Story and photos by Rebecca Ashton
When I arrived at The Polo Fields in Richmond, just west of Sydney, I was greeted by Jamie Kermond’s mum, Sue, who was manning the entrance of the VIP tent. The two Jamies (Kermo and fiancée Jamie Winning) were in the arena, moving jumps and organising riders – in between competing their own horses. Show organiser, Kerrie Winning was over securing an arena fence that had fallen down, while husband John (Woody) was chatting to a trade stand owner. It was all hands on deck to produce one of the most picturesque shows on the Australian showjumping calendar.
The Winnings have been running the event since 2010 and each year try to improve on the last show. The mission statement is to bring a bit of Europe to Australia. The VIP tent had poster photos of horses with the Eiffel Tower, French flags were on the lunchtime sliders and even the entertainment was French flavoured, but more on that later…
I grabbed Kermo at the end of play on Saturday to find out how things had been going.
“We started setting up almost two weeks before. The marquee is on about 1000 pallets so we had to stack all of them.”
“In trying to bring Europe to an Australian horse show, I think the surface is really important. The grounds are polo fields so they’re absolutely amazing to ride on, but the polo people like their ground a little bit firmer than we do. We need a little bit more give in it so we’ve been trying to get the grounds right. Peter and Bec Higgins who own the grounds have been working with us and been really good in letting us water the arenas. They even set up new pumps for us. It’s a big job.”
“Leading into the show, Dave the ground manager was out irrigating but there was 20-30mm of rain planned for Monday. We couldn’t get it too wet so we stopped irrigating but then after the rain, the temperature was up near 30C and the wind has blowing sideways so we couldn’t irrigate during the day anyway. So we were getting up at the crack of dawn before it got windy and at night and we only had one irrigator. I think we stopped irrigating at about 11:30 last night and I got home to sleep at 01:00 to be up at 04:00!”
Sharon Slater and CP Aprilla, winners of the Winning Group FEI 2* World Cup Qualifier
“I think the jumping through the week has been fantastic. The riders who have managed their horses well went well, like Sharon Slater – who won the World Cup qualifier – who managed her horse perfectly. She started in the smaller class early, jumped really nicely in the middle class and set the horse up perfectly for today’s win. So, that’s part of us trying to bring Europe here, to have the classes set up to warm the horses up.”
“We’re trying to get other people involved as well. We got to know Frank Rothenberger (top German course designer) a bit while we were in Europe and he was fantastic in helping me get into a lot of shows. We also went to his factory where he makes his jumps and we were able to work out with Woody and Kerrie to have some jumps brought out. They’re of European standard and I think they’ve added to the show and to get Frank to come out and build them himself, he’s one of the biggest names in the sport, so it’s massive to get him here. He’s also a really nice guy. It’s actually his birthday today.”
Todd Hinde is Kerrie’s ‘righthand man’ and fellow event director and according to Kermo has done “A power of work”.
Todd did get a little payoff, as he told me, he gets to drive a Maserati…
Clint Beresford and Emmaville Jitterbug, second in the World Cup Qualifier
How do you secure sponsors like Maserati?
“That came through a connection in the horse industry. Joel from Maserati came onboard last year and he was happy so joined in again this year. We have four cars here.”
Have you taken any of them for a spin?
“I’m the only one here allowed to drive them. I won’t let anyone else near them! Joel’s response this afternoon was that it is bigger and better than last year. If we can get that response every year, we’re happy.”
You changed to a five-day format this year…
“Five days has worked well. It’s more work to organise but it’s less stress for the riders. We’re sitting here now at 17:00, the day’s finished, all the riders are over feeding their horses and they have time to have a shower and change before the night entertainment. It’s not just rush, rush. It’s also worked quite well having one ring running at a time so the crowd can see all of it.”
“We’re a CSI 2* show for ranking purposes and we’ve increased the prize money this year to gain maximum points that a 2* can get. We want riders to be riding at these quality shows here so that when they go to Europe to qualify for the Olympics or WEG, they don’t have to go over for 12 months prior. They have enough points and enough experience here jumping international course builders’ tracks so they go over prepared.”
