RACING Media veteran Andrew Bon attended the recent Spurwing Showjumping Trials in  Karkloof, KZN, and came back reporting, “Equal Image is South Africa’s King Of Jumpers!’

We’ve published several reports about the former Mike de Kock-trained Gr1 winner who has jumped highly successfully for his new owner Erinn Dempsey over the last four years.  Equal Image and Mr Brock, another former De Kock-runner, are both coming into their own as showjumpers.

Bon reports: “I was pleasantly surprised to see how many former top racehorses were jumping at Karkloof and they all looked beautiful.  Besides Equal Image there was former top sand runners Iron Curtain and Alimony, also Mokaro, Western Prospect and Forecastle. It was heartwarming to witness how they enjoyed themselves. There are so many interwoven stories here.”

Equal Image, he rules the roost!

Equal Image won the overall competition and Erinn Dempsey commented: “Equal Image has really been an amazing horse who is very easy to work with and takes everything in his stride with his calm easy-going temperament.

“He still loves to show off after he has had a wash to get him ready for the shows. He thinks he is going back to the races. Equal is currently jumping in the 1.25m classes and has only done two shows at this height but is coping very well and picked up a few places.

“My main focus with him now is the Eventing as he had a good base in the start of his career with all the showing in which he did very well. He is currently competing in the FEI 1 and 2 star eventing which are recognised overseas. This past year he has won and been placed in many of his events.

Mr Brock, eye-catching jumper.

“Mr Brock has been back in South Africa for a year and he has filled out into a real eye catching horse.  He has been competing in all the disciplines; he is currently in Novice Dressage and getting some very good percentages. In the showing he has done very well winning his classes. This past weekend he competed in the KZN Showing Championships, were he won all 3 of his show horse classes and was the Champion Novice show horse and Supreme Champion Novice horse on show.

“In the Showjumping Mr Brock is currently jumping 90cm and will go up into the 1m classes soon.  He also loves the Eventing and is doing the 80cm classes. He has done very well by winning and coming 2^nd in his last two shows. He is very brave and loves to open up when he gets going. He thinks he is back on the racetrack when sees the open spaces and doesn’t have a problem making it in the time.

“I really enjoy working with these two great horses and am still grateful every day for getting the opportunity to carry on with them after their racing days.”