The Victorian State Showjumping Titles wrapped up a big weekend in Shepparton on Sunday, with local riders walking away with some success of their own.
Hundreds of horses and their teams showcased their wares across the three-day carnival at Shepparton’s WB Hunter Reserve, with the main event and biggest prize claimed by Whittlesea’s Russell Johnson on Sunday afternoon.
However, Goulburn Valley riders would not leave empty-handed, with local business owner and Northern Victorian Show Jumping Club (NVSJC) member Stuart Abrahams taking out the top gong in his field.
With a starting jump height of 120cm, Abrahams — who also previously served as the president of the NVSJC — took out the Class 18B prize on Sunday with a $250 award on board Vainqueur.
Abrahams was willing to admit more than a small slice of fortune along the way.
“You need luck no matter what you do,” Abrahams said.
“You can go to shows and sometimes you’ll hit a rail and it comes down, whereas other times it might just stay up.
“My horses jumped well all weekend, but Lady Luck has a lot to do with it as well as skill.
“They would have started at just over a metre on the first day, but the best horses would have gone up to at least a metre and a half.”
With events kicking off at 7.30am on all three days, an estimated 500 horses jumping on each daily schedule and up to 12 hours of competition across the Friday, Abrahams paid tribute to the enormous commitment undertaken by riders and staff.
“It was a huge success, having riders come from places like Sydney and Canberra,” Abrahams said.
“The weather wasn’t too bad, but it started to heat up Sunday, which took a toll on the riders.
“It was a big success for Shepparton. I don’t know if there are many sports in the town that attract Olympic-calibre competitors with the very top people coming in.”
Abrahams, who operates Shepparton’s Saddleworld branch, was not the only local to come out with a placing.
His event boasted a Goulburn Valley one-two finish.
“Second in my class was another local in Adam Prime from Rochester,” Abrahams said.
“My daughter also finished first in the children’s competition, so we jumped well.
“It’s always good to win a prestige show and if you’re going to win, you’d like to win at your local show.”