At just 16, Locklyn Williamson made his U25 division debut this year at Thunderbird Show Park and his first season couldn’t have ended on a better note.
Aboard the 11-year-old Westphalian stallion Cassandro B, he posted the only double clear in the MarBill Hill U25 Grand Prix, presented by Solaris Equestrian, on Sunday. It was the final U25 class of the season and Williamson’s career best finish to date. Sloane Betker and Canberre took second and Natalie Popham and Jillz third.
“I’ve never really won in class like this, so it feels great!” said Williamson.
Betker set the time to beat in Joey Rycroft’s 1.40m short course in a speedy 34.37 seconds but caught a rail at the penultimate Maui Jim vertical to add four faults to the scoreboard. Popham and Jillz dropped four rails in the jump off, clocking in at 36.34.
It came down to Williamson. As the final pair to return, the junior rider held his composure and delivered a smooth clear to clinch the title.
“I don’t really get nervous. I really trust my horses and I trust my riding. And I’m pretty confident,” he said, noting that his strategy was to play it easy.
“I was trying to ride [the jump off] like a first round or like I already had a mistake. I was just taking it easy on him. He jumped a lot this week already, so I just wanted it to be easy.”
Cassandro B is a newer mount for Williamson. Previously campaigned by Great Britain’s Nicole Lockhead Anderson up to the 1.50m height, the stunning stallion joined Williamson’s string earlier this year. It’s a partnership that’s taken time to gel.
“We got along really well in the barn,” said Williamson, describing the stallion as “super happy” and “really smart.”
“It started off pretty rough with the jumping. He’s not really like my other horses. He really takes me to the jumps and I’m not quite used to that. So it was really fun getting along with him but we’re getting there now [in the show ring].”
The pair started to hit their stride mid-season at tbird, winning a 1.40 Jr/Am class at the West Coast Classic in June and a 1.35m Open Jumper class at the Western Family in July. As of Sunday, they now have a U25 Grand Prix win on their record as well.
It’s a trajectory Williamson hopes to refine over the winter. He’s aiming to compete to the North American Youth Championships next year.
MarBill Hill U25 Grand Prix 1.40m
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time
1. Cassandro B / Locklyn Williamson / CAN / Graham Williamson / 0/0 41.42
2. Canberre / Sloane Betker / CAN / Sloane Betker / 0/4 34.37
3. Jillz / Natalie Popham / CAN / Natalie Popham / 0/16 36.34
4. Gryffindor de Hay / Dylan Munro / CAN / Attache Stables / 4 70.23
5. Indiana II / Sloane Betker / CAN / Samantha Vanderwoude / 4 74.44
6. ESI Jet Set / Carly Stevens / CAN / Susan Stevens / 4 74.61
7. Parabell Jmen / Eric Krawitt / CAN / Claire Wen / 8 66.26
8. Princessa / Serenity Enders / CAN / Joyce Enders / 12 71.07
9. Cella / Taylor Winther / CAN / Taylor Winther / 12 74.36
10. Lestat OLD / Ashley Arnoldt / CAN / Jennifer Arnoldt / 12 77.28
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