The President’s Cup competition is often one of the most exciting competitions on the annual calendar as riders across all age categories compete for the title and prestige of an event scored across three individual competitions culminating in a grand prix-style finale. The Pony Rider category is always incredibly exciting as they appear to have a greater level of bravery and fearlessness that often sees incredible turns, lightning-fast rounds, and superb ponies.
The first competition to welcome the Pony Riders to the Erreplus President’s cup was hosted on Thursday in the newly revamped main arena at Maple Ridge Equestrian Farm. The A2 competition, sponsored by Hollard, saw some highly competitive young children navigate the Brett Webber (FEI 2*) designed track with great pace and nippy turns. With the final combination through the finish beams, leading the pack was Luca Watson and Medunsa Trick or Treat, who only this year made their step up into the 1.10m/1.15m heights at just 10 years old. Occupying 2nd place was the KZN native Ella Mostert with Highover Ferdinand, and 3rd was claimed by last year’s Pony Rider President’s Cup champion, Katherine Franck and Bodenhausen Le Chocolatier.
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This first competition set the foundation for a great show for the riders who secured the clear enabling them to progress to the 2nd competition with 0 points. The second competition was a traditional jump-off class sponsored by Hollard. With 5 combinations managing a clear in the first round, only 2 competitors decided to jump off against the clock, which placed Luca Watson, Jade Anderson, and Cody Sander joint in 3rd position. The victorious rider was a Zimbabwean visitor Louis Peech with his aesthetically unique pony, Kiss-A-Me, while 2nd was awarded to Cody Sander on Voodoo.
The conclusion of the first 2 competitions enabled several Pony Riders to successfully qualify for the final championship competition with zero points carried forward. With the competition run over 2 rounds, all eligible riders carried forward any points incurred from the previous competitions and would start the final title class in reverse order of points allowing competitors with zero points the advantage of starting in the latter half of the class. With 10 combinations making their way forward for the final competition, Cody Sander found himself in a fantastic position as he entered the final competition with no marks against his name.
With all competitors through the finish, the winner of the Hollard-sponsored Pony Rider President’s Cup would be the ‘Boy Wonder’ Cody Sander, who has established a fantastic partnership with his mare, Polleke Van’t Plutoniahof. The natural talents visible from this young man are incredible and coupled with his hard work, dedication to his ponies, and positive, competitive attitude, the possibilities are endless and the future is as exciting for Cody as it is for his fans and followers. Claiming 2nd place in the Pony Rider President’s Cup competition was Jade Anderson and Lipizza Bannut Ooh-La-La whilst rounding out the podium positions was Cody Sander on his second pony in the class, Voodoo.
Congratulations to all the Pony Riders and congratulations to Cody Sander on a superb victory and the title of Pony Rider President’s Cup Champion. Alongside the title earned, Cody also walks away with a great cash prize, sponsored prizes and the day sheet and sash proudly sponsored by Hollard Insurance.
-The JumpOff-
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