PHILIP SMITH MEMORIAL TROPHY EQUITATION CHAMPIONSHIPS

MEET THE FINALISTS

The history

Equitation as a discipline was formally introduced to South Africa by Charlotte Stubbs in the 1970s. She realised that, in general, riders' skills needed improving, and there was a lack of access to regular and correct coaching. The aim of Equitation was, therefore, to provide constructive feedback to riders to improve the effectiveness and correctness of their riding.

In 1971 the first National Equestrian Championships were held, with 24 riders from around South Africa competing for Gold. As time progressed, the format changed slightly, and in 1982 the Witwatersrand Agricultural Society (WAS) Supreme Equitation Championship became the new title of the prestigious event. This title was won by some of today's top riders, including Jonathan Clarke and Andrea Harrison. In 2001 the Philip Smith Memorial (PSM) Trophy became the successor to the WAS Supreme Championship. It is named in tribute to Philip Smith, an incredibly talented and stylish rider who represented South Africa on many occasions.

The format of the competition today is slightly different, with only the top four finalists from the South African National Junior Individual Equitation Championships in the preceding year being invited to compete.

The first day of the Championship is the flatwork test. Each rider will ride the test on their own horse and then on each of the other three horses. They are judged on their ability to produce smooth and correct movements on a variety of horses. The second day of the Championship is the jumping test which they ride on their own horse and then the other horses. This starts with a gymnastic, ridden one-handed with no stirrups, followed by a short course of jumps set at a height of 1.15m/1.20m. Competitors are not allowed any outside assistance for the duration of the competition, including assistance with course walks and warm-ups!

THIS YEAR'S PHILIP SMITH MEMORIAL EQUITATION CHAMPIONSHIP

We caught up with this year's finalists ahead of the Philip Smith Memorial Equitation Championship, which will be held at the Easter Festival at KPC this year. These are Jenna Eagar, Ashlee Taylor, Erin O'Dwyer and Mikaela Martin has stepped up as a first reserve as, unfortunately, Olivia Roberts is unable to participate this year.

HQ: Can you tell us a bit about yourselves?

Jenna Eagar

Jenna: My name is Jenna Eagar, and I have just turned 18. I am originally from Cape Town but relocated to Johannesburg early last year to pursue my riding goals. I've been riding for about 13 years now, and it truly is my one love and passion.

Ashlee Taylor

Ashlee: My name is Ashlee Taylor. I am 18 years old, and I'm currently in matric at Dainfern College. I was born and have lived in Chartwell, Johannesburg, my whole life. I was born into a horse family, so I have been riding horses since I was about 3 or 4. I have showjumped all my life, and I did some vaulting for quite a while when I was younger, but showjumping has always been my favourite.

Erin O'Dwyer

Erin: My name is Erin O'Dwyer, and I am 17 years old. I first started competing in SANESA when I was nine years old, but I only did my first graded shows two years later. My competitive riding slowly progressed from there, and I had some lovely championship wins in the lower grades, primarily in showjumping.

Mikaela Martin

Mikaela: My name is Mikaela Martin, and I am a 17-year-old showjumper and equitation rider. I've been lucky to grow up on a competitive yard called Penbritte, owned by my mom, and I have therefore been riding my whole life.

HQ What does it mean to you to have qualified for the Philip Smith?

Jenna: I compete in both showjumping and equitation, but it's always been a dream of mine to compete in the Philip Smith Memorial. Qualifying for the PSM has definitely been among the top highlights of my riding career so far, as it's something I've been aspiring to do for a very long time now.

Ashlee: I have always wanted to qualify for the Philip Smith as I feel that it is a demonstration of how well you can ride any kind of horse. I think to just qualify for the Philip Smith is a huge achievement. It is definitely special that I have qualified because it would be my last year to get into the top four, and it was on a horse that I produced myself.

Erin: When I went down to Shongweni in December 2022 for SA Champs, I never even imagined I could qualify for the Philip Smith Memorial! I was just going down to do my best and have fun, and I must admit I was focusing more on the showjumping side. I love the adrenaline of jumping, and my precious Lu never fails to impress. In my mind being selected to represent Gauteng at SA Champs at the Open level was already an achievement I hadn't expected. I feel so privileged to be able to take part in this competition and to compete against such amazing riders, and I intend to enjoy every second of it. I know this event is going to fully test my riding, and I am excited to be taking part.

Mikaela: I am extremely excited to have qualified to compete in the Philip Smithh as I feel it is the ultimate title that any junior rider should aspire to, and it has been a lifelong dream of mine.

HQ: Can you tell us more about the horses you qualified on?

Jenna: I am extremely lucky to have been given the ride mid-last year of the wonderful Capital Conlanc by Capital Stud. He is truly a gentleman and such a pleasure to ride, always trying his best to please. We've managed to build a strong partnership this past year, and he has helped me achieve a number of my goals, with a few of them being winning the Gauteng Equitation Championship and the Youth South African Equitation Championship.

