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Vaz wins Hi-Pro grand prix

Published:Sunday | March 27, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Johnathan Vaz blazes over the jumps on Shabba Ranks to win the first leg of the Hi-Pro grand prix with a clear round in a time of 54.51 seconds. - Contributed
Ponderosa riders, trained by Betty Wates, swept all four classes of the first leg of the Equestrian Federation of Jamaica's jumping competition. From left: Jason Walter (super league), Frankie Chin (high league), Seyan Johnston (medium league) and Alex Chin (low league). The competition was held on March 19 at the Kingston Polo Club and Equestrian Centre.
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Johnathan Vaz won the Hi-Pro-sponsored equestrian grand prix at the Kingston Polo and Equestrian Centre on March 19.

Vaz blazed over the jumps with a brilliant clear round on his veteran showjumping horse Shabba Ranks. Adam Lake placed second on his horse Alex, and Justin Vaz placed third on Cassanova after a wild jump-off which was unanimously cheered on by the spectators at the end with Lake sailing clear over the jumps leaving Justin Vaz with eight faults for third place.

Equestrians Jason Walter, Adam Lake and Gabriella Ralston made a super attempt to clear the new heights of 1.30 metres set by the Equestrian Federation of Jamaica (EFJ) at the first EFJ Jumping League competition.

There are four leagues with four classes which will take place during the year. The low (0.80m), the medium (0.95m), the high (1.10m) and the super league (h 1.30m). "This super league course was designed by the EFJ to encourage our young riders to aspire to more challenging heights which will give them the training and confidence to compete at a certain standard locally and internationally," Betty Wates, vice-president of the EFJ, said.

Lame horse

Adam Lake placed second on his horse Alex in the Super League and, unfortunately, Ralston, who placed third, had to retire her horse due to it going lame just before the second round.

Alex Chin comfortably won the low league with two clear rounds on her horse Hanna. Clair Schwapp on Goofy placed second and Victoria Jones was third.

The medium league had Seyan Johnston with two clear rounds on speed demon Domino. Trina deLisser, a veteran showjumper, placed second on her grey, Ashes, and in third place was Jordon Williams, in a new class and on a new horse - Phonenix, whose muscles she has begun to flex to soar higher.

The high league winner was Frankie Chin on Jiggy, with Justin Vaz placing second on his young horse, Cassanova, and Trina deLisser third on the stunning Otis.

Last year, Jordon Williams won the low league on Braveheart, Johnathan Vaz won the medium league on Ali Baba, and Jason Walter won the high league on Shambal.

The second leg of the league will be on Saturday, April 30 at the Kingston Polo Club and Equestrian Centre, where admission will be free.