Hermes International Showjumping Challenge
Story - Anna Sharpley
'The best thing to happen to Australian showjumping'. It's certainly a big statement, however, the inaugural Hermès Challenge, held last October, was undoubtedly the beginning of a new era in Australian showjumping.
Held adjacent to the famous Sydney Cricket Ground at leafy Moore Park in central Sydney, the Hermès Challenge combined European style and elegance with the best Australia has to offer. The Hermès village was a shoppers' dream (even if one's shopping was of the window variety). Strolling entertainers and musicians kept the browsers entertained all day.
Jean-Louis Dumas, President of Hermès International hosted the day, and in his welcoming speech promised continued Hermès support for Australian showjumping.
Princes Haya Bint al-Hussein of Jordan (well known in Australia as the new owner of 'showjumper extraordinaire' Scandal) was the guest of honour.
A very well stage-managed programme including a carriage driving display, a dressage demonstration (courtesy of the NSW Dressage Council) and of course the main event - the Hermès Challenge Grand Prix, kept the capacity corporate boxes and public seating very well entertained.
Sixteen of Australia's best riders were joined by internationals Gilles Bertran de Balanda from France, Canada's Jay Hayes, Hirokazu Higashira from Japan and Singaporean Peter Abishagenaden, to contest the Grand Prix.
Course designer Graeme Watts produced the perfect result. After two rounds, four remained faultless to fill the four placings.
The jump-off was short and exciting, with Western Australian Sharon Scott riding her sensational grey Thoroughbred gelding Jox into first place. George Sanna was second with everybody's favourite showjumper Turfmaster, Chris Chadwick and Jurassic Park were third. Canadian Jay Hayes certainly put in the catch ride of the day to be placed fourth riding Michelle Lang's Odds On.
Sport today needs corporate sponsorship to survive. Hermès introduced showjumping to a wider corporate community which can only benefit the sport in Australia. Hermès' long tern commitment is of enormous importance to Australian showjumping, creating the necessary momentum for Sydney 2000.
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