Maddison Stephen and partner David Goodwin placed 1st and 2nd in the Bronze Qualifier 1!
© Suzannah Willis
By Suzannah Willis
Since last Sunday, the jumping at Aquis Champions Tour has continued. With the sun still shining and despite the massive numbers of horses across each ring the ground has continued to be pristine. First up were the young horse classes starting on Tuesday. Just like the other classes, the young horse competitions attracted many and tested out the most inexperienced horses at the show.
Elysian Fields once again looking fabulous!
© Suzannah Willis
The four-year-old class attracted 25 horses and tested the horses over a 90cm track on the first day and during the final. Unlike the other classes, the prizemoney pool was shared by all double clears; this is because it is generally not expected that four-year-old horses will be raced against the clock. On Wednesday, five horses shared the prize pool and the riders included Anthony Murray, Tom McDermott, Billy Raymont, Alison Olstenfeld and Brooke Langbecker.
Following on, the five-year-old class asked some questions of the young horses with the first class set at 110cm and the second at 115cm. Maddison Stephen continued her great form from last week and took out the Final on Yalambi’s Ikon and placed third on Oaks Conjurer. Kirstie Ansell and Vakkara Champagne placed second to separate Stephen’s rides.
Maddison Stephen continued her great form from last week and took out the 5 YO Final on Yalambi’s Ikon.
© Suzannah Willis
The six-year-old horses were set a real task, with the first class set at 120cm and in the second ring, whilst the final was held in the daunting main ring, set at 125cm and included many lines, a tight time and the $100 bill wall. For the jump off of the final, 14 went through and a fast pace was set to the win class. In the end, New Zealander Katie Laurie and Champagne NZPH took out the win, followed by David Goodwin and Noblewood Park November Rain and then young-rider Jamie Priestly and Oaks Dimantina in third.
Whilst Wednesday held all of the young horse finals, the first of the Tour classes also began with a Young Rider class in the morning, and the first qualifier for the Silver Tour in the afternoon. There were 19 combinations through to the jump off for the First Silver Qualifier, with New Zealander Tom Tarver and Popeye taking out the win in 42.43, Tom McDermott and Elegance De La Charmille were half a second behind him, followed by show-organiser Peter McMahon.
Thursday was a major day for most competitors, and whilst there were only two rings going nearly all of the tours had a class. The Fiber Fresh Arena (Arena 2) held the first Progressive Rider Qualifier, followed by the Rising Stars. The Rising Stars is a two-class series for horses less than 9 years old with the first class being 1.15 – 120cm and the final being held on Saturday and set at 120-125cm. Unlike the other classes, the 94 riders who competed in the first class do not need to qualify for the final.
Winners are grinners!
© Suzannah Willis
In the Greg Grant Saddlery Arena (Arena 1), the first Gold Qualifier was held as the first class of the day. The two-phase was set at 1.45cm and saw about half go through to the second phase. The win went to Chris Chugg and Dito, with Amber Fuller and CP Aretino in second and young-rider Kate Hinschen and Finch Farm Cadel in third.
Next the First Bronze Qualifier started with just under 70 starters, and was a jump off class (AM5). There were 15 horses through to the jump off, however Maddison Stephen and Yalambi’s Grazi took out on the win to follow up their big Future Stars win last weekend
The final class on Thursday was the Young-Rider Second Qualifier which also involved the Jumping QLD Teams Challenge. Amelia Douglass and the imported Sirius Du Granit won, followed by Erin Buswell and Quero Quero and Jessie Rice-Ward taking out third. Team Australia could not be beaten in the team’s event ahead of the other young riders.
© Suzannah Willis
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