NZ course designer helps Adelaide Royal deliver the goods

ABOVE: The most successful young horse GC Courante ridden by James Harvey, champion senior rider Hugh Buchanan, champion senior horse Dada Des Brimbelles Z ridden by Gemma Creighton Buchanan and best performed South Australian rider Kristy Bruhn with the voice of showjumping in South Australia, Tad McCean. Picture: TY MANNING

THE 2024 Royal Adelaide Show’s show jumping competition has once again proven why it is considered one of Australia’s premier equestrian events.

With its highly acclaimed jumping surface and a field of top-tier riders, the show delivered a week of competitive and high-quality performances.

The Adelaide Showgrounds’ jumping surface is widely praised by competitors as one of the best in Australia.

Its superior quality provided reliable and consistent going each day of competition, contributing to the event’s success, and allowing both horse and rider to perform at their best.

While the number of participants was smaller than usual in the Part One and Part Two events, the level of competition remained exceptionally high. Riders from across South Australia and interstate showcased their skills, bringing a notable standard of excellence to the arena.

Course builder Donella Still, from New Zealand, earned considerable respect for her work throughout the week.

Still’s courses were celebrated for their balance between challenge and approachability. Her designs included technical elements that tested the capabilities of both horse and rider, while also ensuring the courses remained jumpable as the competition progressed.

This thoughtful approach kept the competition engaging and saw a majority of the competitors jumping through to the final day of competition.

ABOVE: Gary Kermond and Tulara Casciado. Picture: TY MANNING

ABOVE: Kurt Siviour riding Danson Annabelle. Picture: TY MANNING

The major awards of the show highlighted some remarkable achievements.

The most successful senior showjumping rider of the show went to Hugh Buchanan, with the junior award going to Holly Grant.

The most successful senior showjumping horse of the show was taken out by Lind Huddy’s nomination Dada Des Brimbelles Z ridden by Gemma Creighton Buchanan.

The most successful junior showjumping horse was Dornamour, ridden by Emmy Ravenscroft.

James Harvey again returned this year with GC Courante, which took out the award for best performed young horse.

With South Australian riders featuring in the placings of most classes throughout the show the most successful senior South Australian showjumping rider went to Kristy Bruhn with her horse Viva Baluna.

ABOVE: South Australia junior riders Shane Tweddle, Millie Quigley-Smith, Ella Manning and Macy Watson who between them featured prominently in each of the placegetter’s lineups each day. Picture: TY MANNING

ABOVE: Bronwyn Shortt, also featured on the big screen, had a successful debut at her first royal show on Desert Sands Cavalino. Picture: TY MANNING

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