Correia and Emmerson steal the show

Philip Correia and his stallion Emmerson were the star performers at the FEI World Jumping Challenge 2013 at the National Equestrian Centre at Vesey Street this weekend.

Correia emerged victorious after an exciting final round of jumping.

After the first two rounds on Saturday there was a three-way tie for first place, with Correia  and Emmerson, Claire Howard on Just a Rose, and defending champion Michael Rodrigues on Southern Eclipse all completing two clear rounds.

In the first of two rounds held on Sunday morning, Correia and Emmerson had one rail down, giving them four faults after three rounds, while a clear round each from Howard and Rodrigues ensured the final round would be crucial.

And so it proved. Correia was first up and went clear, giving him a total of four faults. Rodrigues then put two rails down to finish with eight faults, leaving Howard with the chance for an overall win with a clear round.

But it was not to be as she put one rail down to give her a total of four faults and tied with Correia. First place was, therefore, decided by the times of the second and fourth and, with Correia being 16 seconds faster, he sealed the win.

The category B competition was not quite as close, although there was some good jumping with Vicki Steele emerging the worthy winner with four clear rounds on LA Baltic Star. Second was Tyler Lopes on Baileys Bay with eight faults total and third was Stephanie Wilkinson on Esquire with sixteen faults.

Winners of each division were awarded prizes donated by Noahs Ark Feed and Supply, with Correia receiving the Aon Trophy and Steele the Nightmare Trophy.

The overseas FEI judge for the competition was Chrystine Tauber from Wellington, Florida. She was assisted by local FEI judge Paul Pereech. The team now awaits the results from competitions being held in Caribbean countries to see how they compare overall.