Adventure News: SPONSORS COME TO THE FORE IN EQUESTRIAN SHOW JUMPING

Adventure News: SPONSORS COME TO THE FORE IN EQUESTRIAN SHOW JUMPING - Ndorfin, South Africa

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Monday, 25 June 2012
SPONSORS COME TO THE FORE IN EQUESTRIAN SHOW JUMPING

(Jodi Pieters - Winner of FEI World Cup Qualifier)
(Photo by Kelly Bruce)

The resounding success of the Nissan Winter Classic that ran from the 16th -19th of June at the Durban Shongweni Club, bears testament to the explosive direction the sport of show jumping is taking throughout South Africa.

Leading motor company, Nissan South Africa and its longstanding partnership with the equestrian sport gave a whole new meaning to �horsepower� at this four-day event. With a stellar line-up of South Africa�s top show jumpers and renowned German course designer, Andreas Hollman, spectators had the opportunity to watch exhilarating sport whilst experiencing their own thrills at Nissan�s test-drive station.

�Our involvement in the Equestrian sport started a number of years ago, with an objective to expand our brand�s exposure across the country. Our goal with the Nissan Winter Classic was to create an event that transcends an ordinary outing, turning it into an extraordinary experience for the whole family. The turnout to this show went above and beyond what we anticipated�, commented Managing Director at Nissan South Africa, Mike Whitfield.

The Nissan Winter Classic incorporated a number of sponsored classes culminating in the showpiece event, the Nissan FEI World Cup Qualifier that took place on Sunday.

Sponsored classes included the BoE Private Clients 1.40m Championship, which was won by Gauteng rider, Jeanne Engela; The Santam 1.30m Championship, won by Ashlee Hausberger (Gauteng); and the Capital Stud Mini Grand Prix 1.35m, which was won by Zdenek Muchna (Gauteng) in the adult division and Laurence Mowatt (Gauteng) in the junior division.

However, it was current SA Show Jumping Champion, Jodi Pieters (KZN), who brought the crowd to its feet by winning the Nissan FEI 1.50m World Cup Qualifier Class (the second leg of the World Cup Qualifier Series) on her home turf.

Breeder and generous sponsor of show jumping, Henning Pretorius of Capital Stud delighted in Pieters win as she rode to victory on the Capital Stud warmblood, Capital Rafika D�Or � a sensational achievement for breeders involved in sport at this level.

Pretorius has injected tremendous �horsepower� into the sport and continues to play a huge role in cultivating the quality of our horses in South Africa.

With South African show jumping rising to new heights, sponsors can reap the benefits by backing a discipline that is home to a huge new spectator market.

�Committing to a long-term sponsorship and implementing a long-term strategy has worked for our brand and is something I would advocate to potential sponsors. By investing in this sport, we have invested in Nissan South Africa�, concluded Whitfield.

The Equestrian athletes will be heading to the Durban Cycling stadium on the 20th June- 24th of June for the 3rd leg of the World Cup Qualifier series. Don�t miss out on superb entertainment for the whole family!

Nissan Winter Classic 2012 Results

Nissan FEI World Cup Qualifier 1.50m
1. Jodi Pieters
2. Michelle Hobbs
3. Shaun Neil

BoE Private Client�s 1.40m Championship
1. Jeanne Engela
2. Kylie Pettit
3. Sonia Kroon

Santam Championship 1.30m
1. Ashlee Hausberger
2. Celia Lecomberri
3. Heather Robertson

Capital Stud Mini Grand Prix 1.35m
1. Zdenek Muchna
2. Shaun Neil
3. Johan Kachelhoffer

Capital Stud Junior Mini Grand Prix 1.35m
1. Lawrence Mowatt
2. Kerry Muir

This event was sponsored by Nissan, Santam, BoE Private Clients, Pharos, Cipla Vet and Epol.

Event Details:
The City of Durban Sunshine Tour
Date: 20 June � Sunday 24 June
Venue: Durban Cycling Stadium