Local show jumper Billy Raymont has been selected for the Australian Equestrian Team to compete in the Federation Equestrian Internationale (FEI) World Showjumping Championships in Herning, Denmark, to he held over 6-14 August, riding Black Jack IXE. The other team members are Hilary Scott on Oaks Milky Way, James Arkins on Eurostar 1, and Katie Laurie on Django 2.
Billy, and his wife Tess, took three horses to Europe in May, to give the horses international experience, and to prepare for this competition.
A last minute inclusion in the team was the chestnut warmblood Caprino, and Billy has already had success competing him, in Speed Classes, in Belgium. He is a very energetic horse that was pig rooting between jumps, but is settling down as he gains more valuable experience.
Tess has also been in the money competing her grey warmblood Alwynds Valero.
The horse that has been selected to represent Australia in August is the stunning black warmblood stallion Black Jack IXE.
Having already won a World Cup Qualifier in Australia before leaving for Europe this year, this is a horse with enormous potential.
Billy has been producing this horse with carefully selected competitions in large international fields of riders, in both Belgium and Holland. They have already been placed in very competitive events, against dozens of top horses.
Billy previously represented Australia at the World Equestrian Games in North Carolina, in 2018. He did well in the individual competition, and the Australian Showjumping Team came sixth in the world, the best showjumping result that Australia has ever achieved in a Games, Olympic or Equestrian.
Billy, Tess and their horses are based in Weert, south west Holland, close to both the German and Belgian borders, with their coach Yves Houtackers.
Campaigning horses in Europe is a very expensive exercise, so Billy is looking for commercial sponsors to support this Australian international sporting effort.
