Highlights from the 2020 SA Outdoor Grand Prix

Despite the SA Outdoor Grand Prix event being cancelled due to several positive COVID-19 cases, the first 3 days of showjumping provided some stellar competition. With 2 horses stepping up into the 1.50m heights including Guillaume, ridden by Liam Stevens, and Ian van Schalkwyk’s return to competition after a lengthy injury-related break, the show, although cut short in duration, was not short on action.

The 1.50m riders managed to complete their 2 qualifying class before the event was stopped with Lisa Williams on Campbell taking the win in the 1st qualifier, an A2 Competition, ahead of Charley-Ann Crockart and The Burgh’s Epomein, who just recently stepped up to the top grades at SA Champs. Notably, in the second qualifier, a one-round competition with a jump-off, Charley-Ann Crockart of CC Equestrian in Kyalami claimed her first victory at the highest levels of the sport. Owned by Stan and Leoni van der Burgh, The Burgh’s Epomein, by Chacco-Blue out of a Jus De Pomme mare, has been a top-shelf partner to Charley-Ann as the pair have steadily climbed the ranks and claimed their first 1.50m victory together. After their victory, Charley-Ann posted to social media saying “This mare is just incredible. Thank you to Stan Van Der Burgh and Leoni van der Burgh for always believing in us.”

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Liam Stevens was, once again, seen back at the top with his newest partner, Guillaume, at the SA Outdoor Grand Prix but another horse also made his entrance into the 1.50m classes, Sunny Park Stables Eagles Lazer. A South African bred warmblood by Lassiter out of an Eagles Concerto mare, Lazer is a 12-year-old gelding that has been a partner to Nicola Sime-Riley for several years. With Nicola’s expertise, her ability to progress us the grades with all her horses has been admirable as her open grade string continues to grow. With Elpaso no longer being seen in the ring due to an injury and Connoisseur starting to take a slight back seat, Nicola’s younger string, including Sunny Park Stables Insaghi DB, who recently won the 2020 President’s Cup, and Sunny Park Stables Eagles Lazer ensure that Nicola remain at the highest levels for many years to come.

It may have been a short-lived show, and we’re sad to see that we couldn’t crown a 2020 South African Outdoor Grand Prix champion, but for many, it ended the show on a positive note with impressive performances across the grades. Aside from the Pony Riders, Children, and Juniors who will be competing this week at the Youth Champs at Kyalami Equestrian Park, the Outdoor GP show was the last of the year for many equestrians, who will now take a break before returning next year to tackle the 2021 showjumping calendar with zeal.

-The JumpOff-

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