Ally Lamb and Cera Ducati continue their top form

Ally Lamb and Cera Ducati win the Strathmerton Engineering Future Stars

Ally Lamb and Cera Ducati continue their top form at GDP Classic

By Equestrian Life

An event run “by the riders for the riders”, the GDP Classic (15-18 February) has drawn a star-studded show jumping line-up to Victoria, with Saturday seeing plenty of action across Boneo Park.

New combination Ally Lamb and Cera Ducati (by Diamant de Semmily) followed up their recent win in the Future Stars 130 – 135cm at World Wetlands Championships with another win today, in what was described as the strongest futurity class in Australia. The last combination to go, Ally and Cera Ducati had the crowd on the edge of their seats as they secured a time of 42.51 in the Strathmerton Engineering Future Stars, to best Jennifer Wood and Oaks 007 who posted 43.17.

GDP’s very own Brook Dobbin won the Yandoo Park Rising Stars final on Oaks Empire (Emerald X Kannan), securing a time of 39.74. Gabrielle Kelly and Californium (Calavino x Holster Hi Shadow) were second on 39.79, with Jamie Hewitt-Toms and Balou du Rose were 3rd on 40.21.

Brook Dobbin won the Yandoo Park Rising Stars final on Oaks Empire (Emerald X Kannan)

The first event in the Stal Tops Young Rider Series saw experienced combination Lorna Reilly and Bellhaven Jazz take the win by over 4 seconds, finishing on 42.28. Supported by Australian rider Edwina Tops-Alexander and her husband Jan Tops, the Stal Tops Young Rider Series is now in its sixth season. Showcasing four events scheduled over the year, Young Rider’s score points at each leg, with the highest scoring combination being crowned the series winner.

Catching up with Lorna, she had nothing but praise for Bellhaven Jazz “She’s just an incredible mare”. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to do some of the tight lines I was thinking, but I just scoped it out and thought in the moment.. which worked out well!”

Lorna Reilly and Bellhaven Jazz won the first leg of the Stal Tops young Rider Series

Harrison Wessel and Oaks Cosmo won the Childrens 105cm, with the class proving to be incredibly tight at the top. Second place went to Velentina Hercus and RBH Chaccarla with Harry Gault and Emcee Holly Golightly closing out the top three.

An event like no other

Jamie Winning-Kermond of Yandoo Park was quick to praise the event as “one of the best in Australia”, and tomorrow is set to be no less than one of the strongest Australian showjumping displays.

With the $59,000 Grand Prix set to start at 11.30am, the whole event will pause to allow all competitors and spectators to enjoy the class. Be sure to tune in to Equestrian Life’s livestream to catch all of Arena Ones action.