Adventure News: Derby Season is Upon Us

Adventure News: Derby Season is Upon Us - Ndorfin, South Africa

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Thursday, 30 August 2012
Derby Season is Upon Us

Pictured: Sylvia Dixon, Cameron Dawson & Travis Dawson
(Photo: Tamara & Blake Images)

Derby fever has once again hit the Show Jumping scene in South Africa and thousands of people from all over the country wait in anticipation for one of the biggest events on the sporting calendar, The Avis Derby.

Kicking off the season with a bang was the KZN Sappi Derby held at the beginning of August that saw 18 year old Kerry Muir ride to victory on her horse Branderburg Chansellor � the only pair to produce a double clear round over the long track.

�I've been riding for 5 years and got into the sport when I moved to Durban. I knew quite a few people who were riding and I've always wanted to ride ever since I was a little girl. I really couldn't be happier with my horse, he jumped so well for me� commented Muir.

Following this event was the recent Pony Rider and Junior SA Derby where riders under the age of 18 descended on the Kyalami Equestrian Park in Gauteng to compete in the second largest Derby event in the country.

Cameron Dawson riding his pony La Audience stepped onto the winner�s podium after winning the Pony Rider Open SA Derby for a second year running. Sylvia Dixon and Gold Rush pocketed second place whilst Travis Dawson (Cameron�s brother) secured a well-deserved third spot.

�I knew I would never live it down if my brother beat me, so I went as fast as I could to make sure!� commented Cameron.

In addition, the Junior Open SA Derby provided much excitement as two of Gauteng�s top junior riders Chelsey Gertenbach and Cinzia Pasteris secured clear rounds, resulting in a two way jump-off against the clock.

After a faultless, speedy round from Pasteris the pressure was on Gertenbach to deliver. However, once fence down meant the new 2012 SA Junior Derby title went to Cinzia Pasteris and her supermare Cleopatra.

�This was my first Derby win on Cleopatra who I got in March last year. Since then we have won the Easter Festival, the Junior Festival, GHS Champs, the Equitation and Jumping Championships of South Africa 2011 and now Derby! Cleopatra is amazing and I would like to say thank you to my trainer Anne-Marie Esslinger and well done to my fellow competitors� commented Pasteris.

Placing second was Chelsey Gertenbach riding Al Rosario and third place went to Shari Navra on Aristoteles.

The outstanding success of these past two events leave us with much excitement for the upcoming Avis Derby, set to commence on the 3rd of October 2012.

Tickets for this event can be purchased at Computicket: http://travel.computicket.com/web/event/avis_derby_saturday_general_access/655053539/0/49258856/

Cinzia Pasteris (Photo: Tamara & Blake Images)