2014 Nissan Winter Classic Attracts Cream of the Crop
KYALAMI - Show jumper Nicole Horwood who has won the South African Derby twice at Kyalami Equestrian Park is stepping up as a favourite in the main class for the Nissan Winter Classic.
The hotly contested event features South Africa’s top show jumpers, all of whom are scheduled to compete between 12 and 16 June at Durban Shongweni Club in KwaZulu-Natal.
The winter classic is part of the FEI World Cup Qualifier Series and gives local riders a chance to show their skills at an international level.
“All of South Africa’s top riders have entered the show and past champions include Lorette Knowles-Taylor, Shaun Neil and Jodi Pieters,” said spokesperson, Jodi Wolhuter.
“Nicole Horwood on either one of her top horses, Mark White Nissan Capital Don Comarco or Capital Colnardo, is going to be hard to beat. She has big match temperament and has won most major events throughout South Africa over the past year. She really is in top form,” Wolhunter added.
Horwood will be far from unopposed, with the 2014 Classic set to have the highest level of competition to date.
“The classes are full to capacity, and the horses and riders are just getting better each year. A lot of this year’s riders have purchased horses from overseas, and their level of riding is up to an international standard,” said Wolhuter.
“The courses will be built by Andreas Hollmann from Germany, who is absolutely top class and builds for shows all over Europe,” she added.
With a prize pool of more than R250 000 and the country’s top riders contesting, the 2014 Nissan Winter Classic is not an event you want to miss.
