Sydney Showjumping Club Summer Championships: 1-2 December - Results and Photos

Winner of the Grand Prix, Paul Athanasoff from Dungog, riding Wirragulla Nicklaus (photo: Furdography - see all photos in the Gallery)

The Sydney Showjumping Club staged their most successful End of Year Championships to date on 1-2 December at their Clarendon grounds.

High temperatures on Saturday saw the numbers down a little but the feature day on Sunday was blessed with temperatures in the mild twenties and conditions were perfect for jumping.

A relieved event Director Karinda Alpert said, "We have had an excellent two days of showjumping. We had over 300 competitors from all over Australia and the grounds were in superb condition".

Course Designers for the Championships were Mark Atkins, Sue Bettington, Juho Looveer and Robert Howarth, with judges being Graham Davey, Katrina Dukats, Michael Archer and Joyce Brooks.

Thanks to the very generous sponsors who support the Sydney Showjumping Club: David & Janelle Miles, Winnings Appliances, Copabella Stud, Sydney Equestrian Supplies, Fernhill Estate -the Tripp Family, Evans Park, Edwena Mitchell Catering, Tuza Floats, Globalentries, Furdography.

The Grand Prix, which was the feature event of the show, was a resounding win for Paul Athanasoff from Dungog riding his magnificent 14 year old warmblood stallion Wirragulla Nicklaus (by Falkrich from Wirragulla Nina).

This combination were the 2011 Australian Showjumping champions and went to Europe to campaign for Olympic selection at the start of the year and were by far the most experienced partnership. However they had not competed for over six months since returning to Australia, which made their first up win even more remarkable.

Paul was 3 seconds ahead of Nic Carraro from Kulura on his beautiful grey Colombo and Sharon Slater from PittTown on the consistent and stylish CP Ulixes. ( Nic and Sharon shared equal second place followed by Dave Cameron and Vicki Roycroft).

The Mini Prix class was a quinella for Dave Cameron riding Bonnie Martin's two beautiful mares, Bellarose and Dyranta (these mares are full sisters and obviously share good genes for jumping, but were also extremely well ridden). Georgia Harvey on the delightful NZ station bred Blue Rinse were third from George Johnson on the ever consistent Wondaree Sprite with Coco Miles showing rapid improvement oh the ex-eventer Emcee Gwynedd finishing 5th.

This was the SSJC's last event for 2012 and events will recommence in Feb 2012 and competitors should check www.globalentriesonline.com.au for details.

Many competitors are now aiming towards the 4 days of the Summer Classic at Sydney International Equestrian Centre next week from the 6th to the 9th December.

See full results in PDF below and VIEW FURDOGRAPHY PHOTOS IN THE GALLERY