Athanasoff wins the 2011 Australian Jumping Championships

Paul Athanasoff was thrilled to win the Australian Senior Title at the Australian Jumping Championships (photo: Jenny Sheppard/EA).

43-year-old Paul Athanasoff of Dungog, NSW, rode two sensational clear rounds on Wirragulla Nicklaus on Sunday to take out the Breeders’ Plate National Title ahead of 21 competitors at the 2011 Australian Jumping Championships.

“He was great all show,” said Athanasoff, “I am thrilled with him and the result.”

It was a triumphant return to competition for the 14-year-old stallion Wirragulla Nicklaus (by Falkrich) which had been sidelined from injury since early 2011. 

The pair campaigned in Europe in 2010 and gained valuable international experience. Jumping National Performance Director Stephen Lamb commented on the performance. “They won convincingly and looked sensational jumping a double clear in Sunday’s Grand Prix. It is great to have this pair back on the circuit,” he said.

450 horses and 240 riders competed in 2030 classes over the four days of competition at the Dubbo Showground.

“The show ran very well,” commented Event Director Edwena Mitchell. “The surface was a little disappointing as it was too hard at the start of the show that is something that needs to be addressed. Some overnight rain helped the going.  Otherwise the facilities were fabulous and for our first time hosting the championships we were very pleased.”

The Australian Junior title was won Tom McDermott of Wagga Wagga, NSW.  This is McDermott’s fourth consecutive junior title. 18-year-old McDermott, a recent winner of the Adelaide World Cup qualifier, will again be competing against Australia’s best senior riders at the Equestrian Grand Final to be held at EQUITANA, Sydney, 10-13 November.

Evie Buller from Darkan, WA won the Australian Young Rider title, while Olivia Hamood won the Young Rider Final.

Buller who finished her HSC last year has been based in NSW since April competing at shows across the eastern seaboard. Buller, who plans to make her World Cup debut in 2012, says the Championships were a great event. “It was a great atmosphere and well run. The event organisers were very supportive and helpful,” she said.

Congratulations to all Young Riders who competed, it was a very high standard of competition.

The Australian Jumping coach Gilbert Böckmann commented on the ‘improvement in standard of young riders and juniors’, indicating the positive development of the sport in Australia.

Following the championships a squad training clinic will be held with Böckmann for National Squad Jumping and Eventing riders. This is to be held from Thursday to Sunday this week in Sydney

Quick Links

• RESULTS
• Read Horsezone's lead up article for the Australian Jumping Championships, which includes links to Five Minutes with articles on young riders Tom McDermott and Olivia Hamood.

 

Story: Equestrian Australia