Kermond Takes Stronger Hold of Purple Armband

Jamie Kermond, the 26 year old blonde from Warrnambool in Victoria, who now lives at Ebenezer in NSW jumped two perfectly executed rounds to win the Equestrian Queensland and Millewa Lodge Jumping World Cup qualifier riding the beautiful grey flying machine Valhalla. Valhalla owned by Des Russell from Tynong North in Victoria’s Gippsland who purchased this Clinton stallion as a two year unbroken in Holland. This wonderful 9 year old has now added a Jumping World Cup qualifier to his mantle piece – asked how he feels about this lovely horse owner Des Russell said “My horse is beautifully ridden by a very, very talented young rider. I have had horses for 40 years he is the nicest horse I have ever put a bridle on, he never fights me or the rider. His temperament is unquestionable everyone loves him”.  

The capacity crowd roared as each rider jumped the 750 meter course of 16 jumping efforts set by International course designer Leeson Sirett from Colbinabbin in Victoria.   Sirett set a strong 1.50m to 1.60m course using the full arena, the fences optically big due to the solid board infill’s making each fence look and jump bigger. Although not technical, the long track and the effect of the lights onto the big shinny solid board infills meant there were plenty of penalties.

Kermond wining with a time penalty in each round, the runner up was Chris Chugg from Glossodia who jumping a sensational clear first round and added 3 time penalties in the second riding the 8 year old mare Diamond B Vigo. Third was the inform Brisbane Royal rider Kristy Bruhn from Mt Gambier who from first in the draw jumping clear riding Harbarty, a rail down at the 1.60m vertical and a slick time left her with 4 penalties in 61.58 seconds. Kristy was also fifth riding Belcam Cosmic and is in an unbeatable position for the leading jumping rider of the 2011 Brisbane Royal Show placing 1^st and 2^nd in three classes so far.

Fourth went to 19 year old Olivia Hamood from Kilcoy just North of Brisbane riding the tall grey GHP Nero with just the last, a 1.50m square spread, down in the first round and then jumped one of only two penalty free rounds in the second round in 64.13 seconds. Olivia putting her hand up as a young rider to watch, her cool accurate riding under pressure a pleasure to watch.

Kathy Graham from Helidon in Queensland finished 6^th riding her gelding Davincis Pride, adding on the six stride line to fence 6 the 1.55m spread fence saw a refusal and rebuild. Cathy finishing on 7 penalties in round one followed by a foot perfect round two in 65.84 seconds and clear.

21 year old Danielle Butcher from Pheasants Nest South of Sydney finished 7^th riding the former Victorian horse Twins Big Higgs, a rail down at the 1.50m vertical 5a and one time penalty in round one and a rail down at the 1.50m spread 12a from the first round and the fourth fence in the jump off plus two time penalties giving her an overall total of 11 penalties.

Jamie Kermond sails to a 24 point lead on the Australian rankings with 64 points from Cathy Graham on 40 as the riders head to the 5^th round being held at Caboolture on Sunday. Sirett will be the course designer of the Caboolture Jumping World Cup qualifier, jumping will be indoors at the Caboolture Showground Indoor Stadium on Sunday 21^st August.

Source: Equestrian Australia. Photos: Jenny Sheppard.  Video: Jo Johnson