Stellenbosch District Riding Club
Winelands to host international show jumping competition. Adrenalin, passion and nail-biting suspense will feature again in November this year when South Africa’s top show jumpers square off at the first Equestrian World Cup-jumping qualifying event to be held at the Stellenbosch District Riding Club (SDRC).
The much-anticipated Investec FEI World Cup Jumping Qualifier, one of the highlights on the South African show jumping calendar, is the final chance for top South African riders to qualify for the 2014 FEI World Cup event to be held in France in April next year.
With only the finest riders competing at this international standard event, the Qualifier is guaranteed to give spectators a taste of world-class show jumping on a course designed by international course builders Michel Ismalun of France and Kevin Spratley of South Africa.
Ismalun is the designer of the 2014 World Equestrian Games course while Spratley has been responsible for the design of several local high profile event courses, including the Avis Derby from 2009 to 2012 and the Pony Rider SA Championships this year. Spratley has also worked on international courses – his most recent project was the design for the Spanish Sunshine Tour.
Top riders in the Junior and Adult levels will be competing at the five-day event, which runs from Wednesday 20th to Sunday 24th November and is organised by Cape Town Equestrian.
Janet Larsen, Investec South Africa’s Head of Marketing, says the sport of show jumping is rapidly growing in South Africa. “As a last chance to make the cut for the World Cup, the Qualifier will this year no doubt deliver a spectacle of the highest standard,” she says.
“We predict that the high levels of passion, energy and stamina required to make it to the top will further ensure that the Qualifier becomes an iconic annual Cape Town event.”
The SDRC, one of the leading equestrian facilities in the country, is nestled into the Stellenbosch Forest and runs events in disciplines ranging from Dressage and Driving to Show Jumping and Eventing. The venue is easily accessible off the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West.
The FEI World Cup Qualifier event is open to everyone and will also have a Food, Wine and Craft Market, with a variety of different district wines, fresh produce and homemade goods on offer. Entrance is free on the 20th, 21st and 22nd November, with tickets for Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th available for purchase at R50 per person from either Computicket or at the gate. For further information visit www.capetownequestrian.co.za or contact Cape Town Equestrian on tel: (021) 510 3912.
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Directions to SDRC
From N2 Cape Town – Take Exit 33 left into Baden Powell Drive towards R310 Stellenbosch. Turn Right at Annandale Road (Lynedoch Service Station) and follow road until it meets the R44. Mooiberge Strawberry Stall is diagonally across the road. Turn left on to the R44. Turn left at Aerodrome Road. Stellenbosch District Riding Club is on the right hand side.
From N1 Cape Town – Take Exit 39 and turn right onto the R304 towards Stellenbosch. Turn right onto the R44 in Stellenbosch. Continue through Stellenbosch towards Somerset West. At Mooiberge Strawberry Farm intersection (R44 and Annandale road), make U-turn back towards Stellenbosch. First road left into Aerodrome Rd. Stellenbosch District Riding Club is on the right hand side.
DISTRIBUTED BY: Lesley Gikas | Refresh Connect |
TEL: +27 (021) 887 4495
ON BEHALF OF: Derek Patrick| Cape Town Equestrian|
TEL: +27 83 275 5284
Note to the editor:
About the organisers - Cape Town Equestrian:
Cape Town Equestrian (CTE) is managed by tDC Events. CTE brings industry expertise and marketing excellence to the world of jumping and has a deep understanding of the powerful role that an exceptional experience plays in brand loyalty. It is this spectator experience driven approach that ensures an even greater return for riders, partners and sponsors. http://www.capetownequestrian.co.za
Show jumping – about the sport:
The rules of show jumping are simple: jump an obstacle course of fences set on a twisting, turning course without dropping a rail or falling off, and, within the time allowed, to return for the jump-off round – the sport’s version of sudden death overtime. In the jump off, speed and carefulness are of the essence. The horse with the fastest time and fewest jumping faults is declared the winner.
FEI World Cup Qualifier – Did you know?
The dimensions of at least two of the fences jumped in the world cup qualifier must be 1.60m in height. The width of the fences may reach 2m.
South Africa is one of 17 leagues worldwide that holds a series of qualifying competitions in order to determine which riders will compete in the FEI World Cup Final. Each league has an allotted number of places in the final. South Africa has one place.
Six qualifiers are held throughout South Africa. Riders are allocated points in accordance with their placing in each of these competitions. The competitors’ best four scores count towards their overall place in the South African League.
The final of the current competition will take place in Lyon, France from 17 to 21 April 2014. The final is always held in an indoor arena. The 2015 Final will be held in Las Vegas.
USA rider, Beezie Madden riding Simon, won the 2013 FEI World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden. The winner of the South African league was Jodi Peters.
The current standings, prior to the Port Elizabeth and Cape Town legs, place two lady riders - Anne-Marie Esslinger and Jaenne Engela – both have with their equestrian roots in the Cape.
