The Aquis Champions Tour showjumping event has concluded at Elysian Fields at Canungra on Sunday (May 6) with a narrow win by rider Merrick Ubank after he rode Alantinus to win the Pryde’s EasiFeed Gold Tour Final on Sunday in front of an excited crowd.
Ubank scored the win by just .35 of a second from Clint Beresford and Emmaville Jitterbug to claim the first prize of $35,000 in the richest event on the Australian Jumping calendar.
More than 300 of Australia’s best showjumpers have competed on the Gold Coast in a nine-day program for more than $340,000 in total prize money at the third annual Aquis Champions Tour.
Competition manager Michelle McMahon was delighted with the quality of competition at the prestigious event.
“Over the course of the program we’ve seen some spectacular jumping and tough competition with competitors from all Australian states and international entrants from Japan and New Zealand. Elysian Fields has been a first-class venue and this has been reflected in the quality of this elite event.”
The Coolmore Silver Tour was won by Stephen Dingwell riding Cavalier Du Rouet, just .06 of a second ahead of Tom McDermott and Elegance De La Charmille. McDermott had paid double entry fee for the chance to win triple prizemoney, which resulted in him winning $12,000 for this class.
McDermott riding Alpha Activity then went on to win the hard-fought IRT Bronze Tour. He beat Chris Chugg and KG Queenie with a huge gallop to the last fence for another $10,500 in prizemoney.
The junior championship was won by Jess Rice-Ward riding Dusky Farm Cavalier, while the amateur championship went to Morgan Daniel and Aladino. Jessie O’Connell rode Cassis Z Ten Halven to win the young rider championship.
The final event of the day is always a crowd favourite and this year did not disappoint. The winner of the Gollan Racing Speed Derby with an impressive clear 84.68 seconds was Clint Beresford riding SL Donato.
Second place went to Katie Laurie riding Cera Caruso and third was the entertaining Ron Easey riding Simplistic with a time of 87.49. Spread over almost 500 acres of prime pristine rural land at Canungra on the Gold Coast hinterland Elysian Fields features polo fields, show jumping facilities and acres of riding and relaxation country, plus luxury accommodation.
The facility, which has previously hosted a concert by Elton John, is the home of the biggest prize money show jumping competitions ever held in Queensland and the location for the highest level of polo tournaments ever played in Queensland.
Gold Tour Final top 10 placings:
|
PLACE |
RIDER NAME |
HORSE NAME |
PRIZE MONEY |
|
1st |
Merrick Ubank |
Alantinus |
$35,000 |
|
2nd |
Clint Beresford |
Emmaville Jitterbug |
$25,000 |
|
3rd |
Amber Fuller |
CP Aretino |
$20,000 |
|
4th |
Ally Lamb |
Diamond B Corsica |
$17,500 |
|
5th |
Katie Laurie |
Casebrooke Lomond |
$12,500 |
|
6th |
David Cameron |
RR Dyranta |
$5,000 |
|
7th |
Steven Hill |
Yalambi’s Bellini Star |
$4,000 |
|
8th |
Brooke Langbecker |
Quintago 1 |
$3,000 |
|
9th |
Gabrielle Kuna |
Cera Cassiago |
$2,000 |
|
10th |
Billy Raymont |
Anton |
$1,000 |