Jumping Riders Brave the Weather at Boneo Park for the Pryde’s Easifeed Australian Jumping Championships

The Victorian weather was as fierce as the competition at Boneo Park this week for the first two rounds of the Pryde’s Easifeed Australian Jumping Championships.

Riders from across the country have made the journey to the Mornington Peninsula Victoria to contest four prestigious titles over a week of competition.

The competition commenced on Wednesday with today seeing the second round of the Championship competition concluding in impressive style.

The Beaconhills College Australian Children’s Championship round two was won by Holly Tomkins riding Princess Annie with a stylish double clear over the course designed by Graeme Watts. This latest win for Holly and Princess Annie sees them on top of the Championship leaderboard, with the final round of competition taking place on Sunday.

The Pryde’s Easifeed Grass Arena, overlooked by the new Arilla Restaurant, hosted the remaining three Championship classes today. The first class to be contested was round two of the IRT Australian Young Rider Championship. The class saw 30 starters enter the arena but it was NSW rider Jessie Rice-Ward who dominated the competition earning herself both first and second place riding Cp Southern Cross and Denison Park Style, respectively, with both horses producing double clear rounds. The successful day sees Jessie in equal first place on the Championship Leaderboard with Madeline Sinderberry, riding Ciel, both riders are on a score of 63.

The Pryde’s Easifeed Australian Senior Championship drew the biggest crowds for the day as 28 riders took part in round two this afternoon with some of Australian Jumping's biggest names going head to head. 

It was the stunning grey Casebrook Lomond and Katie Laurie who emerged victorious with the only clear round in the jump off. Chris Chugg and Pss Levilensky came in second and Jamie Kermond finished in third place riding his WEG 2018 horse Yandoo Oaks Constellation.

Following round two of the competition today Tom McDermott riding Elegance De La Chamille and Jamie Kermond riding Oaks Yandoo Constellation are tied for the top spot with both riders sitting on 58 points. Chris Chugg and Pss Levilensky and Tom Mcdermott riding Alpha Activity are tied for a close second on 56 points.

Excitingly this years Pryde’s Easifeed Australian Jumping Championships offers Australian based athletes who are vying for a place on the Australian Team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games the unique opportunity to obtain their full MER (Minimum Eligibility Requirement), earning them eligibility to be considered for team selection.

Combinations that complete the first round of the Final Senior Competition on Sunday with a score of not more than eight (8) penalties will secure their qualification.

The final class in the main arena this afternoon was the Horseland Australian Junior Championships round two whereby Sally Simmonds riding Oaks Chifley emerged the victors in an exciting jump off. 

Impressively Clemency Hughes claimed both second and third place with clear rounds in the jump off riding Nicolette and Diamond B Corvina. Today’s win for Sally Simmonds also sees her topping the Junior Leaderboard on 120 points.

Riders were not only taking part in the individual competition this week but also the State Teams competition, which was decided by combining the results from today's class with yesterday’s speed class results. New South Wales proved too strong across the board winning all three divisions - Young Riders, Senior and Junior.

“The Organising Committee here at Boneo must be commended on the running of this impressive event, especially under the trying weather conditions. After round two of competition today the chase for the title of National Champion is close in all divisions which will see some exciting competition here on Sunday. I would also like to extend a big congratulations to NSW on winning all teams competitions“ said EA High Performance Jumping Manager, Todd Hinde.

The competition continues tomorrow and will conclude on Sunday, culminating with the final round for all four National titles.

Full results can be found here