By Joy Ringrose
Cooran’s Billy Raymont is now ranked as Australia’s number one onshore showjumping rider by the Federation Equestrian International after a very successful ’20-’21 season.
More important to Billy is his newly changed marital status. Last Friday Billy, and fellow World Cup show jumper Tess Cook tied the knot at a relaxed celebration at Hidden Cove, near Noosa Woods.
This was followed by five hours of merry-making that included witty speeches, concentrated cake cutting, great eats, drinks and a lot of vigorous, enthusiastic dancing, cruising the Noosa Sound on the Catalina.
The many Cooks and the Raymonts were joined by friends, and a host of show jumpers, mostly from Queensland and Victoria, in this joyous evening of celebration.
The newly-weds will continue living on their property in Cooran with frequent competition and coaching trips to southern states.
Both Billy and Tess have several new and exciting showjumping horses they are already competing at a high level. You can see them in action this weekend at the Sunshine Coast Equestrian Club’s July show. It will be held at Nambour Showgrounds over the three days of the 23, 24 and 25 July. The main events will be held on the grass of the showgrounds with smaller classes in the nearby indoor arena.
Highlights of the show include the Saturday’s 1.20m championship, starting in the middle of the day, which will be followed by the junior championship, featuring the SCSJ club’s large pool of up and coming young talent.
The main event of the show will be Sunday’s grand prix which will feature some of the best showjumping riders and horses in the nation. Over a long European-style course, it will challenge horses to really open up and cover the ground at high speeds.
All available stables and yards have now been fully booked as more than 300 horses and riders will be coming to compete.
This show is free and open to public spectators.
