The constant changing of horses in our top riders’ strings is a sign of great development and foresight in maintaining their best possible chance at top-level victories. Alongside the debut of Michelle Fleming’s self-bred Khaleesi, Aisling Triggol’s new partnership with Kadice van de Pitsemburg, and Lorette Knowles-Taylor’s partnership with Voigtskirch Sahara, Shaun Neill has also made some changes to his string which includes the return of his highly-competitive open horse, Callaho Freedom, and the addition of a new young Callaho, Con Cero.
Shaun Neill is a well-known name to many in the showjumping community, With a slew of incredible top horses including Gold Rush who was sold on to Europe, Clyde Z before he moved on to Cathryn Neill, and Baritone P, with whom Shaun won many titles, Shaun has been a regular feature at the top levels in South Africa with several international competitions under his belt as well – including representing South Africa at the World Cup Finals. While Callaho Freedom (Ferro) is no stranger to the competition circuit – his incredible competitiveness with Shaun and their ability to make ‘impossible’ turns in a jump-off are jaw-dropping – Freedom has been absent from the competition arena for some time but the training show at Kyalami Equestrian Park on the 23rd of January was an exciting day as Freedom returned albeit in the 1.00m heights, according to SASJ. His return to competition is a great relief for his fans and we hope to see him back in the open grades soon.
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On top of Freedom’s return, Shaun was seen in the arena on another new acquisition. Formerly owned by Shelley Moore from KwaZulu-Natal, Callaho Con Cero is by Callaho Con Coriano out of a Calando I mare. An active competitor in the 1.30m competitions, the 8-year-old gelding made his debut as part of the Delmon Mining & Civils (PTY) Ltd. team under Cathryn Neill in the early weeks of January 2021, however, the gelding was seen again at the Reonet Riders Grand Prix but this time, with Shaun Neill. While the partnership is still very new, Shaun’s competitiveness and ability to produce top-level horses mean this is a partnership destined for greatness.
January of 2021 also saw Shaun enter the arena of another new young horse, the EconoAgri-owned, Capital Coverage. The 6-year-old gelding by Capital Chicoletto Z out of a Capital Don Cumarco mare made his competitive debut in 2020 with Monique Erasmus and has shown some great potential for the open grades. While Shaun made his appearance with this young Capital in January, the gelding was then seen in the competition arena at Penbritte Equestrian Centre with Young Rider, Megan De Lange. While we’re uncertain as to whether Coverage will remain a ride for Shaun in the future, their competitions together were a great confidence booster for the young gelding and Shaun’s experience will no doubt have benefited the youngster.
It’s been an exciting start to the 2021 showjumping season for Shaun and we look forward to seeing what the remainder of the year has in store for him and his string of horses.
-The JumpOff-
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