Show Report: South African Youth Championships

The final competition of the 2020 show calendar was an incredible success in all departments. The President’s speech the night before the launch of the South African Youth Championships had the team at Kyalami Equestrian Park loaded with yet another challenge in keeping the numbers down. However, with the support and compliance of many competitors, the final event was concluded in fine style. The 3 age categories at this event, Pony Riders, Childrens, and Juniors, saw some fantastic jumping from our young showjumpers in South Africa.

Equine74 Pony Rider 1.20m SA Individual Championship

Run as a traditional South African Grand Prix competition with competitors taking part over 2 full rounds with a jump-off if there is equality of penalties for first place, 9 riders stepped up on the final day after 2 previous warm-up classes which determined the riding order for the final competition. With the conclusion of the first round, 8 riders continued on to the second after 1 rider fell, eliminating them from the competition. The first round concluded with 2 riders providing a clear, Jade Anderson with Lipizza Bannut Ooh-La-La and Divan Bosman with Cornerstone’s Mighty Warrior, and 2 riders carrying forward 4 penalties, Jenna Kirk with Perfect Impression and Cody Sander with Polleke v’t Plutoniahof. Divan Bosman rode his second round and clipped a rail which concluded his two rounds on a total of 4 penalties in a time of 76.35 to see him into 3rd while Jenna Kirk and Perfect Impression secured a clear in a time of 65.72 to end their class in 2nd on 4 penalties. Cody Sander and Polleke v’t Plutoniahof also provided a clear but with a time of 77.55 seconds, they finished up in 4th. Providing the only double clear after the 2nd round, Jade Anderson and Lipizza Bannut Ooh-La-La were crowned the individual 2020 1.20m Pony Rider South African Champions.

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Chillout Equestrian Children’s 1.10m SA Individual Championship

The 2020 Children’s category was an exciting competition which saw an impressive 16 entrants vying for the win. With the conclusion of the first round, 12 riders secured their spot in round 2 of which 5 of them provided a clear round and another 5 carried forward 4 penalties. With a single rail down, the competition could belong to anyone. 4 of the 1st round clears managed to double up on their chances forcing a jump-off to decide the winner. Mikaela Martin and Penbritte’s Quicksilver rode through the track in a blistering time of 34.84, the quickest time in the jump-off, but with a rail knocked out of its cups, the pair finished on 4 penalties. Port Elizabeth rider, Tanit Williams and her partner Lady Rollem provided a speedy round in a time of 35.84 but a falling rail would see them finish the competition in 3rd while the rider from Mauritius, Holly Smith, in her haste, pulled the last 2 rails down to conclude their competition on 8 penalties. The only rider to successfully complete all 3 rounds with a clear round, Jamie Alexander and El Salvador, claimed the title of the 2020 Children’s South African Champion in a time of 39.01 seconds.

Western Shoppe Junior 1.35m SA Individual Championship

The final title competition for the afternoon was an incredibly exciting contest to watch as the best junior riders across South Africa made their way to Kyalami Equestrian Park to claim the top spot in the 1.35m South African Youth Championships. 25 confident and competitive combinations stepped forward for round 1 of the competition which displayed a testing and technical track designed by FEI 3* course designer, Anne-Marie Esslinger. With 5 eliminations, 4 four-faulters, 3 riders with a single time fault and 8 combinations securing a clear, the second round looked set to be the deciding factor. With another 3 eliminations in the 2nd round coming from the higher qualifiers (in the second round) and 5 riders securing the double clear, the class continued to keep everyone enthralled as it moved forward to the jump-off.

First into the arena for the jump-off was Ada-Raine Ferguson and Mitsubishi Rivonia Action Girl who set off at a flying pace but a miscommunication saw the pair parting ways and resulted in an elimination for a fall of rider, still placing her 5th in the competition. Next to go was another visiting rider from across the borders, Jacob Peech and Capital Chatman who appeared a little tired after the day’s competition and came home with a total of 10 penalties in a time of 40.32 seconds to secure 4th position.

The last 3 riders to step into the arena were all incredibly speedy and desperate for victory but with all things said and done, Olivia van Rooyen and Caritou Z did KZN proud as they came home with 6 penalties in a time of 40.47 to claim the 3rd position podium while the 2nd spot went to Western Cape rider, Daniel Moore and Edito Calvaro S. who completed their jump-off which a single rail down to total 4 penalties in a time of 36.20 seconds.

After an unbelievable show with victories in every class preceding the final competition, Jorja Joan Rorich and Blue Steel Equestrian’s Assegai Cognac came into the final competition as the highest qualifier. With 3 warm-up class victories, 3 clear rounds produced in the final class, the pair claimed victory, the title of the 2020 Junior 1.35m South African Youth Champion, and the Junior 1.35m Victrix Ludorum. Representing Port Elizabeth and coach Diane Botes, Jorja displayed her mettle and achieved what every rider aims to do.

-The JumpOff-

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