What a weekend at another great Swan River Young Horse Show! As a long-term Swan River sponsor, this is a show we circle on the calendar each year especially after Kentaur Coralline (Corland VDL out of a Renegade Z mare) was crowned Young Horse Champion in 2018.
This year’s interstate judge Russell Johnstone and local judges Kate Majors-Borg and Stewart Kammann provided constructive feedback and a great master class for the final four on Sunday. A positive change was made to how the young horse classes were judged, with two sections of each age category being awarded places. The ‘style’ section was based on the judge’s preferences taking into account any penalties which would determine the final four and overall young horse champion. The age classes were also run as a 273.2.2/3.3.2 and were awarded a place based on their penalties and time in the second round. Although no Kentaur horses made it into the final four this year, homebred horses and sponsored riders were strong in attendance and in the placings.
Kicking off the weekend we had the two babies on the team competing in the 4-year-old class. Kentaur Chandon owned by the Prendiville Family jumped some super rounds piloted by sponsored rider David Dobson. Kentaur Chandon is by Concorde Ego Z out of accomplished mare Barrabadeen Captivate (by Noblewood Park Cougar). Fondly known as Donny, he placed a very close 2nd for style behind the capable Chad Donovan riding Contarli Castillo, and 1st against the clock in the second round.
Also, in the 4-year-old was the athletic Noblewood Park Clue owned by Michelle Carberry and professionally piloted by Courtney O’Sullivan. Clue is by the imported stallion Noblewood Park Calibre (Cassini I/ Dobel’s Centro), out of a full sister to Noblewood Park Cougar, Chanel. This striking grey placed 4th for style and 3rd against the clock.
Next out was Jessica Hoffren and Kentaur Chocolate Noir. Jess has had some great success recently on this little mare by Carpino Z out of Barrabadeen Captivate. Jess placed 3rd in the open 1.05m and 6th in a competitive Amateur 1.10m Qualifier on Saturday, only to come out on Sunday and win the open 1.05m as well!
Sponsored rider Renatta Hayward also placed 2nd in the Amateur Qualifier on her ride Barrabadeen Highlight showing spectators how the jump-off was done… On Sunday Renatta placed 4th in the 1.05m and 5th in the 1.15m, this is defiantly a combination to be keeping an eye on in the future!
The final four was a great spectacle, with Russell riding all 4 winners from each age class.
4-year-old: Contarli Castillo – Chad Donovan
5-year-old: Sovereigns Rolls Royce – Sophie Ahmat
6-year-old: Caprino – Caitlin Bolger
7-year-old: Cera Diarada – Bridget Kelly
The overall 2019 Young Horse Champion was awarded to Cera Diarada (by Diarado out of a Clearway mare) ridden and owned by Bridget Kelly, so well deserved! Congratulations to the committee, sponsors, and competitors on another great Young Horse Show.
