IN PICTURES: Lisa Williams jumps to victory in 2021 SA Adult Derby

To clear the 1.50m course of the South African Showjumping Derby is an impressive feat in itself, and for Lisa Williams riding Protein Feeds Campbell, it’s what it took to win the prestigious title this year.

Williams and Protein Feeds Campbell were sixth to go in the class of 22 horse-and-rider combinations in the 2021 United Aviation Group South African Adult Derby held in the Bob Charter Arena at Kyalami Park Equestrian on October 3.

As always, the competition was stiff with many top riders vying for the title. Among the competitors were Rainer Korber riding Back On Track Clouny 3 – who won the last derby in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic – and Nicole Horwood who’s the only rider to have won the derby for three consecutive years.

When Williams and Protein Feeds Campbell entered the arena, the competition was still wide open. Two riders had been disqualified for refusals, one had retired and the two others had amassed a few faults. The bell sounded and off went Williams and Protein Feeds Campbell.

Fence after fence, they jumped clear until they rode through the finish flags to huge applause – none as big as that of Campbell’s groom who jumped for joy at the side of the arena. The pair had successfully cleared the course within the time limit which put them in first place.

The riders who followed tried but didn’t succeed in matching Williams’ clear round. When the final competitor – the highest qualifier – Ronnie Lawrence riding Gillian van Orshof retired after accumulating 12 faults, it was evident the victory belonged to Williams and Protein Feeds Campbell. This rider and horse share a special partnership – they’ve won many accolades together and have also competed overseas. This is the second time Williams has clinched the derby title.

Korber riding Back On Track Clouny 3, first-time derby competitor Desiree Davidson riding Regenesis Vet Le Cadeau as well as Ronnie Healy riding Hausberger’s Eldo, all put up a tough fight in the competition, riding through the finish flags with just four faults each. This put them in joint second place.

Healy and Hausberger’s Eldo – who were the second-highest to qualify for the derby – were awarded the Victor Ludorum for the 1.50m showjumping class at the show.

Kyalami Park Club chairperson and course designer Anne-Marie Esslinger said she was ‘ecstatic’ with the one clear round, saying she thought it was a ‘classical derby result’.

Talk to the group editor… Did you compete in the derby? Do you want to congratulate any of the competitors? Drop an email to daniellap@caxton.co.za