Investec FEI World Cup Show Jumping Qualifier - Promises Spectacular Horsemanship

 

Organised by the newly formed Cape Town Equestrian, this is the only international show jumping competition in Cape Town and it also forms the last leg of the South African Series of the FEI World Cup Jumping Championship.

 

Renowned international course builder Frank Rothenburger, from Germany, will oversee the building of the course with colleague Andreas Hollmann. Local course designers Kevin Spratley and Brendan Silen will be working with the international team and assisted by Andile Balula, one of the rising young stars in the Eventing Course Designer and Builder programme. The type of jumps that feature on the course are a challenge to these top national riders, offering the audience an opportunity to experience the close bond existing between horse and rider as they ride the course.

 

The classes are closely contested and, with more than 142 riders already entered, there will be much to interest visitors to the event.

 

Sunday 25 November will see past winners of the World Cup Qualifier class, Gareth and Shaun Neill, pitting their skills against a strong Western Province line up. For the first time four local riders feature in this 1.5 m class, showing a fast growing strength and skill from this region. Watch out for our local riders Tara Louw and Anthea Erasmus, as well as Liam Stevens and Jeanne Engela, who have been campaigning in Johannesburg.

 

Both Anthea and Jeanne are hot contenders for the title and spectators are promised exciting rounds by both these talented show jumpers. Earlier this year Jeanne competed in the 'big' classes on her mare, Cloof Wines Chanel. Their first attempt at a World Cup Qualifier was in Durban and after winning this they went on to place second in the Polokwane World Cup Qualifier. With Port Elizabeth coming up and the final leg in Cape Town Jeanne lies third overall.
Anthea Erasmus has also had an amazing year having finished second in the Avis Derby in October, with her horse Meerenhof Properties Calypso, and is currently lying sixth in the FEI World Cup rankings after the Polokwane leg. With the pressure on, there is no doubt that this will be a thrilling final for spectators and riders alike.