knowles Taylor, as well as Michelle Fleming and Gareth Neill, riding Equistro van der Mispelaere, PlastiColors Masterbatch Chogori, and Dartoli, respectively.

Ivan van der Sijde, based out of Plettenberg Bay, is listed to take on the 1.50m classes on his chestnut gelding, Rivervale’s Best Wishes who has been a steady campaigner in the 1.50m heights this year. With the help of his coach, Ronnie Lawrence, who is no stranger to this event having won the title 3 times and will be once again competing on Avis Gillian van Orshof, Ivan will surely be setting his sights on the final competition and look to take home his first major 1.50m title.

Nicole Horwood will be looking to take home another title for 2020 after her recent victory at the South African Adult Showjumping Championships in KwaZulu-Natal. Claiming her 2nd SA Champs title on Mark White Nissan’s Capital Chantilly, Nicole will be looking to continue her incredible run of form and claim her 3rd South African Outdoor Grand Prix title. While Capital Don Cumarco will not be entered after his official retirement at SA Champs, to double up her chances, Nicole also has Capital Kronos and Capital Hitoshi entered in the 1.50m classes although she will only be eligible to compete on 2 of her 3 riders in the final championship class. Capital Chantilly is a horse who knows her way around the competition, after taking the win in a rain-soaked 2019 event with Chris van der Merwe.

Ronnie Healy has entered in the 1.50m classes with 2 horses, Blue Turtle Catweazle and Hausberger’s Eldo and, after a successful year with several top 6 placings in the highest grades, will be a strong competitor for the title. Jeanne Korber will also be looking to claim her first victory at this event with Style Fragrances Callaho Lexington after the pair recently stepped up to the 1.50m levels.

With her return to the top levels of the sport, Charley-Ann Crockart and The Burgh’s Epomein have marked their entrance and will make their first attempt at the Outdoor Grand Prix title. With a successful debut of their partnership in the 1.50m classes, the pair will be eagerly anticipating the final competition. Cayleigh Triggol, at only 22 years old, will also be looking to stamp her return to the top levels, riding Callaho’s Fiona, and claim her first major title victory. Should she claim victory, it would be even sweeter as Equine 74 – the gastric supplement company locally distributed by Cayleigh – are sponsors for the main title.

-The JumpOff-

Advertisement