National Young Rider Selection Series update

Since my last report our Young Riders have been slugging it out across the country. The series of performances has proven the strength of combinations at this level. The standard of competition has allowed course builders to present challenging tracks throughout. National Selector and highly rated course builder Graham Watts has been a regular at the Young Rider events. Graham noted “the depth of Young Rider combinations is as good as I can recall at any time in this country, it holds strong promise for the future.”  The competition may have peaked at the Australian Show Jumping Championships which saw a scintillating competition on the Sunday setting a stunning standard. The Young rider class numbers were as strong as they have been for many years at the national championship.

If your name is on the leaderboard, a congratulation is in order. An even bigger congratulation should be given to the riders with a 7 next to their name.

Since we last reported the highly competitive combination of Matilda Alexander and Dreamtime Invader took the points at Border Districts Show, overcoming Jacob Wells, stalwart of the Victorian scene.

At the NSW State Championships, Madeline Sinderberry provided the crowd with a compelling display of riding across the entire weekend and claimed victory on the Sunday. Delightful to see the crowd favourite combination of Coco Dulhunty and her beautiful Wallaroo Carnival pushing Madeline to the finish line.

At Adelaide Royal, Erin Buswell, enjoyed victory aboard Quero Quero. Felicity Atkinson held on to a top ten leader board position with a solid result. Jasmine Dawe was also again amongst the points.

The young riders then descended upon Werribee for the Australian National Championship. Conditions were unkind but the jumping on the Sunday was of a great quality on superb tracks presented by leading course builder David Sheppard. Visitors to Werribee marvelled at the quality of combinations that presented themselves for the final day of competition. Madeline Sinderberry on her sensational mount Fernhill Zinzan prevailed on the day. It was a wonderful win that forms part of a stunningly consistent run of faultless jumping from the pair. Savanna Hopkinson on her beautiful mare Diamont was a close second, getting her name on the leader board.

On the eve of the Young Rider competition at the Australian Championships, Gavin Chester (Australian National Jumping Chairman) presented the current Young Rider squad with their Ariat vests in recognition of their squad inclusion. The organisers were delighted to host the young riders and appreciative of the feedback and enthusiasm of the riders. [The few squad members not in attendance on the night and looking for their vests should contact Mark Hopkinson.]

Congratulations to Georgie Siciliano and Sovereigns Charlize at Perth Royal getting home ahead of Sophie Ahmat (who is looking for her YR vest!).

On the polo fields of Richmond NSW at the stylish and challenging Showcase of Showjumping, Madeline Sinderberry continued her run of stunning performances. Well done! Another Congratulations should be given to the  gentleman of the Young Rider class, Riley McKillop, who finished second at Showcase of Showjumping. Also to Jamie Priestley who has been extremely competitive throughout 2016 but whose place on the leader board does not do her justice.

At Mount Gambier, a stunning result came from Jessica Kent and the extremely handsome Belcam Chancellor who set the standard for the event. The second and third spots also filled by Mt Gambier Mafia Kate Crauford and Brianna Devine were great to see. 

National Young Rider Selection Series Page