VICTORIAN jumping rider Ally Lamb kicked off the new year in style by winning the Futurity Championship at the Bega Cup Showjumping Spectacular.
Riding the fancy grey gelding Silverton, Lamb jumped a fast clear round against the clock to finish ahead of Phil Stephens, from Warragul, riding Unleashed.
Lamb and Silverton were also runners-up in the prestigious Bega Mini Prix, to Kane Chester, the son of Sydney Olympian Gavin Chester, riding Warlord II.
The same horse previously helped Gavin Chester to wins in five World Cup qualifying classes before campaigning the horse in the US.
The Bega Cup Showjumping Spectacular attracted more than 200 jumping riders from across Australia over the New Year's weekend.
Jamie Smith, from Bega, won the featured Caltex Bega Showjumping Cup grand prix, riding the evergreen Mr Witter.
The pair also won the 1.30m warm-up class.
Grant Hughes, from Canberra, won the 1.40m jump-off class riding Yakity Yak, while Jamie Grant, also from Canberra, won the C-grade riding Oaks Vedette and the A and B-grade championship riding Cook K.
Albury's Todd Hinde won the Bega Speed championship, riding Kallenia Spooks.
Les Symons, from Bermagui, won the C and D-grade championship riding Sym Fairmont.
Georgina Lucas, from Tumut, won the D-grade championship riding Star Peptalk.
Craig Matthews, from Bega, won the junior championship riding True Illusion, while Zoe Boulton, from Sale, won the young rider championship, riding Gotta Go Go.
Tony Erickson, from Jingellic, won the open six-bar riding Falcon, from local Sandra Kenny, riding Grandejuer.
Freshman's Jumping Day
THE Melbourne Showjumping Club will host a Freshman's Jumping Day this Saturday at the Oaklands Hunt Club, at Somerton. For details, phone Jenny Muir on (03) 9714 8340.
