Kermond wins Senior Jumping Title in a Thriller
Sunday, 22 September 2013

22 September 2013 - The Australian Show Jumping Championships for 2013 concluded in dramatic fashion late Sunday with the crowning of New South Wales rider Jamie Kermond as this year's senior Australian Show Jumping Champion.

The battle for the title was forced to a two way jump off against the clock after the Grand Prix concluded and Kermond and his mount Caracas and Queensland rider Clem Smith and Guru were on eight penalties a piece.

When Smith came out first and had a rail down the title was Kermond’s for the taking and he rode his mount to victory by a delivering clear and seemingly effortless round.

Leading into Sunday's final Kermond's elite squad mount Colthaga was considered one of the favourites for the title but the mare had a refusal in the first round and did not come out to contest the second.

Course designer Frederic Cottier, who is also the course designer for next year's World Equestrian Games, produced a tough track that produced just one other clear round which came from South Australian Tim Clarke and Caltango.

Reigning senior champions Tom McDermott and Romantic Dream could not replicate their performance from last year but the day wasn’t all a disappointment for McDermott after he narrowly defeated Kiwi rider Bridget Hansen to defend his title in the Young Rider class.

When McDermott won the Young Rider title he was on track to replicate his performance from 2012 where he won both the senior and young rider titles, but Romantic Dream incurred 16 jumping penalties in the first round putting the title out of reach for the 20 year old.

In the junior division it was the Tripp sisters of New South Wales who took top honours with 15 year old Jessica taking the crown ahead of older sister Samantha who was runner-up.

Full results from the event are available at http://www.asjc.equestrian.org.au