Champions on show at DJWTS
Above: Bonita and Phillip Lever.
The third and final day of the annual PSI DJWTS show wrapped up on Saturday at the National Equestrian Centre at Werribee. For a full wrap of day 1 click HERE and for day 2 results, click HERE.
The first age group set down for decision was for the 4-year-old championship, sponsored by Andoo. The final, for the top 10 combinations over the two rounds, was a hotly contested affair, with the win going to Tulara Ziniero (Sire Zinedream & Dam Sire Companiero) ridden by Victorian Sophia Hill. Their score was an impressive 81.70%, over 3% higher than their next nearest rival. The top six placegetters in the third round were as follows:
Andoo – Australian Young Jumping Horse – 4-year-olds – Round 3
PLACE | RIDER | HORSE | SCORE |
1st | Sophia Hill | Tulara Ziniero | 81.70% |
2nd | Frida Lindgren | Kentaur Alba | 78.43% |
3rd | Samuel Williams | Bellatrix VP | 77.13% |
4th | Holly Bolzon | BPH Fireheart | 76.60% |
5th | Clay Simmonds | Dionysos EQB Z | 76.43% |
6th | Ally Lamb | Diatava DP | 75.80% |
Tulara Ziniero and Sophia Hill
The championship is decided by the addition of scores over the three days of competition. When the scores were added the name of winners of the Andoo 4-year-old championship were also revealed as Tulara Ziniero ridden Sophia Hill. They have had a very consistent show, having finished fifth in both of the first two rounds, before taking the final day win. Their total score for the three days of competition was 241.53. Tulara Ziniero is a grey warmblood stallion bred by Tulara Warmbloods and owned by Sophia Hill, and Mark and Anna Fraser.
Second place in the championship, with a score of 234.46, was Daitava DP (Sire Diamont De Semilly & Dam Sire Spartacus) ridden by Ally Lamb, while there was a tie for third place in the championship. Kentaur Alba (Sire Absolute Ego Z & Dam Sire Noblewood Park Cougar) and Bellatrix VP (Sire Big Star) ridden by Samuel Williams could not be separated after three days of competition, both finishing on a score of 233.93, after finishing second and third respectively in the third round.
The top six placings in the Andoo championship for 4-year-olds were as follows:
Andoo – Australian Young Jumping Horse – 4-year-olds – Overall placings
PLACE | RIDER | HORSE | SCORE |
1st | Sophia Hill | Tulara Ziniero | 241.53 |
2nd | Ally Lamb | Diatava DP | 234.46 |
=3rd | Frida Lindgren | Kentaur Alba | 233.93 |
=3rd | Samuel Williams | Bellatrix VP | 233.93 |
5th | Sally Simmonds | Konsider it Done D | 232.24 |
6th | Clay Simmonds | Dionysos EQB Z | 225.60 |
The next age group of horses we saw judged were the 5-year-olds in the Trailrace sponsored 5-year-old Australian Jumping horse Championship. Taking the win in the third and final round was the Priestley family bred and owned Team Priestley Katniss (Sire Kannan & Dam Sire Diarado) ridden by Olympian James Paterson-Robinson. Their score in the third round was 83.67% taking the win by just on 1.50%. The top six placings in the third round were as follows:
Trailrace – Australian Young Jumping Horse – 5-year-olds – Round 3
PLACE | RIDER | HORSE | SCORE |
1st | James Paterson-Robinson | Team Priestley Katniss | 83.67% |
2nd | Ally Lamb | Diamond B Franklin | 82.20% |
3rd | Chloe Hughes | Cil Dara Dainty | 81.97% |
4th | Frida Lindgren | Tulara Cascara | 81.80% |
5th | Angela Dobbin | Oaks Empire | 81.70% |
6th | Paige McBain | Greengrove Cera Calchas | 81.60% |
When it came down to sorting out the Trailrace championship placings. The win went to Diamond B Franklin (Sire Emerald Van T Ruytershof & Dam Sire Conquistador) ridden by Ally Lamb with a total score of 251.27. Bred by Helen Chugg at Diamond B Farm and owned by Ally, this combination were a model of consistency, by placing second in each of the preliminary rounds as well as the final. Second place in the championship, with a score of 250.46, went to another Diamond B Farm product Diamond B Chatterbox (Sire Cornel & Dam Sire Vivant) ridden by Emma Collins, who unfortunately for them, took a rail to drop them from the lead they held after winning the two preliminary rounds. Third place in the championship went to the third-round winners Team Priestly Katniss and James Paterson-Robinson, with a total of 246.81 points.
