The ninth edition of the Nissan Easter Festival was as successful as it\u2019s ever been with capacity crowds, super bargains and top-notch riding.<\/p>\n
The 10-day competition that was held at Kyalami Equestrian Park from March 24 to April 2, ended on a high with the Nissan SA Outdoor Grand Prix concluding just before sunset on April 2.<\/p>
After three gruelling rounds in the Grand Prix, it was veteran rider Ronnie Lawrence who clinched the win on the gorgeous grey Gillian van Orshof, affectionately known as Goofy.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has a wonderful following this horse who we know as Goofy \u2013 he\u2019s from Belgium and I bought him as a four-year-old.<\/p>
\u201cHe was great the whole show \u2013 qualifying in the top eight, and went in as number 13 which is my lucky number as I was born on the 13th,\u201d said Lawrence.<\/p>\n
\u201cKate Launder built a very tough, but well-built course and in all three rounds Goofy jumped his heart out for me and my sponsors Western Shoppe to win the Nissan SA Outdoor Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis win feels amazing because he placed second in the Derby and SA Champs last year so it\u2019s nice now to have won a big one.\u201d<\/p>\n
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RELATED ARTICLES:<\/span><\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss out on the Nissan Easter Festival<\/a><\/p>\n Nissan Easter Festival to thrill horse lovers<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Victor Ludorum for the adult 1.5m competition Nicola Sime-Riley and last year\u2019s winner said that both of her horses felt amazing.<\/p>\n \u201cFulvic Connoisseur jumped out of his socks including clearing the water, which I was worried about as he almost always puts a foot on the tape when landing resulting in four penalties.<\/p>\n \u201cBut he was on form \u2013 in fact, both horses were \u2018with me\u2019 today; focused and gave me their all.<\/p>\n \u201cI was so close to winning, but will take being crowned as \u2018First Princess\u2019 and look forward to the next show I have lined up,\u201d said Sime-Riley.<\/p>\n \u201cConnoisseur has had a second in the first qualifier, then a first in the second qualifier and then in the Grand Prix he jumped the most amazing double clear, with it being my fault for the time penalty.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I must say that I am absolutely over the moon with both horses.<\/p>\n \u201cI love being in the ring and what these horses do for me is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \n \n <\/p>\n