Show Report – FEI World Jumping Challenge Leg 2

The FEI World Jumping Challenge is a unique event in which riders all across the world compete over the same tracks designed by one designer. Arenas need to be measured and set at the same size, 65m X 45m,  and fences need to be built to the exact specifications provided by the original plan. The final results after the completion of the three legs will see an individual winner per region, per country, and an overall winner across the globe in all the categories: Cat A, B, and C.

The second leg of the FEI challenge was hosted by Fourways Riding Centre, run by Marion Clough and her team, this past weekend which saw some exciting showjumping over 2 tricky tracks designed by Christoph Johnen from Germany.

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Bronze Tour/Category C: 1.00m – 1.10m

The Bronze Tour, or category C, was a hotly contested competition which saw only a handful of riders complete the two rounds with zero penalties. With the 2 rounds completed and the 2nd round showing some amazing pace and turns, the winner of the 2nd leg was Christine Kahn and Equine-Librium Callaho La Luna in a time of 49.13 seconds, the quickest of the day, while 2nd place was occupied by Ce’Nedra Drotsky, from Cornerstone Stables, riding Ghandi van’t Welthof. Rounding out the podium places was Salmaan Ismail riding Callaho Lloyd Sport in a time of 56.98 seconds.

Silver Tour: 1.10m – 1.20m

The Silver Tour, Category B, featured several riders new to this height, taking on the 2 tracks set out by the German course designer, Christoph. With some generously sponsored prizes and a beautiful FEI blanket for the winner, the class was exciting as riders took to the track. With the final horse through the finish line, victory went the way of Salome Nel, riding out of the Penbritte setup in Eikenhof, on her wonderful grey, Callaho Consina in a time of 51.26 seconds. 2nd place was awarded to Emma Dicks riding Polo Lounge in 57.55 seconds and 3rd place was claimed by Charley-Ann Crockart riding the Impangele-owned Capital Colin in a time of 58.06 seconds.

Gold Tour: 1.25m – 1.30m

The final height category and highest level available in the FEI Challenge, Category A, was filled with talented riding and past-paced turns as 15 riders made their way forward into the 2nd round. Carrying forward their penalties from the first round, 6 riders would complete the second round double-clear. With the time being the deciding factor in the second round, the winner of the Gold Tour was Hailey Strydom, coached by Nicola Sime-Riley of Sunny Park Stables, on the seasoned campaigner, Locarno Cosmopolitan in 51.14 seconds. 2nd place was also claimed by a Sunny Park Stables rider, Laurin Jean McLaren and Locarno Nandi in a time of 53.66 while in 3rd position was George Purbrick and Callaho Concho Vella with a time of 55.78.

Third Leg and COVID-19 Ramifications

The third and final leg of the 2020 FEI World Jumping Challenge will take place in just two weeks time at Kyalami Equestrian Park. However, unlike in years gone by where a winner was crowned after consistently excellent performances across all three legs, due to 2020’s struggles with the global pandemic, a rider’s top two results will be considered. This means that some riders may have elected to rest for the second leg in lieu of the upcoming SA Champs this week, while others may have elected to simply hold off and rather wait for the third leg. Either way, it means that the final leg could see an entirely different grouping of riders take on the preset track, and based on their performances at the Maple Ridge-hosted first leg earlier in the year, the outcomes could be very interesting.

-The JumpOff-

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