Saturday at Thunderbird Show Park, things came in threes.
Georgia Knight (CAN) bested a three-horse jump-off to win a third consecutive U25 competition in the Thunderbird Arena, completing a clean sweep of the division at the April Season Opener. She left all the jumps up over Chris Jones’ 1.40m first round track with all three of her horses, ultimately taking a third win with her longtime partner, Ecolano vs Romano, affectionately known as “Romeo.”
No one was able to jump double-clear on the day, but Knight was fastest among the three four-fault performers in the jump-off. The winning time was 48.72 seconds. Jillz and Natalie Popham (CAN) finished second (4/49.29s), with Knight also third aboard Indy (51.9s).
“It’s just such a great way to start off the season. I can’t wait for May and the rest of the U25 classes,” Knight exclaimed. “I’m so happy to be doing it—competing in these classes on the horses I have, especially Romeo; he’s just so special. And after having him for two years, it just really means a lot to be able to have these wins on him.”
Knight jumped off first aboard Indy, a newer and younger mount that Knight only began showing in February. The mare had an early rail over the short course and gave Knight valuable intel for her second ride—her experienced ace.
“I meant to turn inside after jump three, but I got a bit flat to that. Luckily [Indy] left it up, but I decided not to turn inside there. Then I went inside on Romeo, and I think that’s where I made up the time—and galloping to [jump] five.
“This is the biggest track I have jumped on [Indy], and I’m honestly most proud of jumping clear [in the first round] with her,” she added. “I’m working on everything with her. She’s so different from my other horses.”
Knight plans to continue jumping in the MarBill Hill U25 division this season at tbird, with the goal of representing Canada at the North American Youth Championships at the end of the summer.
“I’m going to keep riding, and I’ll see where it takes me,” she said.
MarBill Hill U25 1.40m
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time
1. Ecolano VS Romano / Georgia Knight / CAN / Georgia Knight / 0/4 48.72
2. Jillz / Natalie Popham / CAN / Natalie Popham / 0/4 49.29
3. Indy / Georgia Knight / CAN / Georgia Knight / 0/4 51.9
4. Ero del Pierre / Georgia Knight / CAN / Georgia Knight / 0/WD
5. Cella / Colby Winther Konig / CAN / Taylor Winther / 4 85.08
6. Canberre 59 / Sloane Betker / CAN / 4 85.67
7. Lestat OLD / Ashley Arnoldt / CAN / Jennifer Arnoldt / 12 88.35
8. Nuovo Supremo / Jessa Rae Girard / CAN / Jessa Rae Girard / 42 128.59
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