As the 2021 showjumping season kicks off with several shows across the country, the dates for the ever-popular Young Horse Performance Series have been confirmed with a total of 6 legs including the finals. After its birth in 2005, the YHPS has grown with enormous popularity and a steady stream of sponsors looking to be a part of this exciting development initiative.
The first leg of the 2021 series kicks off at Kyalami Equestrian Park on the 21st of February with 2020’s leg 1 winners sure to be back to start off their season with a bang. While the 4-year-old category will see a new group of future prospects, last year’s 4-year-old Potential Showjumper, Callaho Bogart, will be stepping up to the 5-year-old category where he and rider, Lorette Knowles-Taylor will certainly be trying to make their mark and claim victory. The two 5-year-old winners from leg one, Branic Corvette with Shepherd Zira and Hausberger’s Sir Crumble, likely with Ronnie Healy riding in place of owner and regular rider, Ashlee Healy, will also be looking to reclaim their top spots in their new age brackets. Last year’s 6-year-old winners, Downton Abbey with Emilio Agliati and Callaho Cartier with Rainer Korber, will step up into the top category of the series.
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The 2nd leg will be hosted by Maple Ridge Equestrian Farm on the 7th of March where, once again, we’re expecting a strong showing from the previous winners. The winners of the showjumping section, Onduno Sytoki and Kyla Bruyns will present in the 6-year-old category while Capital Clifton, the previous 6-year-old winner from leg 2, will possibly return with a new rider as Kelly O’Connor embarks on a journey to compete in Europe. The Potential Showjumper winners, the aforementioned Callaho Bogart and Hausberger’s Sir Crumble, as well as Callaho Libertine Love with Chatan Hendricks.
Leg 3 was unfortunately cancelled last year, however, the dates are set for 2021 and will be hosted by Fourways Riding Center on the 5th of June. Last year, the resumption of shows saw many of leg 2’s victors retain their placing in leg 4, which for 2021 will be hosted at Kawena on August 14th.
Leg 5 will be the final chance for competitors to seal their spot at the finals. While the host venue is unconfirmed, the competition will take place on the 18th of September. Last year’s 5th leg saw an exciting mix of new winners with Charley-Ann Crockart’s spectacular stallion, Legend, making his name in the competition arena by winning the 4-year old Potential Showjumper category. The 5-year-old Potential Showjumper was won by Callaho Con Cato and Paul Kent while the 6-year-old category was won by Rainer Korber on Callaho Warmblood Stud’s Stallion, Cartier. The showjumping section also saw some new victors with Onduno Walfaction and Kyla Brimacombe securing the 5-year-old win and Equine Librium Callaho Laluna with Christine Kahn taking the 6-year-old win.
The final leg of the 2021 Young Horse Performance series will be the highlight of the season as the event will once again be live-streamed and draw spectators (Covid-19 depending of course) from across the country to come and witness the potential future superstars. With an assortment of sponsorships, wonderful prizes and the titles on offer, 2021’s season will be closed out at the fantastic Steyn City Equestrian Center on the 23rd of October.
-The JumpOff-
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