Third place in the World Cup Qualifier, Robert Goodwin and Co Pilot
The event caters for the social set as well as those who just want a fun, free day out. The setting is perfect and spectators can be right up close and personal with the horses and riders at the edge of the arena or further back in the shade of the big top, with its seating and bar. Those in the VIP section also get to be involved. Stephen Lamb explains, “The riders in the Grand Prix were randomly allocated to a particular VIP table. That table walked the course with that rider so they get a bit of an insight. Then the table of the winning rider won a night out on the harbour on Woody’s boat, on the JDW. It’s a fully catered night.”
“That gave the spectators someone to really cheer for. We also had something for the individuals. You put your name in a hat and each rider got a random spectator and the winning rider’s spectator won $500 worth of appliances from Winnings.”
Kerrie and John Winning are simply the most down to earth, lovely people you’ll ever meet. They are totally committed to improving showjumping in Australia. I wanted to know where they got their inspiration.
John: “My sport is sailing, so I’m only on the sidelines with the jumping. My wife is a great volunteer and she worked with people at other shows. We always get that, ‘We’re in Australia so we can’t do this and we can’t do that.’ We were a little bit more, ‘Well why can’t we?’ For Kerrie it’s about creating the atmosphere. We’re always told you have to go to Europe to get the atmosphere and crowds.”
“Ultimately Kerrie would like to do one at the Opera House. Whether we live long enough for that, I don’t know! We live in Rose Bay and there’s a park where the old flying boats used to land. You can look up to the Bridge. We’ve spoken to the council and they were quite positive. It would only be a boutique show. When you have the guests of sponsors who are non-horse people, one class is about enough for them. If you bring them in for the main class, feed them, give them little bit of entertainment… yesterday they arrived at 11:30 and were walking out at 16:00.”
Is that why you decided on five days?
“Yes and because we wanted the main class to be on Saturday. Usually your World Cup Qualifiers are on Sunday. All your serious people are there but all you see behind are trucks driving out because they need to be in Melbourne in the morning. We still had the Silver final today, which is still a serious class.”
Winners of the Centuria Capital FEI 2* Silver Final, Dave Cameron and Nicolette
What ideas did you get from overseas?
“We went to the Glock Show this year. You’d go there just to see the toilets… there’s lounges, screens with live feeds where you wash your hands… you’re struggling to find the toilet! Your coffee comes with the chocolate on top in the shape of a Glock gun. All those little attentions to detail.”
“It’s not a business. I don’t know if this will cost me $20,000 or $30,000. There will still be a shortfall, but we believe, you have to become an event. You get the right people and you get the big sponsors like Hermès and Louis Vuitton. It’s the fact that they can offer their clients something special. You have to become an event worth going to, then they will buy a table because they can offer something to their clients that is a bit different and special, whether they’re into horses or not. They’re there because it’s a place to be seen. That’s what they have in Europe. They have the Sheiks and the Princesses… it’s the place to be.”
Kerrie takes up the Glock theme: “I couldn’t get the live stream in the mirror of the toilet this year. I might have left my run a bit late for that! The main thing is to bring European course builders and judges to us. It’s a lot easier to bring one or two people here rather than to fly everyone over there. It allows our riders to have that sort of experience without forking out all that money to start with. They’ll eventually have to go over if they want to go on, but this show follows the international rules and hopefully we add some atmosphere so when they get over there, it’s not so overwhelming. I think you need a good format and a good layout. Everything here is close; arenas, stables, trade stands.”
And the day isn’t over when the jumping stops. That’s when The Big Top comes to life to entertain riders and spectators alike. No running up the road to Maccas at this show!
Kerrie: “Last night we had 300 for dinner. A very good friend of ours, Dan Murphy is a Country & Western singer, he performed on the first night and we had a BBQ. The next night we had a jukebox and karaoke, that was pizza night. Friday night was paella night and Lance Link performed. Jamie was in charge of last night and she organised a DJ which was more for the younger mob. Today’s called Hair of the Dog!”
Riley Mackillop and TM Admiral Venture, no stirrups in the Young Rider jump off
Your attention to detail is second to none…
“My team think I’m neurotic!”
“Probably 75% of the people helping me are volunteers. I’m very indebted to them because it allows me to put the money elsewhere. They’re a really good bunch. The riders also show their appreciation when also makes it really worthwhile.”
