Show Report: Reonet World Cup Qualifier

With many disruptions to the showjumping calendar throughout 2020, many competitions fell by the wayside and were unable to be held including the World Cup Qualifier series. The last WCQ that was hosted in South Africa was the final leg of 2019 at Maple Ridge Equestrian Centre in which Chis Van Der Merwe claimed victory and the series title on Capital Chantilly.

The Launch of the 2021 series was highly anticipated and with Reonet eager to step onboard once again, the Kyalami Equestrian Park venue was adorned with the green and blue colours of the sponsor. From flags and banners to VIP tents and the vendor’s village, the Peter Minnie arena was set to standards equal to those in Europe.

Advertisement

Advertisement

With the trot up completed, the horses settled into the secure stables, and the riders prepared for the weekend ahead, the event began with the A2 competitions. The first qualifier competition for those hopeful athletes intent on competing in the final competition was set at a height of 1.40m. The tracks designed by Anne-Marie Esslinger ensured that the best combinations on the day would take the victory by carefully navigating the tracks clear without incurring time faults.

31 combinations stepped into the arena exuding confidence. While several combinations have become seasoned 1.50m campaigners over the last few months, this WCQ marked the first time these 9 combinations rose to the occasion for the FEI series: Jeanne Korber and Callaho Lexington, Govett Triggol on Aisling Triggol’s Kadice van de Pitsemburg, Lara Neill and Ultimo WC, Kayla Gertenbach and Like Mike van Pela Graca, Dominey Alexander and RNR Jelle S, Hanelize Kamffer and White Waters on Time, Chris van der Merwe and Quidchin Bellignies Z, Jenna Barrow and Liberty Figo H.E, and Lorette Knowles-Taylor and Amor Warande Z.

While the 1.40m competition was a proverbial walk in the park for many competitors, the class was filled with great pace, tight turns, and a hunger for victory. With 12 prizes on offer as per the regulations set out by the FEI, an added incentive was provided to riders to put their best foot forward. With the conclusion of the competition, 12 riders provided a clear jumping round but only 7 successfully navigated the course without incurring time-faults either. Taking top honours was Lisa Williams and Campbell with a superb time of 73.02 seconds which claiming the 2nd place podium was Jonathan Clarke and the Data Science’s-sponsored Hummer van het Bevrijdthof. The 3rd podium position was claimed by the newly-returned Ashlee Healy and her stunning stallion, Eldo.

The second competition in the series was the 1.45m 2-Phase class which was due to take place on Friday but due to the inclement weather and the rain-soaked warm-up arenas, the competition was postponed to Saturday morning. The delayed competition, however, did not negatively impact the athletes as 27 combinations returned for the next step of the WCQ journey.

A step up in technicality and a tight time allowed due to the 375mpm pace saw only 9 combinations conclude their rounds with zero penalties and that enabled the top 3 podiums to change hands. After a fantastic display of showjumping, Grant Langely and his homebred gelding, Foresyte Bengston secured the victory with a time of 48.76 seconds while in second place was Chris van der Merwe and his new top-level partner Quidchin Bellignies Z with a time of 48,96 seconds. Rounding out the top three places were Jeanne Korber and her Style Fragrance’s-sponsored gelding, Callaho Lexington, with a time of 49.30 seconds.

With the 2 warm-up, qualifying, classes completed, the drawn order for the World Cup Qualifier competition was done and the athletes had their starting order. With 24 combinations stepping forward for the final day of competition, the class ahead of them saw the athletes take on the 2 rounds of jumping. With the pressure of the daunting track set before them, the live-streaming, and the nerves that were no doubt present, 4 combinations were unable to complete the first round. 

Advertisement

Advertisement

But, with the competition rules stating that the top 25% would proceed to the second round or, all of the clears, the first round concluded with 5 athletes producing a clear round, Nicole Horwood with both Chantilly and Hitoshi, Anya Moller with Alzu Lombard, Govett Triggol with Wolke 334, and Lisa Williams with Cambell. Securing the final 2 available places with just 4 penalties each were Chris van der Merwe with Domino van der Boswinnig and Jonathan Clarke with Hummer van het Bevrijdthof.

The riders returned to the arena in reverse order of penalties and time which saw Jonathan Clarke enter the arena first with Hummer van het Bevrijdthof. As the pair set off for their round, a further 2 rails fell resulting in a total of 12 penalties in a time of 42.97 seconds. Stepping in next was Chris van der Merwe with Domino. Carrying 4 penalties from the first round, Chris understood that his only chance at a podium was to provide a clear round and as the pair made their way around the track, they managed to do exactly that leaving them on a total of 4 penalties in a time of 45.69 seconds and into the lead at that early stage.

With the remaining 5 competitors all moving into the second round with zero penalties, the chances of Chris securing a podium were low, but, with the sport of showjumping as unpredictable as it is, he would have to remain on the sidelines and wait.

Nicole Horwood followed next on Chantilly but with 2 rails falling, the pair concluded their competition with a total of 8 penalties in a time of 47.53 seconds. A brief wait for Nicole to hop onto her second ride, Hitoshi, due to the impossibility of riding out of order, saw the arena empty for 5 minutes but as Nicole returned, the afternoon continued. The pair struck up a strong canter but were unable to better the score of Chantilly and left the arena with a total score of 8 penalties in a marginally quicker time of 46.29 seconds. 

Anya Moller was next into the arena but was unable to secure a 2nd clear round as she concluded her round with 5 penalties in a time of 52.81 seconds. At this stage of the competition, with only 2 competitors remaining, Chris sat on the sidelines knowing that he had secured a podium position. 

As Lisa Williams Stepped into the arena, the excitement started to build amongst the onlookers but with an unfortunate turn of events, a short turn into a very large oxer saw Cambell give his all. But, unable to reach the back rail, Campbell stumbled upon landing and dislodged Lisa from the saddle. An unexpected occurrence that saw Lisa and Cambell eliminated from the competition.

With one final competitor left to ride, Govett Triggol and his wonder mare Wolke 334, the onlookers were placing their silent bets. They started off at a great pace, clearing fence 1, clearing fence 2, leaving spectators with baited breathe. As the pair rode to fence number 6, the rail took a slow fall putting Govett in a position to make a quick decision: go flat out to try to secure the time? Or, maintain pace and avoid a second rail falling?

Being the final competition with nothing left to lose, Govett put his foot down and pushed for the next level of speed from Wolke 334 who willingly obliged. As the pair raced through the final 2 fences, and over the last oxer, they crossed the finish beams in a time of 44.56 seconds to put them into the lead and make them the winners of the first World Cup Qualifier of 2021.

As the man behind the Reonet sponsorship, Govett’s victory was well earned and well deserved and the crowds applauded as he cantered around the arena saluting the spectators who were thrilled for him. An incredible end to a successful competition and a fitting victory for Govett who puts so much back into the development and growth of our sport.

Congratulations to all the competitors and best of luck for the second leg of the WCQ series at Stokkiesdraai Equestrian Centre at the end of May.

-The JumpOff-

Advertisement