The first final of the Group A (Seniors) jumping program was held this morning at the 200th Anniversary Sydney Royal Easter Show. This competition was for Section 1 horses, with some of the best combinations in the country engaged. The win today, went to Josh Collins and Cornel, who succeeded after a tension filled two-way jump-off.

Above: Josh Collins and Cornel

The award for the best performed horse in Section 1 competitions went to Yandoo Oaks Constellation ridden by Jamie Winning-Kermond.

Jamie Winning-Kermond and Yandoo Oaks Constellation

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The competition started way back on Tuesday with a single round class, which saw just 11 combinations entered. There were only three clear rounds which filled the podium. Tom McDermott, who earlier this year campaigned in the United States, wasted no time reminding us of just how good he is by taking out the class. Second place, in a time almost two seconds slower than Tom were Jessica Pateman and Celso, also clear. The final spot on the podium was taken by Amber Fuller and the 14-year-old gelding, CP Aretino.

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The owners of the winning horse in this class (0856) each year are awarded the Bob Chittick Memorial Perpetual Cup, donated by the late T A Field and Mr R A Field. Remarkably for the third time in a row that this class has been conducted (2019, 2021 and 2022) Tom and “Charmille” have taken the honours.

ROUND 1 RESULTS

PLACE	RIDER	HORSE
1st	Tom McDermott	Elegance De La Charmille
2nd	Jessica Pateman	Celso
3rd	Amber Fuller	CP Aretino
4th	Tom McDermott	Alpha Activity
5th	Aaron Hadlow	Vahlinvader
6th	Ally Lamb	Eagle Rock

Wednesday saw these top combinations out again, competing in Round 2 of the Section 1 competition and to highlight the ultra-competitive nature of this class, Round 2 saw a complete new set of podium placings than we saw in Round 1.

A pair of clear rounds meant that a jump-off was required to sort out the winners of this class. It is not often that Tom McDermott is beaten in a jump-off, but today he was. Taking the win in a jump-off time of 49.15 seconds were Jamie Winning-Kermond in combination with Yandoo Oaks Constellation. Having to be content with second place, with a time of 49.52 seconds were Tom McDermott and Alpha Activity. It was great jumping, with both of these combinations going double clear. Third place, up two places on their finishing position in Round 1 were Aaron Hadlow and Vahlinvader, being fastest of the four-faulters.

ROUND 2 RESULTS

PLACE	RIDER	HORSE
1st	Jamie Winning-Kermond	Yandoo Oaks Constellation
2nd	Tom McDermott	Alpha Activity
3rd	Aaron Hadlow	Vahlinvader
4th	Tom McDermott	Warraleigh Park Cortez
5th	Ally Lamb	Eagle Rock
6th	Frida Lindgren	Ashleigh City Lights

After a rest day on Thursday, Friday saw the Section 1 horses out again and it was Tom McDermott, once again, exerting his class on the competition. Tom and Warraleigh Park Cortez achieved the only clear round of the class, so there was no need for a jump-off. There was also only one combination finishing on four faults, which meant second place went to McDermott again, this time in combination with the mare Elegance De La Charmille, with whom he won the first round on Tuesday. Round 2 winners, Jamie Winning-Kermond and Yandoo Oaks Constellation were third with just six faults.

Tom McDermott and Warraleigh Park Cortez

ROUND 3 RESULTS

PLACE	RIDER	HORSE
1st	Tom McDermott	Warraleigh Park Cortez
2nd	Tom McDermott	Elegance De La Charmille
3rd	Jamie Winning-Kermond	Yandoo Oaks Constellation
4th	Josh Collins	Cornel
5th	Ally Lamb	Eagle Rock
6th	Frida Lindgren	Ashleigh City Lights

The three preliminary rounds set up what promised to be an exciting final and nobody in the large crowd watching on would have been disappointed. After 10 of the 11 combinations entered had completed the course, there was only one clear round and it looked like Amber Fuller and CP Aretino might take the title after just the one ride today, however it was not to be. Last out, Josh Collins and his magnificent looking stallion, Cornel went clear forcing a two-way jump-off.

Above: Amber Fuller and CP Aretino

Amber and CP Aretino were first out in the jump-off, setting a cracking pace, but unfortunately a single rail cost them the perfect day. Now it was up to Josh and Cornel, who now only had to go clear to claim the victory. The tension grew as the round progressed and when they completed the course clear, the cheers rang-out for a well-deserved victory.

Darren Gocher, the CEO of Equestrian Australia presented the EFA Perpetual Cup to Josh Collins as the owner of the winning horse in this class.

GROUP A – SECTION 1 – FINAL

PLACE	RIDER	HORSE
1st	Josh Collins	Cornel
2nd	Amber Fuller	CP Aretino
3rd	Tom McDermott	Alpha Activity
4th	Ally Lamb	Eagle Rock
5th	Tom McDermott	Warraleigh Park Cortez
6th	Jamie Winning-Kermond	Yandoo Oaks Constellation

The very prestigious David Asimus Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by Peter Asimus & Virginia Russell-Asimus is awarded each year to the Best Performed Section 1 Jumping Horse. This year, that honour went to Yandoo Oaks Constellation who takes the award for the second year in a row.

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Jamie Winning-Kermond, his rider this year, also received a medallion in recognition of her efforts and in an emotional speech, thanked all those who had supported her over what has been a very trying 12 months.

The competition for Best Performed Jumping Horse in Section 1 was a very close battle. Horses are awarded points for each of the three rounds as well as the final based on their finishing positions in each class. Yandoo Oaks Constellation ended up on a total of 85 points, taking the title by just a single point from Cornel, who made up a number of places in the field by taking out today’s final. Third place, again just a point further back on 83, went to the very consistent Eagle Rock, ridden by Ally Lamb, who did not finish any lower than sixth place in any of the four classes in the competition.