10th Annual Saddleworld Australian Youth Showjumping Festival

ESP Equestrian Sports Promotions Pty Ltd, Jane Frankum & John Vallance presented the 10th Annual Saddleworld Australian Youth Showjumping Festival from Saturday 29 September to Monday 1 October 2012 at Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park.

The show incorporated the FEI International Children’s Jumping Competition, Australian Qualifiers.

Saddleworld have been major sponsors of the Youth Festival from the inception of the event in 2002. Their generous sponsorship includes prizemoney, rugs for the Grand Prix events, vouchers as prizes in a large number of classes and stable plaques for all competitors at the Youth Festival.

ENSW are also great supporters of the youth in equestrian sport and once again sponsored the Youth Showjumping Festival. Also sponsoring were HorsePower, You Tarzan and Furdography.

Jessica Tripp from Duffys Forest NSW and Lovegrove won the FEI Children’s Gold Tour over a course designed by Australia's own John Vallance. The same course will be used in the FEI Children's Gold Tour Competitions all around the globe. Jess is hoping to travel to Mexico to compete in the finals.

Stephanie Cook from Cairns, QLD won the FEI Silver Tour with Jack is Back with just 4 penalties over the four rounds.

Jessie Rice-Ward and Gypsie Queen were the overall winners of the FEI Bronze Tour with zero penalties over the four rounds.

"We are impressed by the quality of riding in all the levels. The friendship and competitiveness between the junior riders makes for a great competition," said organiser and Course Designer John Vallance

A highlight of the program was the Top Horse Pony Jumper Grand Prix held in the Saddleworld Arena where five of the cutest little ponies jumped a track that was relative height to a World Cup (well maybe)! A beaming Saskia Brown won the Pony GP on Alabama Rose with the super cute Alex Ryan placing second and third with his team of jumping ponies.

The Junior Grand Prix had just 5 rider through to the second round. Jessica Knox won the class on Yirrkala El Rado ahead of Jamie Priestly on KS Optimus and Jessica Tripp on SL Eclipse.

The Young Rider Grand Prix again only had 5 riders through into the second round. This time James Arkins on his super trusty Dreamtime Invader won the class ahead of Milly Clarke on Connolys Eclipse and Clare Anderson on Brekko.

The Novice Young Rider Grand Prix featuring the Magaret Brown Memorial Trophy was won by Steph Mackillop and TM Ultimate Frisbee.

Story & photo: Rachel Smith www.furdography.com.au

Quick Links

• Full results for all classes will be posted ASAP! Please visit www.jumpingnsw.equestrian.org.au
• View Furdography photos in the Horsezone Photo Gallery
• For more photos visit www.furdography.com.au
• See showjumpers for sale on Horsezone