Katherine Franck Wins Pony Rider President’s Cup

With many on-goings and exciting happenings at President’s Cup this last week, the event has turned into a truly spectacular one this year despite the prior uncertainty in the showjumping calendar due to COVID-19. The Pony Rider classes were a super show of consistency, speed, and competitiveness as the classes were not only run under the same rules as the Adult President’s Cup competition but also incorporated the Premier Pony League.

The first competition of the PR President’s Cup title classes saw the riders jump their way around a Kate Launder (FEI 3*) designed A2-style competition with Katherine Franck riding Bodenhausen Le Chocolatier claiming top honours. Sitting neatly in 2nd place was Jade Anderson riding Lipizza Bannut Ooh-La-La, and on the 3rd podium spot, Perfect Impression ridden by Jenna Kirk.

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The Pony Riders returned for the 2nd event of the title competition where the top 3 positions would change hands. In this one round with a jump off competition, Jenna Kirk claimed victory on Perfect Impression, followed by Leonard Drotsky and Bob Marley’s Rasta in 2nd, and in 3rd place, Divan Bosman riding Cornerstone’s Mighty Warrior.

The competition culminated in an exciting 2-round final event on Saturday afternoon over a testing 1.15m track. All riders, except eliminations and retirements, would be eligible to take part in the second round, bringing forward penalties from the preceding days’ competitions. With 2 riders reaching the end of the third competition with zero penalties, a jump-off would decide the 2020 President’s Cup Pony Rider Champion. An exciting jump-off showed off the high standard of ponies in the country, but ultimately, the victory went to Bodenhausen Le Chocolatier and Katherine Franck in 27.95 seconds, coached by Joanne Van Achterbergh, while Jenna Kirk and Perfect Impression took home silver after a valiant 30.59-second round. The final podium spot was claimed by Jade Anderson riding Lipizza Bannut Ooh-La-La.

-The JumpOff-

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