Above: Diamond B Franklin and Ally Lamb
The top six placings in the Trailrace championship for 5-year-olds are as follows:
Trailrace – Australian Young Jumping Horse – 5-year-olds – Overall Placings
PLACE | RIDER | HORSE | SCORE |
1st | Ally Lamb | Diamond B Franklin | 251.27 |
2nd | Emma Collins | Diamond B Chatterbox | 250.46 |
3rd | James Paterson-Robinson | Team Priestley Katniss | 246.81 |
4th | James Paterson-Robinson | Condor | 245.79 |
5th | Paige McBain | Greengrove Cera Calchas | 243.37 |
6th | Frida Lindgren | Tulara Cascara | 243.17 |
The next class on the main arena was the third round of the Southern Cross Event Hire Jumping Championship for 6-year-olds, where just the top 10 combinations from the previous two days of competition were on show. The winner of the class was, Blue Balou PS (Sire Action Blue & Dam Sire Chacco Blue) ridden by Australian representative rider Billy Raymont with the highest score of the day so far, 84.13%. They were over a percentage point clear of a very tight contest for the minor placings. The top six placings in the final round were as follows:
Southern Cross Event Hire – Australian Young Jumping Horse – 6-year-olds – Round 3
PLACE | RIDER | HORSE | SCORE |
1st | Billy Raymont | Blue Balou PS | 84.13% |
2nd | Amber Fuller | Bickleys Leviosa | 82.90% |
3rd | Clint Beresford | Oaks Chingo | 82.67% |
4th | Jess Rice-Ward | Al Fonso | 82.63% |
5th | Josh Collins | Glenara Crystal | 81.27% |
6th | Frida Lindgren | Wondaree Colleen | 81.23% |
Not only did they win the third and final round, but Blue Balou PS and Billy Raymont went on to named the champions 6-year-old of the show, with a total score of 253.67. Billy, who co-owns the horse brought the horse back from Europe last year and it seems to be full of promise. This combination was a model of consistency over the course of the show, winning round 1 and finishing second in round 2, before their final round victory. Second place in the championship went to Bickleys Leviosa (Sire Cassiago & Dam Sire Indoctro) with Amber Fuller aboard with a final score of 248.63. This is a horse on the improve as they came sixth in the 5-year-old championship at this show last year. Third place in the championship went to the combination who won the second preliminary round, CF Comanche (Sire Cera Cassiago and Dam Sire Cristallo 1) and Gabrielle Chugg, with a score of 248.60, the smallest of margins off second place.
Above: Blue Balou PS and Billy Raymont
The top six placings in the Southern Cross Event Hire championship for 6-year-olds are as follows:
Southern Cross Event Hire – Australian Young Jumping Horse – 6-year-olds – Overall Placings
PLACE | RIDER | HORSE | SCORE |
1st | Billy Raymont | Blue Balou PS | 235.67 |
2nd | Amber Fuller | Bickleys Leviosa | 248.63 |
3rd | Gabrielle Chugg | CF Comanche | 248.60 |
4th | Jess Rice-Ward | Al Fonso | 245.90 |
5th | Clint Beresford | Oaks Chingo | 244.47 |
6th | Josh Collins | Glenara Crystal | 243.27 |
The final age championship of the show was the last class on Arena 1 for the day. In an impressive performance, the winners of the third round of the Antares Jumping Championship for 7-year-olds were Bonita (Sire Balou du Rouet & Dam Sire Alondra), bred by the Barton family, owned by Jessica Pateman and superbly ridden by Phillip Lever, with a score of 85.40, which was one of the highest round scores awarded across the three days of competition.
The top six placings in the final were as follows:
ANTARES – Australian Young Jumping Horse – 7-year-olds – Round 3
PLACE | RIDER | HORSE | SCORE |
1st | Phillip Lever | Bonita | 85.40% |
2nd | Sarah McMillan | Everest JEP | 84.80% |
3rd | Jamie Winning-Kermond | Tulara Lady Zirocco | 83.80% |
4th | Ally Lamb | Fantasia DP | 83.53% |
5th | Brook Dobbin | Devos GP | 82.90% |
6th | Matt Irvine | Chalina DP | 78.33% |
When the scores from three days of competition were tallied, the judges announced that the winner of the Antares Jumping Championship for 7-year-olds were Bonita and Phillip Lever, with a total score of 251.27. This same combination placed third in last year’s 6-year-old championship where they won on the final day of the competition, as they did today. In second place, just over a point behind on a total of 250.24, were Tulara Lady Zirocco (Sire Zirocco Blue & Dam Sire Colman) ridden by Jamie Winning-Kermond, after coming the final round. Everest JEP (Sire Emerald Van T Ruytershof & Dam Sire Carrado I), ridden by Sarah McMillan placed third in the championship after having won the first round on Thursday.