“It’s the sponsorship that runs the show. I can only be as good as the sponsorship allows me but I try to make the most out of the money that I manage to get. It’s always really good sponsors that support me every year.”
Junior Rider winner, Charlie Kinder with Regents Park Legacy
What started it for you?
“I grew up with a family in horse racing. My grandfather, George Ryder was very big with the Sydney Turf Club and owned Woodland Stud and Kia Ora, he started the Golden Slipper stakes. We grew up with horses but he was a bit of an innovator, an ideas man. My mother always said that she could see a lot of him in me.”
“He was also the first to syndicate racehorses and I think we could do that with show jumpers. It gets to the stage for one person to own a good horse and keep it, can be impossible. What happens in Australia, we have really good horses but they get sold overseas because the owners get offered money that is just too good to refuse. There are some really good Australian horses competing overseas now for other countries. So hopefully that’s the plan but for right now, I’m trying to get the shows off the ground.”
Kerrie and John Winning thanked by the riders
In securing a course designer from Europe, the Winnings went straight to the top. Frank Rothenberger is one of the best and had his own wonderful jumps to work with. The jumps are a whole story on their own. With the ship bringing them over from Europe delayed, they almost didn’t make it and they only reached the grounds on Monday. As if running a top class show wasn’t stressful enough!
It was hard to pin down Frank for a chat over the weekend. If he wasn’t at his computer, he was on course. He was kind enough to give me a few minutes at the end of the show.
What are the biggest challenges designing and building a course so far from home?
“First you must see the horses to see what level they are at and see what kind of classes they have to jump. For me when you do course designing it’s important that the horses jump better from one day to the next, that we build up the horses for the final day. I think that worked out very well at this show. It was a very good World Cup yesterday and a very good class for the Silver final today.”
Can you talk us through the Grand Prix course here?
“We like to have faults spread right through the course not at one or two particular jumps. For me it’s very important that you have a nice, flowing track. If you build up the horses and at the end we had 50% of horses with 5 faults or less, so that was ok.”
What do you think the biggest mistake course designers make?
“Honestly? Most of them are getting too lazy.”
How do you keep it fresh? How do you stay inspired?
“I’m an idealist. It’s my hobby. I love doing it. Sometimes a little bit too much, I know. But every time it’s a challenge. I do 20-25 shows a year which is more than enough.”
Do course designers have their own signature of sorts? Can you look at a course and know who designed it?
“I think so. Not every course but often.”
What’s yours?
“I don’t know. I just try to design nice tracks; flowing, easy.”
You had no water jumps over the show?
“We couldn’t dig a water jump into the polo field, but there is no need to jump a water jump. If you have one once a month, it’s ok.”
It’s the opinion of some at the moment to do away with the water altogether. What’s your view?
“I’m totally, TOTALLY against it, as are most of the organisers and most of the riders.”
Do you have any tips for the riders from what you’ve seen over this show?
“I’m surprised that we have more riders than before jumping a big course. Before there was maybe 10 now we have 25-35 in the class. Even the young horses are really good. I think it is improving a lot. And not just horse people. Twenty five years ago I went to New Zealand as well and there were just farmers and breeders but now children start riding and the parents buy a horse; they don’t have to be horse people. I think this is happening more in Australia now. It’s a very good thing.”
Will you come back here next year?
“Yeah. I would love to come back. Maybe I’ll try to get some sailing in next time!”
Local rider Sharon Slater on her 15 year old CP Aprilla won the big class on Saturday, the Winning Group FEI 2* World Cup Qualifier which offered a total of $40,000 in prize money. I spoke to her afterwards.
You’ve come second and a third in this event in the past…
“Yes… and now I’ve won it so I’m very happy. Aprilla was second here before and I ran third on another horse. She originally came from Europe as a five year old and then George Sanna, who owns her with me, won the Australian Championships with her in 2010 and then took her back to Europe and competed a little bit with her there. She sustained an injury over there though so she came back to us as a brood mare. But after a bit of time, she eventually came back to the sport so we’re very fortunate to have her back in the ring competing again. She’s been back three years now.”
You said at the prize giving she’s a bit hot…
“She is for me because I haven’t ridden many horses with quite so much blood as her so it was a bit of a different feeling for me to get used to her. I’ve probably got a little better at managing her and she’s probably calmed down a little bit as the years have gone by so somewhere we’ve met in the middle.”
