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Australian Showjumping Championships Report 12-11-2004 3:00 pm


It seemed as if nothing was too tough for Robert Agnew and 'DP Envy' in the Australian Championship class. Envy was lightly shown over the weekend and looked as if he could jump anything, as is clearly shown here. That triple bar was about 1.60m high by 2m wide. The combination from Mickleham in Victoria were the only one to jump three clear rounds over the testing track and proved themselves to be worthy 2004 Australian Showjumping Champions.

2004 Mt Gambier Australian Showjumping Championships
2nd – 5th December.
By Anna Sharpley

"All things come to those who wait" they say and certainly that was true at the Mt Gambier Australian Showjumping Championships on the weekend. Robert Agnew chose to start DP Envy only in the obligatory National Teams competition on Friday in order to keep him fresh for the City of Mt Gambier Australian Championship event. The tactics worked perfectly for the farrier from Hanging Rock in Victoria, as the 15 year-old Thoroughbred was the only horse of the 21 to start to jump three clear rounds to take the title. John Wilsher's Australian Championship course set in the Mt Gambier veledrome was as tough as one would expect for a National Championship Grand Prix. The first of the three possible rounds was set at 1.45m-1.50m and went up progressively from there. Only Paula Hamood, who had a super weekend, joined Robert in the jump off against the clock riding her NV Capone. The nine-year-old jumped very well indeed but the tough line from huge triple bar to double of 1.50m verticals caught the young Warmblood, who with four penalties to add had to settle for second place.

Chris Chugg jumped clear and four with his experienced Diamond B Ego, as did Linda Dobson with Noblewood Park Carlotta, Michelle Barrera riding her imported Belgian gelding, Kayak van het Gravenhof and Ronnie Easey with Brisbane World Cup winner, Trumby Blue. They were relegated to third, fourth, fifth and sixth by the time in the first round. Vicki Roycroft added and uncharacteristic time penalty and a rail in the first round, but backed it up with a great clear in the second round riding her big, imported, Irish chestnut and Canberra World Cup winner, Infatuation to take seventh place. Melissa Froesch made an impressive National Championship debut riding her eight-year-old stallion, Warlord II who had a fence down in both rounds to take eighth place.

The 2004 Mitavite Australian Speed Championships went to an in form Paula Hamood and an equally in form Buck's Bunny who won two and almost three classes over the carnival. The District Council of Grant Australian Young Rider title went to 19 year-old South Australian rider, Lachlan Manuel riding his Cut Loose. Lachlan who comes from Kapunda has spent the last twelve months training with Sue and National Coach Jamie Coman in NSW. "It's absolutely amazing, it has not sunk in yet" declared a delighted Lachlan immediately post event. The Coman camp was the place to be over the Mt Gambier carnival as 16 year-old Hayley Coman captured the KFC Australian Junior Championship riding MEC Rhythm. "I am so fortunate," beamed Hayley who was third in the 2003 National Championships, "everyone, my parents and my sponsors have be so supportive over the last twelve months."

The song "Chug-a-lug" was played over the public address in honour of Chris Chugg's outstanding victories in both The Horse Deals Future Stars class and the Mitavite Mini Prix riding the imported Belgian stallion, Vivant. The Future Stars class was arguably the highlight of the weekend with Jeff Bloomfield equal second riding the imported Selle Francais stallion, Ideal de Valette. Brook Dobbin shared second money with the in form Warmblood, Why Not with George Sanna fourth with another really promising import, Licato. Lydia Lawrence and Dutch Treat win the 'most improved of the run' award as the mare by Dutchman jumped really well to take fifth place in a very strong class. There was plenty of depth in the 'novice' classes, which gives rise for a somewhat forgotten felling of optimism regarding Australian showjumping. Kirra Boulton from Sale won the Sungold D Grade Championship (from a field of 107) riding Egotrip from Vicki Roycroft aboard Flowervale Concorde and Anthony Thomas with AEA Amethist. George Sanna took the quinella in the City of Grant C grade Championships riding the imported pair, Kopa II and Licato. The purpose bred horse really made an impression over this carnival.

Rider after rider praised the Mt Gambier Showjumping Club for their efforts before and during the Australian Championships. Many riders had made their first trip to Mt Gambier and were in unison (a rare thing in itself) in their praise of the footing and the equipment. "Good going and good equipment creates good jumping" add to that good horses and you have the ingredients for great jumping. The Mt Gambier Showjumping Club certainly had the right recipe.