Nissan Winter Classic returns to Shongweni Club
VISITORS to this year’s Nissan Winter Classic can expect world-quality showjumping action and non-stop family entertainment at the beautiful Shongweni Club, running from today until Sunday.
“We are very excited to be involved in this really fantastic festival, which provides both the equestrian community and visitors with a chance to witness an elevated level of showjumping performance in a remarkable part of the country,” said Mike Whitfield, managing director of Nissan SA.
There will be 39 events taking place throughout the sixday competition, including the 1.15 Filtec Pony Riders Championship and 1.50m Nissan Riders Grand Prix Tour; the popular Nissan six-bar event (for juniors and adults); the 1.40m Nissan Championships and the main title class – the 1.5m Nissan FEI World Cup Qualifier. The incredible Zecks and Viceroy will perform alongside the Ingobamakhosi Zulu Dance Group in a high-energy show before the start of the six-bar class.
The Nissan Winter Classic forms the third of five elite events that make up the South African leg of the World Cup showjumping qualifiers. It attracts international- level showjumping champions, among them Barry and Lorette Knowles-Taylor of Farnham Stables.
The renowned duo who hail from Gauteng have been participating since the event’s inception and will be returning for another shot at the big win.
Barry will be riding Counter Attack, owned by Quinten and Liesl Jansen, while Lorette will be riding Bryan Meyer’s Caspar – a new combination for this contest.
Lorette has often found success at the Nissan Winter Classic. She and her now-retired horse, Nissan Nabab Forever, broke the South African six-bar record in 2014 with a height of 2m.
The pair went on to break their own record the following year with a height of 2.05m.
“The Nissan Winter Classic has such a great organising committee behind the event. Grant Langley, a great competitor himself, knows exactly what it takes to put on a great show,” said Lorette, fresh from her win at the Stokkiesdraai 1.50m Grand Prix.
“The festival has such great sponsorship and their involvement ensures it is a success. Barry and I are really excited to be competing in all the open classes again this year, and are happy to compete in a milder climate.”
Shelly Moore, the vice-chairperson of Shongweni Club said: “The programme this year is jam-packed with superb competition and great entertainment for the whole family.
“The Shongweni Club is a family-friendly venue and we look forward to welcoming all of the competitors, visitors and spectators for another spectacular Nissan Winter Classic.”
The chosen charity for this year’s Classic is the Umthombomuhle School in the Hammarsdale area.
Last year, funds raised by Foresyte Shows & Langley Equestrian Centre contributed to the establishment of an interactive play area on site and funds raised in 2018 will go towards the upgrading of various facilities at the local school.
The 112 schoolchildren will also be treated to a day out at the Nissan Winter Classic with lunches sponsored by Illovo.
Visitors attending this event will be able to take advantage of a number of additional activities, including the ever-popular Nissan vehicle display and test drive; a dedicated kids’ play area; and a variety of market stalls. – Sport Reporter