Nissan Winter Classic ends on a high
Nissan Winter Classic ends on a high note with Gauteng-based rider,
Johan Kachelhoffer, claiming the title.
With a record number of entries and spectators alike, the Nissan Winter Classic 2013 (13-17 June) ended on a high note with a new victor, Johan Kachelhoffer (Kylami, Gauteng), sweeping up a first place in the 1.50m Nissan World Cup Competition, the 1.40m Nissan Championship as well as joint first place in the Nissan 6 bar competition.
The Nissan Winter Classic, held at the magnificent Durban Shongweni Club, is the third leg of the FEI World Cup Qualifier competitions. All competing riders accumulate points in the hopes of being crowned the 2013 World Cup top qualifier. The overall winner is granted the privilege to represent South Africa in next year’s Equestrian World Cup, which is to be held in France.
German course designer, Andreas Hollmann, once again delivered a challenging and testing course that put South Africa’s top equestrian athletes to the test. Swedish judge, Anna Lindqvist, was also on board to ensure that all courses and riders were to international standards, allowing spectators of the four-day showjumping extravaganza to be treated to world-class action over the wintery warm weekend.
The star of the show, undoubtedly, was Johan Kachelhoffer who, after a spectacular double clear, claimed first place in the prestigious 1.50 Nissan World Cup Competitions on Capital Shiraz as well as first place in the Nissan 1.40 Championship on Capital Castigo on the fifth and final day of the competition. Kachelfhoffer, along with Emma Garson (Gauteng) and Johan Lotter (Gauteng) also wowed the crowd by clearing a massive 1.90m in the Nissan 6 bar competition on Sunday.
Other riders who also were on form and won their respective classes included Lexi Stais (Gauteng) in the 1.35m CIB Insurance Administrators KwaZulu-Natal Open Championship, Debbie Last in the 1.30 Alusys Championships and Laurence Mowatt (Gauteng) in the Superclean KwaZulu-Natal Junior Open Championship. This year also saw the introduction of Pony Rider classes whose 1/1.10 PR Nissan Championship was won by Tatum Olivier.
Top showjumper and show holder, Grant Langely, was thrilled at the show’s results: “This year’s Nissan Winter Classic has proven, once again, that KwaZulu-Natal has the competitive edge to produce a show of an international calibre. Not only were we able to accommodate close to 600 entries, but with an international course designer and showjumping judge, we have set the bar for showjumping competitions in South Africa to follow. We could never have achieved this without out sponsors whose generosity and enthusiasm set the tone for the entire show. I would like to say a huge thank you to Nissan, CIB Insurance Administrators, Alusys Aluminium Systems, Super Clean, Epol (Pty) Ltd, Cipla Vet (Pty) Lty, Kuda Insurance, Spec Savers, Super Codlivine and Blue Chip as well as our officials and helpers who gave of their time to make the show a success”.
For more information about the Nissan Winter Classic, visit the KwaZulu-Natal Horse Society website at www.kznhs.co.za.
Nissan Winter Classic 2013 Results
1.50 Nissan World Cup Competition
1. Johan Kachelhoffer
2. Anne-Marie Esslinger
3. Nicole Sime
1.40 Nissan Championship
1. Johan Kachelhoffer
2. Barry Taylor
3. Gareth Neill
1.35 CIB Insurance Administrators KwaZulu-Natal Open Championships
1. Lexi Stais
2. Tracy Davids
3. Jahan Kachelhoffer
1.30 Alusys Championships
1. Debbie Last
2. Katelyn Lepart
3. Lauren Jansen
1.30 Super Clean KwaZulu-Natal Open Junior Championship
1. Lawrence Mowatt
2. Tyla Radermacher
3. Vasti Theron
1.00/1.10 Pony Rider Nissan Championship
1. Tatum Olivier
2. Hanna Garton
3. Yanke Rautenbach
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