By Joy Ringrose
Seventeen of the nation’s best riders took on one of the biggest showjumping courses Australia has ever seen on the weekend, with jumps at a whopping 1.65m in the Grand Prix event at Nambour Showgrounds on Sunday.
Some riders competed more than one horse, so there were 23 of the nation’s best purpose-bred, warmblood horses in this class.
Only seven horses went clear in the first round, but several others with only one knockdown, that is four faults, were also allowed to compete in the second round jump off, against the clock. Because the course was held outdoors on the showgrounds, course designer Paul Raymont was able to construct a European-style 600+m course.
Only one horse, Jane Fonda with Kilcoy’s Olivia Hamood on board, was able to go clear in both rounds, to win the event. Olivia’s other mount Knockout III had the fastest time of the first round clears, so they were the last to jump in the second round, but unfortunately they pulled a rail.
Billy Raymont’s feakishly fast mount Anton clocked in the first round at 68.57 seconds. This was nearly 10 seconds inside the next fastest time, Unfortunately he pulled a rail, so after a speedy second round he finished in second place. Billy had three horses in the competition, and one of his other mounts, the beautiful stallion Black Jack, did good times in both rounds, but pulled a rail in the second round to finish third. Black Jack is just starting to jump in top competitions, but is already getting impressive results.
Olympian Peter McMahon, on KS Sovereign’s Cadel finished fourth.
Both Olivia and Billy have competed in Europe and their experience showed in taking the top places in this keenly contested class.