Ashlee: Callaho Lariboo is owned by Govett Triggol. She is currently seven years old, and I have ridden and produced her since she was four years old. She was my third option for the SA Champs Equitation because I never saw her as an equitation horse because she is quite sensitive and still inexperienced. As I couldn't ride my first two horse options, 'Boo' was the last option, and me riding her in the equitation ended up being a blessing in disguise, and ultimately, she is my best choice.

Erin: Callaho Luigi Vella (or Lu for short) is my one-in-amillion real-life unicorn. Over the last two years, we have developed an unbreakable bond, and I feel he knows my every instruction before I even need to tell him. He loves playing in the mud, but somehow, my amazing groom Deverson keeps him spotless, and everyone else thinks he is the definition of a white steed. He always knows when he has overachieved and demands copious amounts of carrots and attention in return.

Mikaela: I qualified on a young Warmblood that we bred called Salucci, aka Sushi. I took over the ride on him from my mother just before SA Champs, which was his debut in equitation. Sushi has the biggest personality for his small size, and he matches this with his scope and bravery. We came 5th in the Equitation at SA Champs, which was impressive for his first try. He has unfortunately been sold subsequently, so it's still up in the air as to who I will compete on!

HQ: How are you preparing for the competition?

Jenna: I've been working extra hard both off and on my horse, improving on my fitness and weaknesses. I am doing extra dressage lessons to help me prepare for the dressage portion of the Championship, and I have continued attending my weekly jumping lessons.

Ashlee: I have been having equitation lessons with Whitney Deverneuil, dressage lessons with Georgie Roberts and jumping lessons with my parents, Lorette and Barry Taylor. I've also ridden a couple of horses that I've never ridden before.

Mikaela Martin

Erin: Fortunately, my coaches convinced me to tackle SANESA Elementary Dressage last year, which really helped my flatwork. I've also been practising the actual flatwork test, and next week we'll start some gymnastic training. I've been riding some of the horses at Kincardine, belonging to friends in the yard and have gained a feel for a variety of rides. I have struggled to find enough time to ride as much as I would have liked, as I am also writing matric this year and must focus on my academic studies.

Mikaela: I am working very hard in preparation for this prestigious event to try my best to do the competition justice. My amazing equitation coach, Amy Tolmay, and I are training tirelessly to improve my position to the best of my ability. Over the next couple of days, I will be riding as many different horses as possible and practising my dressage as much as possible.

HQ: What do you think makes the PSM so special?

Jenna: Equitation is all about the rider and the effect they have on whatever horse they're riding. Seeing as only the top four riders of each year qualify for the Philip Smith, it's a showcase of the youth and their abilities to perform under strenuous conditions. I believe that this is what makes the Philip Smith Memorial so unique, as it tests the riders in various situations and disciplines, such as showjumping and dressage.

Ashlee: The Philip Smith is an annual event that has been around for a very long time. It's so unique because it's only a small bunch of riders (the top four riders from the SA Champs), and it's something that you must qualify for. It's also unique because it's one of the only events that requires the riders to ride the other competitors' horses. It also includes two different disciplines, dressage and showjumping, which tests your all round riding ability. I think it is a testing competition that is very different from what riders usually face.

Erin: This event is unique as only four riders a year qualify to compete, and the format is nothing like any other equitation event we have ever ridden. The tests themselves are far more extensive than standard equitation, and most of your scoring comes from riding horses you don't know. I know the other competitors are excellent riders, so the competition will be very strong, but at this point, I don't know which horses they will be electing to ride, so I really don't know what to expect.

Mikaela: Although showjumping is my main focus, I feel equitation is very important, and all showjumpers should do it as it is beneficial for improving your seat and your horse's schooling, which will help with jumping. The Philip Smith is a very special event as it is by invitation only, and it celebrates and appreciates such a beautiful discipline.

HQ: What do you have to say to other young riders who want to compete in the Philip Smith one day?

Jenna: I'd most probably tell them that hard work and perseverance always pays off. No matter how tough it may get or how impossible something may seem, the ability to push past these challenges is what allows you to develop as a rider. At the end of the day, we all have flaws and weaknesses, but it is up to each person whether these weaknesses will rather define you or shape you.

Ashlee: Never give up on your dreams even when they feel like they aren't in reach.

Erin: Don't be too serious about qualifying; once you put too much pressure on yourself, you stop focusing on how you ride and rather what you are riding for. Equitation is a mental test as well as a physical one. If you're too hard on yourself in your thoughts, it will reflect in your riding. Then, finally, remember it is about effectiveness over attractiveness, so ride naturally and to feel rather than riding to look pretty for the judges.

Mikaela: I would tell them that it was one of my dreams when I was a young rider, but a dream will remain a dream unless you work towards it! So, to make a dream a reality, you need to put your mind to it and achieve it!

Good luck

Thank you, girls; we wish you all the best of luck!