Winners, Sharon Slater and CP Aprilla
Do you still train with George?
“Yes I do.”
Did you buy her with the view that you would ride her eventually?
“No. When she came back from Europe, George was injured and no longer riding and I needed a horse to ride so I thought I’d have a go.”
How did you feel about the course today?
“Frank built quite a careful track. After walking it I thought there would have been a few more clear rounds but I was early to go. I only really got to watch one before me. As the class went on, I realised the track was riding a little trickier than when I walked it. That’s a sign of a very clever course builder. Testing the horses and making the riders ride carefully without doing any damage to anybody.”
You enjoy this event?
“This is one of the best shows. The Winnings are a fantastic family who support the showjumping like no other and we’re so grateful that they chose our sport to support. Even though Jaimie and Kermo were in Europe for three years, John and Kerrie still ran the show and supported us all still here in Australia. All the riders want to come to this show. They provide great food as well!”
Colleen Brook walks the Young Rider course with young rider, Lucy Evans
Fifteen year old Madeline Sinderberry from Condobolin backed up her successful Australian Championships win with another here in the Young Rider Final on her little horse (he’s just 15:2hh and takes a 5’9” rug) with a big heart, Fernhill Zinzan.
“He’s been really consistent so hopefully we can just keep going! He’s just turned nine so he’s got plenty of time. We bought him when he was six from the Tripps. Tom McDermott was riding him as a youngster. Everyone told us that he was crazy which he is, but he’s maturing. He still has some moments though. We get along; I trust him 100% and I know what he’s going to do and he trusts me obviously.”
Madeline Sinderberry and Fernhill Zinzan, winners of the Young Rider Final
“We arrived last Sunday and I had a few lessons with David Cameron at the beginning of the week. I’ve been training with Dave for a long time. I just get a few lessons from him each year and then he helps me at shows but I’m a bit on my own with the jumping at home.”
Bringing Europe to Australia is no mean feat. It takes a team of hard working, ultra dedicated people. And so it is with the Winnings and what Kerrie Winning calls her “family”, the team that helps her stage one of the most beautiful and intimate events on the Australian showjumping calendar. Whether you’re part of the social set mixing in the VIP area or just a big lover of the sport sitting arena side under one of the glorious gums, the Showcase of Showjumping doesn’t disappoint.
The Horse Man Team
“It was Stephen Lamb’s idea!”
You may have seen them at WEG, those clever French lads who can clear 1.80m horse jumps in their underwear. Well, we were lucky to peruse their talents at the Showcase of Showjumping. Matthieu Nassif, who started the group 20 years ago, chatted to me just before their final performance of the weekend… tough job, the things I do for you, dear reader!
“I got a call about two weeks ago.
It was breakfast time in Paris and I got a Facebook message from Stephen Lamb. I turned to my girlfriend and said, ‘Darling, do you mind if I go away for a little bit?’ ‘Of course not, where are you going? Germany?’ ‘A little bit further!’ It was so funny.”
“I had to find a team to come and it’s not a real job, it’s just a hobby so I had to find three guys available at the same time because we all have our jobs (36 year old Matthieu owns a restaurant in the centre of Paris… he used to be a lawyer, 24 year old Paul is a farrier who works on the Global Champions Tour and 19 year old Anthony is a student who works with young horses). We are all involved with horses, we all showjumped at different levels. I was not so good with the horse that’s why I started without! Now we are 12 guys in the team and we act about three times a month and we’ve done this show in more than 60 countries including the final ceremony at WEG in Normandy.”
“It was good fun when I was 20 years old and I could chat up girls, ‘I’m the horse man, I’m able to jump horse fences without a horse, half naked.’ But now 36 years old… it’s a bit different, but it’s always good fun and I’m proud that the story will go on after me. The team is now very young, between 17 and 23 years old. I’m the oldest, the shortest and the biggest! But I was not going to give up a trip to Australia. Most French people will never be able to come here.”
“We arrived on Friday night and performed here yesterday and also at the bar last night! We were not expecting this level of showjumping here. It’s top level. We thought that in Australia the focus is more on eventing or racing so we were expecting a small, family show but oh my god it’s magnificent! Everyone’s been so cool, so welcoming.”
C’est Magnifique!