Above: Bonita and Phillip Lever
The top six placings in the Antares championship for 7-year-olds are as follows:
ANTARES – Australian Young Jumping Horse – 7-year-olds – Overall Placings
PLACE | RIDER | HORSE | SCORE |
1st | Phillip Lever | Bonita | 251.27 |
2nd | Jamie Winning-Kermond | Tulara Lady Zirocco | 250.24 |
3rd | Sarah McMIllan | Everest JEP | 248.03 |
4th | Brook Dobbin | Devos GP | 246.50 |
5th | Ally Lamb | Fantasia DP | 241.93 |
6th | Matt Irvine | Chalina DP | 237.33 |
After a break for the FEI World Cup Qualifier, the focus returned to the young horses where the four age group winners vied to be named the champion of champions. This involved our international judge, the esteemed rider Andreas Kreuzer from Germany making an assessment of the horses. Each of the four age champions were put through a short routine with Kreuzer riding each in turn. After a short conference with her fellow judges, Sue Coman and Ulrich Klatte, the big announcement was made.
The Jumping Champion of Champions for DJWTS 2023 was Bonita (Sire Balou de Rouet & Dam Sire Alondra), ridden by Phillip Lever.
This combination placed seventh in the first round, but then won both Friday’s second round and Saturday’s third round.
This horse is a grey warmblood mare, owned by Jessica Pateman and bred by the Barton Family. At the presentation they were awarded the Sky High Perpetual Trophy, which is a prestigious award generously donated by Bev & John Edwards of Jaybee Farm to the Young Jumping Horse Champion of Champions at the PSI DJWTS. This trophy is a symbol of excellence and is highly sought after by competitors.
Hopefully over the years ahead, we will see Bonita develop and mature into one of the stars of the Australian Jumping scene.
ARENA 2
There was plenty of exciting jumping action to be seen on the second arena. The first final of the day was in the Theault Silver Tour. A total of 32 combinations presented for the final, with 13 of them going clear and qualifying for a jump off. It was the last combination out, Tom McDermott and Quintation who set Werribee Park alight, with a sensational clear performance in a time of just 34.58 seconds to take the win. Second place in a time of 37.10 seconds was Charlie Magnier and Quinn Z, while third went to Chloe Versteegen and Cera Quantero, just over a second behind. It was a remarkable performance from these three combinations who had already filled the first three places in both round 1 and round 2, leading up to Saturday’s big final.
The first six placings in this class were as follows:
Theault Silver Tour – FINAL
PLACE | RIDER | HORSE |
1st | Tom McDermott | Quintation |
2nd | Charlie Magnier | Quinn Z |
3rd | Chloe Versteegen | Cera Quantero |
4th | Madeline Sinderberry | Keilor Bamboo |
5th | Matt Irvine | Glenara Cognac |
6th | Molly Lawrence | Carabel P |
The next class on Arena 2 was the final of the JPR Equestrian Current Star Mini Prix competition
The best 30 performed combinations from the preliminary rounds qualified for the final, which saw eight clear rounds and the need for a jump off. Experience came to the fore when Queensland rider Clem Smith steered his Warmblood gelding Quantico 12 around the jump off course clear in a time of just 40.38 seconds to take the win. They were clear of Emma Collins and Oaks Abracadabra who also went double clear in a time of 41.51 seconds. Current Australian Young Rider champions, Clemency Hughes and YPH Capulet were third, just over a second behind. In fourth place, just missing out on third by 0.03 seconds was Frida Lindgren and Big Dreams Z.
The first six placings in this class were as follows:
JPR Equestrian – Current Stars Mini Prix – FINAL
PLACE | RIDER | HORSE |
1st | Clem Smith | Quantico 12 |
2nd | Emma Collins | Oaks Abracadabra |
3rd | Clemency Hughes | YPH Capulet |
4th | Frida Lindgren | Big Dreams Z |
5th | Madeline Sinderberry | Camie Z |
6th | Sarah Duggan | Dublin |
The next class on arena 2 was the Wyndham City FEI world Cup Qualifier. To read a separate article focusing on this class, please click HERE.
ARENA 3
There was just one class on Arena 3 on the final day of competition, which was the running of the
Taranto Glass Bronze tour. A total of 35 combinations qualified for the final, which saw 11 clear rounds, giving rise to an exciting jump off. Nine combinations recorded double clears, so it came down to times where 39.68 seconds was the benchmark, achieved by Queensland teenager Emmy Ravenscroft and her warmblood mare Dornamour. They were almost 3 seconds faster than the second placed Jack Barker and Tulara For Quinar who finished in 42.48 seconds. Third place went to another young Victorian rider Joel Lamb with his mare Emcee Holly Go Lightly, just half a second in arears. The first six placings in this class were as follows:
JPR Equestrian – Current Stars Mini Prix – FINAL
PLACE | RIDER | HORSE |
1st | Emmy Ravenscroft | Dornamour |
2nd | Jack Barker | Tulara For Quinar |
3rd | Joel Lamb | Emcee Holly Go Lightly |
4th | Teagan Chester | Quinrose |
5th | Brook Dobbin | Jacky S |
6th | Christie Freeman | Quevida |
We extend our congratulations to all the winners and placegetters in all classes. Also, thank you to Equestrian Victoria who organized and ran a magnificent show. We look forward to the 2024 edition of PSI DJWTS.