A spectacular day greeted competitors and spectators for the third and final day of the of the 2018 NSW Country Jumping Championships.  Finals were held in all six championship series and the overall title winners were determined, based on performances over the three days of competition.

NSW COUNTRY JUNIOR TITLE – FINAL (1.20m)

First Final today on the Jumping NSW Outdoor All-Weather Arena was the NSW Country Junior Title. Thirty-five combinations started this morning and twelve clears were recorded. In an exciting jump off, Sophie Hatch and Glenara Mudslide prevailed, just beating Hayley Cox and APH Merlin. Third place went to Georgia Apps and PP Masterclass.

Junior Title Final. Top six placings:

Sophie Hatch and Glenara Mudslide

NSW COUNTRY JUNIOR TITLE – CHAMPIONSHIP

In what was an outstanding effort, winner of the NSW Country Junior Championship was Jess Rice-Ward and Dusky Farm Cavalier. They were the most consistent combination over the three days, finishing first, second and fifth, as well as completing five courses without incurring a single fault. Second in the championship went to Hayley Cox and APH Merlin, with placings of fourth, eighth and second proving their consistency. Third place went to the winner of today’s final, Sophie Hatch and Glenara Mudslide, who improved after finishing thirteenth and third on the previous two days.

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Junior Championship. Top six placings:

Jess Rice-Ward and Dusky Farm Cavalier

NSW COUNTRY AMATEUR TITLE – FINAL (1.20m)

Next class out was the Final of the NSW Country Amateur Title. Twenty-three starters saw just five clears, ensuring a small but elite jump off. The clear winner was Damien Churchill and Franklins Peace, over Niki Dingwall and Cavalier Winsom in second and Cale Rushton and Kirmington Casper filling out third.

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Amateur Title Final. Top six placings:

NSW COUNTRY AMATEUR TITLE – CHAMPIONSHIP

Winners of the Amateur Championship, repeating his performance from last year, was Damien Churchill and Franklins Peace. This combination, who finished each day with third, fourth and first placings, were narrow winners over Cale Rushton and Kirmington Casper who recorded fourth, fifth and third placings. Third place went to Melissa Jasprizza and Woodsend Merlot who demonstrated their consistency with second, second and fourth placings. Unlucky was Alisa Williams and Anigrey, who after winning Rounds 1 and 2, slipped today to finish fourth overall.

Amateur Championship. Top six placings:

Damien Churchill and Franklins Peace

NSW COUNTRY SENIOR TITLE – FINAL (1.45m)

The Final of the NSW Country Senior Title was the next championship to be decided. Twenty combinations attempted the 1.45m course, with just four clear rounds being recorded. With the championship having many possible winners, a ten-way jump off was held. The winning combination was Stephen Dingwall and Cavalier Du Rouet. Tom MCDermott filled the second and third placings on Elegance De La Charmille (second) and Yalambis Finnigan (third).

Senior Title Final. Top six placings:

Stephen Dingwall and Cavalier Du Rouet

NSW COUNTRY SENIOR TITLE – CHAMPIONSHIP 

The NSW Country Senior Title was awarded to the combination of Tom McDermott and Elegance De La Charmille. They were the most consistent combination over the three days, finishing in second, first, and then second placings and being the only combination to record five clear rounds. This combination is in line to win a $50,000 bonus if they can record wins in the Senior title at both the NSW championship in two weeks’ time and the Wilinga Park event in December. Second place went to Katie Laurie and Cera Caruso, who after winning Round 1, came in fifth and fourth on Sunday and Monday. Third place went to the ever-consistent Tom McDermott and Alpha Activity, who completed the weekend with fifth, second and seventh placings.

Senior Championship. Top six placings:

 
Tom McDermott and Elegance De La Charmille

FUTURE STARS (Under 40 Points) – FINAL (1.30m)

Twenty-Six combinations started this class and with seven clears recorded, a seven way jump off was to decide the placings.  Five of these combinations again went clear, however the Final of the Future Stars event went to Stuart Jenkins and Blackall Park Penny Lane. They were well clear of Tom McDermott and Yalambis Confidant in second, with Jamie Priestley and Oaks Diamantina filling third place.

Future Stars Title Final. Top six placings:

 
Stuart Jenkins and Blackall Park Penny Lane

NSW COUNTRY FUTURE STARS CHAMPIONSHIP 

In a dominant display, Stuart Jenkins and Blackall Park Penny Lane were victorious in the Future Stars Championship. Winning each round and going clear in five rides. Second in the championship was Katie Laurie and McCaw MVNZ. They were consistent performers over the weekend, finishing in sixth, third and sixth place. Third went to Tom McDermott and Yalambis Confidant.

Future Stars Championship. Top six placings:

NSW COUNTRY YOUNG RIDER TITLE – FINAL (1.30m)

The Final of the NSW Country Young Rider Title was the next class. Towards the end of a long weekend of jumping only fourteen combinations entered the class, with eight clears recorded. In an eight-way jump off, the win went to Amelia Douglass and Sirius Du Grant, ahead of Jess Rice-Ward and CP Southern Cross in second and Jamie Priestley and Amaretto MVNZ, filling out third.

Young Rider Title Final. Top six placings:

 
Amelia Douglass and Sirius Du Granit

NSW COUNTRY YOUNG RIDER CHAMPIONSHIP 

Jamie Priestley and Amaretto MVNZ were deserved winners of the Young Rider Championship. While they did not win a round, their consistent performance (third, second and third) and not having single fault in five rides secured the win outright. Second was Amelia Douglass and Sirius Du Granit, although finishing eighth in Round 1, this combination went on to record wins in the next two qualifying rounds.  Third place was filled by the Junior Championship winner, Jess Rice-Ward, this time riding CP Southern Cross. They finished fourth, fifth and then second in the Final.

Young Riders Championship. Top six placings:

Jamie Priestley and Amaretto MVNZ

NSW COUNTRY MINI PRIX – FINAL (1.30m)

The last event on the Jumping NSW Outdoor All-Weather Arena was the Mini Prix Final. A ten-way jump off was required to sort out the placings. Round 1 winners Jennifer Wood and Harvey B again won, followed by Jessica Grant and Cosmorex Coffee Vienetta in second and Alison Rowland and Oaks Visionary in third.

Mini Prix Title Final. Top six placings:

NSW COUNTRY MINI PRIX CHAMPIONSHIP 

Jennifer Woods and Harvey B are the NSW Country Mini Prix champions. They won the first round and the Final, finishing third in Round 2.  Well deserved, having completed all five courses clear. Second place went to Jessica Grant and Cosmorex Coffee Vienetta, who placed seventh, first and second in the rounds. Third place went to Jennifer Wood, this time riding Cassando B.

Mini Prix Championship. Top six placings:

 
Jennifer Wood and Harvey B