TACK N' TOGS PONY RIDER PRESIDENT'S CUP 2024

A review

An incredible field of 27 pony and rider combinations contended for this year’s Pony Rider President’s Cup title this last weekend. As with all President’s Cup competitions, the competition is run over three rounds, commencing with a speed class where the winner receives zero penalties, and the time difference between the winner and the other athletes is converted into points. The second round is a jump-off round, in which penalties incurred are converted to points. The final round is one round with a compulsory jump-off. The rider with the least number of points takes home the title!

With a big and technical track set for the final, it was unsurprising that it was full of thrills and spills. Several top qualifiers came unstuck under the pressure, having miscommunications with their rides, and paying the price.

Going into the final round, it was clear that just two would really be battling for the title with less than half a point separating them; Amber Botes and First for Horses Rasta were sitting on 3.23 penalties, and Jamie-Riley and the legendary Scooby Doo were on 3.65 penalties.

As the final is run as an individual competition as well, the challenge for these riders is to decide how safe to play it! Jamie and Scooby Doo were the penultimate competitors and held their cool to pull off a speedy clear, piling the pressure on Amber Botes. Amber and Rasta managed to keep it together, coming home with a steady clear, claiming the SA Pony Rider President’s Cup title and adding their names to the ‘Whisper Trophy’. This pair has had an exceptional career and will be delighted to take home their first Pony Rider National Title.