Show Report: 2021 Erreplus President’s Cup

With the conclusion of the 19th annual Erreplus President’s Cup hosted by Maple Ridge Equestrian Farm, many athletes have walked away from the event thrilled with their performances. We’ve already covered Nicola Sime-Riley’s spectacular back-to-back victory in the Erreplus sponsored main class, as well as the Pony Rider, Junior, and Children’s titles, but there was action aplenty across the rest of the adult open grades, with exciting 1.30m, 1.35m, and 1.40m championships taking place over the weekend.

The 1.30m competitors were the first of the adult open grades to tackle their championship. Sponsored by Sealant Rubber, the winner would be adorned with a beautiful day sheet and sash alongside the additional sponsored prizes including the grand cash prize. With 13 places on offer, almost 50 combinations put their best feet forward in the hopes of claiming the top spot. With several competitive combinations including Shaun Neill on his recently acquired Callaho Con Cero, Laurin McLaren on Locarno Nandi, and KZN natives, Martin Minett and Capital Dollaroso, the field was strong and would certainly require a bit of luck in addition to skill.

Advertisement

Advertisement

With multiple clears coming from the first round, the jump-off was set to be an exciting affair. Ronnie Healy of RH Equestrian rode into the arena aboard Caroline Lea’s Elmo. With Ronnie’s excellent riding and competitive nature, the gelding flew around the track to earn himself a 3rd place behind Lorette Knowles-Taylor who, after acquiring Voigtskirch Sahara just a few months ago, laid down an inspiring performance to claim the 2nd podium step. With a successful few days of jumping on her new partner, Capital Cameroon, to give her additional confidence, Kerry Rees and her long-time steed, Seeis Le Champ, were indomitable, out-pacing and out-turning the rest of the field to claim the top spot in the 1.30m Sealant Rubber Championship – a fantastic outcome for the young rider who has been actively ensuring a successful career for herself and is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with.

While Saturday’s events were closed out with Janine Coetzee winning the Children’s President’s Cup competition and Cody Sander winning the Pony Rider President’s Cup competition. Sunday morning was the day the 1.35m and 1.40m competitors got to strut their stuff. A bright and early start saw a testing track designed by Brett Webber (FEI 2*), however, with a slightly generous time allowed, competitors were afforded enough time to re-group between fences and so 17 athletes managed clear rounds. With the promise of wonderful prizes and the red and yellow day sheet provided by sponsors for the class, Tork Craft, the jump-off was an exciting one.

The first combination into the arena was Tamara Rueda and her new stallion, Just On Time Z. After a short few months together on the competitive circuit, Tamara tested the stallion’s jump-off abilities but decided against racing, coming home clear in a time of 52.42 seconds which would ultimately secure them a 6th place. 

At number 3 on the running order was Cayleigh Triggol riding Thomas Triggol’s Fiona. The fantastic combination, which has taken some time to gel, finally pulled out all the stops as they pulled off a marvelous round to come home in a time of 46.11 seconds. Their round saw them into the lead at that very early stage of the competition but Cayleigh would have to wait patiently on the side-lines to see who might come and topple her off her top spot. Tamara Rueda returned to the arena once more on JK Quantas 18 where the pair looked to be back to their old form and provided a competitive time of 47.51 seconds – not quick enough to topple Cayleigh, but a solid performance that sealed them 3rd place. Monique Erasmus then stepped into the arena on her trusty steed, Callaho Connair, and successfully navigated the course without dropping a single rail and in a time of 46.43 seconds. Others went quicker, but none were able to pair both quick and clear rounds, and when the final rider had crossed the finish line, none had done enough to topple Cayleigh Triggol who secured the victory in the Tork Craft 1.35m Championship.

The last of the championships before the main Junior and Adult President’s Cup classes was the 1.40m championship graciously sponsored by Linda Ellerine from Back on Track. With 6 places on offer and 11 combinations successfully providing a faultless first round, the jump-off was as exciting as anyone could hope for. The strong group of riders included Jeanne Korber and the blisteringly quick Your Perfect Africa’s La Mina Z, Paige Goetsch and Biogen’s Casper, and Chris van der Merwe on Quidchin Bellignies Z but as rails fell for both Paige and Chris, their chances of a ribbon were out the door. Jeanne Korber, however, had a fantastic round in a time of 43.67 seconds but it proved to be too slow to secure a podium as they ended in 4th.

Claiming 3rd place in the 1.40m Back on Track Championship was the combination who made their 1.50m debuts at this very event in 2020, Hanelize Kamffer and the White Waters Warmblood Stud stallion, On Time, in a time of 42.76 seconds while 2nd place was nabbed by the RNR sponsored rider from KwaZulu-Natal, Oliver Bishop and his gelding, Gaucho D’Emma in a time of 41.36 seconds. Oliver’s unique way of riding, with long reins and light seat, have often been a talking point, but his unorthodox manner is proving to be highly effective as the young talent continues to claim podium positions in multiple height categories and on multiple horses.

Advertisement

Advertisement

But, beating them all to claim the top spot in the 1.40m Champion was Chatan Hendriks on Biogen’s Kolinko in a time of 41.16 seconds. This incredible partnership has grown from strength to strength and been a formidable combination at all events this year starting with the Reonet Riders Grand Prix, where Chatan took the win in the 1.35m Silver tour with Biogen’s Greta G and 2nd place with Biogen’s Kolinko. The pair then stepped up a height category two weeks later at the Puresan Stokkiesdraai Cup into the 1.40m Riders Grand Prix event where they once again placed 2nd. With all horse and rider combinations starting the year fresh, it seems that the 2021 showjumping season is set to be Chatan’s year of great success.

Congratulations to all the competitors, to Verity Combrink and the team at Maple Ridge for a successful Erreplus President’s Cup and a thank you to all the sponsors who generously remain active in the sport.

-The JumpOff-

Advertisement