Camden Winter Showjumping Festival

3 massive days across three rings with 278 riders, 440 horses and 1651 rounds of showjumping - the Camden Winter Show Jumping Festival, an Equestrian Sport Promotions event, is well and truly entrenched on the Australian Show Jumping Calendar!

The Camden Winter Jumping Festival is primarily aimed at amatuer riders and the great comraderie amongst them made organiser Jane Frankum smile. "The amateurs are so repsectful of the officials, they are here to enjoy themselves but they are also highly competitive. The show is widely supported by the big names of Australian jumping with many of the top coaches and riders ring side supporting their clients. The star studded supporters walking the Amatuer Category A class on Sunday included Vicki Roycroft, George Sanna, Colleen Brook, Shelly Kelly, Greg McDermott, Marie Clarke, Chris Chugg and Jame Mooney, all regulars at the World Cup level, many of whom have represented Australia on the international level. The atmosphere is so supportive, we really love putting on this show."

Amatuer riders from around Australia and the Pacific converged on the lovely grounds at Camden to try their luck in a range of classes including the FEI World Amateur Category A, B and C qualifiers, the Youth Olympic Qualifier and the Young Horse Events. These events provide Australian riders with the opportunity to qualify for World rankings in each event, with the option for some to travel over seas to represent Australia.

Day one of the renowned ESP show kicked off with perfect show jumping weather, not hot, not cold, not wet, not windy. Tim Dreverman's second ride in the FEI World Jumping Challenge sponsored by O'Brien Aluminium, Retro Creek, won the class but his nominated FEI horse, Retro Grooving, was 5th putting him in 3rd overall. Rebecca Stephens on Sailor Vie was second in the class, putting them into first in the Cat B standings. Sarah Dreverman on SM Flass was 3rd in the class and Lee Warneke on Strawberry Girl was 4th. Category B riders returned to the main arena on Sunday for rounds three and four of the challenge. Sarah Dreverman and the stunning Emmaville Mosaic posted a double clear to win the class but Lee Warneke's consistency over all four rounds saw her win the FEI Cateogory B champion with Strawberry Girl. Belinda Torrens and JB Audi were the runners up.

The FEI Category A Class, sponsored by The Galloping Groom made it through round 1 before low light stopped the comeptition. Riders returned to the main arena at first light on Sunday to complete the first section of the event. Emily Longhurst, who won the recent Australian Amatuer Title, won the class with a double clear on Rhapsody in Blue. Later on Sunday the Category A riders returned to the ring for rounds 3 and 4 of the World challenge. Australia's own John Vallance is the FEI Category A designer for 2013 with this same course being built all around the world for amateurs to qualify for the world finals. Ben Blay, in his first year out of the Young Rider section, won Sunday's Category A class with no jumping penalties on Bazza Gold. The overall winner over the four rounds was Clare Watkinson and The Love Bug with Jade Middleton and Evenescence the runner up.

The future or Australian and Asia Pacific show jumping is looking promising with all 16 of the young competitors riding for their Certificate of Capability qualifying them for selection on their country's teams. 14 Australian juniors and 2 riders from nearby Asian nations completed the tough courses set by John Valance with skill and determination. With two more qualifiers being held around Australia in 2013, the National selectors will have plenty of talent to select from for the Youth Olympics being held in China in 2014.

Day three of the Camden Winter Show Jumping Festival was Grand Prix day across all the rings. The feature class in ring one was the Jumping NSW Amateur of the Year Series Class, a two round Grand Prix sponsored by CK Equestrian. Fifty amateur riders entered the arena in round 1 with just four clears progressing through to the second phase. First clear was Rebecca Nicholls with the lovely young Conquistador mare Caliente. Next through into the second round was Jade Middleton riding Evanesence followed by Ella Avery on Yalambi Ultima V and Melissa Blair with Flying Teddy. The girls were fiercely competitive and came out fast in the second round. Jade Middleton and Evenescence were the fastest clear to take the rug and the points in the Jumping NSW Series.

The weekend ended with miserable weather, but there were still shining smiles from all involved after yet another successful and fun weekend. Sponsor Steve Spencer from Saddleworld Mittagong was thrilled to be able to present the winners from the final classes despite being a bit bedraggled.

"It gives me a chance to show off the great dry-as-a-bone coats we have for sale. I can't wait to come back again in September for the Youth show, maybe it won't rain this time, but if it does I'll have plenty of rain jackets for sale on site." Steve said as he shook hands with the winner of the Amateur Categor B Grand Prix, Zach Maher riding Prohibition.

Other winners (Full results to come)

Bruce Flood Catering 1.10m Saturday James Arkins and Dreamtime Hunter

TopHorse 1.10m Sunday Jessica Langley and Cabezo

Bruce Flood Catering 1.10m Monday Grace Long and Trevors Choice

MJM 1.10m Grand Prix Monday Tom McDermott and Fernhill Zin Zan

Equissentials 1m Saturday Steph McKillop and Cojay

Equissentials 1m Sunday Nathan Williams and Quarterback

Equissentials 1m Monday Tony Priestly and Daibyn Fairings Kiss

Gaynors Hair Design and Fine Equine Design 1m Grand Prix Monday Sammi Mainwaring JB Little Gun

Eqissentials and Fine Equine Design Category C Saturday Emma Hughes and Emmaville DJ

CK Equestrian Category B second division Saturday Clare Watkinson and Love Chocolate

Eqissentials Category C Sunday Elizabeth Perucich and KL How High Harry

Equissentials Category C Grand Prix Monday Helene Kearley and Weiti Out of the Blue

CK Equestrian Category B second division Sunday Melissa Blair and Miss Money Penny

Europa Saddlery Berry 4 Year Old Sara Crosser and Richocette

Europa Saddlery Berry 5 Year Old Grace Long and St Andrews Shiraz

Europa Saddlery Berry 6 Year Old Aaron Hadlow and Foxground Kathago

Bruce Flood Catering 1.20m Saturday James Arkins and Wondaree Dreamtime

Bruce Flood Catering 1.20m Sunday Jess Stalling and RS Crescendo

Mittgong Saddleworld 1.20m Grand Prix Kirrily Mann & Yandoo Aphrodite

Horsepower 75cm Saturday Rebecca Shelton and Ruby Reeves

Horsepower 90cm Saturday Laura Harland and Red Rock Pippa

Horsepower 75cm Sunday Rebecca Shelton and Ruby Reeves

Horsepower 90cm Sunday Laura Harland and Red Rock Pippa

Horse Power 75cm Grand Prix Monday Katie England and Danny

Horse Power 90cm Grand Prix Monday Tarry Innes and Sam

Horse Power 80cm Monday Katie England and Danny

By: Rachel Smith/Furdography

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