Adventure News: City of Durban hosts SA Show Jumping Champs

Adventure News: City of Durban hosts SA Show Jumping Champs - Ndorfin, South Africa

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Tuesday, 07 August 2012
City of Durban hosts SA Show Jumping Champs

Shaun Neill in Action (Photo: Tamara & Blake Images)

This past week the City of Durban hosted the Sunshine Tour which included the prestigious Show Jumping Championships of South Africa.

After winning the Grand Prix on Friday, Gauteng rider Shaun Neill claimed his second big victory on the Sunshine Tour by winning the South African Championships on his horse, Clyde Z.

Held at the Cyril Geoghegan Cycling Stadium, the show ran from the 1st to 5th of August and saw South Africas top equestrian athletes competing over a range of tracks built by German course designer, Andreas Hollmann.

Despite being considered an individual sport where horse and rider compete as one entity, every win is the result of a team of people who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make each achievement possible.

To acknowledge these individuals, CK Aerial Surveys (CKAS) kick-started a fantastic initiative by sponsoring a well-attended soccer match for Show Jumpings hard-working grooms who form an integral part of this network.

In a reversal of roles, it was the riders turn to sit on the outskirts of the ring and cheer their grooms on in a game displaying wonderful camaraderie.

We love working with horses and with our riders and it was nice to have the riders support and acknowledge the hard-work we put in commented team captain of the winning team, Emos.

Leading up to the Championship, the riders had to complete two qualifying rounds to secure a place in the main class and make them eligible for the South African Champion title.

Fridays Grand Prix results saw Shaun Neill take first place on his horse Clyde Z, 2nd went to Anne-Marie Esslinger on CHM Carshop Allessio and placing 3rd was Lorette Knowles-Taylor on Nissan Watch Me.

After the points were tallied, 22 starters headed into the South African Championships on Sunday with a strong field of competitors ensuring it was not going to be an easy ride to the podium.

Mirroring the Grand Prix results, Neill set the winning time earning him the title of South African Champion, with Esslinger hot on his tail and taking second spot.

Riding into third place was recent World Cup Qualifier winner, Jeanne Engela on her horse Cloof Wine's Chanel and the fourth-placed trio was Barry Taylor on Nissan Nabab Forever, Nicole Horwood on Capital Don Cumarco and Jodi Pieters on Capital Rafika D'Or.

The City of Durban hosted a spectacular show for competitors and spectators alike and plans are already in motion to make next years tour even bigger and better!

This show was sponsored by: City Of Durban; Martin Collins South Africa; Reonet; CK Aerial Surveys; Jeep Apparel; EPOL (Pty) Ltd; STIHL; Gold Circle; Wrangler; Capital Stud; Equestrian Affair; Equipage Insurance Brokers; Equiproducts; Bakers Biscuits; Super Clean; Western Shoppe; Pep Stores; Shaving Supply; ESP; Splashes Glenashley; Avontuur Estates

Results:

1.50 South African Championship:
1st- Shaun Neill on Clyde Z
2nd- Anne-Marie Esslinger on CHM Carshop Allesio
3rd - Jeanne Engela on Cloof Wine's Chanel

1.40 Championship:
1st- Govett Triggel on Louisa
2nd- Gareth Neill on Dolce Vita
3rd- Nicole Horwood on Capital Colnardo

1.35 Championship:
1st - Anne Marie Esslinger on Cavalinho Alzu Oregon
2nd - Gareth Neill on Bariton P
3rd - Shaun Neill on Camaro van der Bisschop

1.30 Championship:
1st- Carla Garton on Branderburg Leonardo Da Vinci
2nd- Grant Langley on Foresyte Lois Lane
3rd - Martin Minett on Equifeeds Pinecreek Banus

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Top SA Show Jumpers (Photo: Tamara & Blake Images)