The Equestrian Federation of Jamaica kicked off its 2008 showjumping season with the first leg of the Hi-Pro Grand Prix and the EFJ League competition at the Kingston Polo Club and Equestrian Centre, Caymanas Estates, recently.

Picking up where he left off last year, Justin Vaz, a student at Campion College, won the first leg of the Hi-Pro Grand Prix and the EFJ High League events. Vaz, the defending champion in both events, easily defended his titles aboard his customary horse Shabba Ranks, thanks to dominating performances in the first round legs of both events.

Keen contest

The Hi-Pro Grand Prix, which is a three-part open competition (no age limit) over jumps (1.15 meters), was keenly contested with Vaz edging Joseph Adam in a jump off, this after both completed the course with clear rounds in the preliminary competition.

The jump off saw Vaz victorious over Adam aboard Alex, this after registering four faults. In third place was Susan Wates on Miss Fran. Vaz holds a slim one-point lead in the standings going into the second leg of the competition on June 14.

Vaz and Shabba Ranks also managed to defend their title in the High Category over two rounds, fending off spirited challenges from Susan Wates on Miss Fran and reigning children's FEI champion Jason Walter riding Gemini.

Vaz completed his first round clear, with eight faults in the second round, in a time of 54.78 seconds, leading Wates who had 15 combined faults in a time of 76.93 seconds, and Walter who had 20 faults in 61.86.

In the Medium League event over jumps set at one metre, Hillel student Stephen McConnell on Troubles topped the standings with eight total faults in 53.27, topping fellow Hillel students Gabriela Ralston on Appeal and Adam Lake on Domino.

Lake went on to beat Ralston in the Low T League category of .85 metre jumps, both having two clear rounds.

However, Lake edged her opponent with a time of 56.4 against 60.9 seconds, with newcomer Gabrielle Beman finishing third aboard Rocky.