Africa-Press – Namibia. PRODIGIOUS teen Jenna Gilchrist and and seasoned campaigner Kate Alison will be looking to fly the Namibian flag high at the 2022 FEI Jumping World Challenge Final in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, next month.
Only the top two riders from 10 regional zones across the globe, who qualified through three legs of the FEI Jumping World Challenge 2021, have made it to the final competition that runs from 27 to 31 July.
Fifteen-year-old Gilchrist, who became the youngest category A winner last year, hails from Swakopmund, while Alison is Windhoek-based.
Unlike her younger compatriot, who will be making her competition debut, Alison has sufficient experience on her side, having been the Namibian finalist at the FEI global showcase in 2019 and 2020.
She would have made it three appearances on the trot in Indonesia last year had the event not been cancelled due to Covid-19.
“The Namibian Equestrian Federation is overjoyed to have the riders participating,” the national federation said in a statement.
Both Namibian athletes will have four competitions on horses they have never ridden before.
Like the other 18 riders vying for honours, they are given a very short time to get acquainted with their new partners, and ride the welcome competition ahead of the next three days of qualifying and finals.
The first qualifier takes place on the second day of competition, with the third day featuring the second qualifier to determine the top 10 riders who will battle for the gold on day four. Those who place from 11th to 20th position will compete in the farewell competition.
“We wish our two superstars the best of luck, a fantastic new partner and many clear rounds. But above all we want them to stay safe and have fun while being perfect Namibian sports ambassadors,” said the jumping delegate of the Namibian Equestrian Federation, Christine von Finckenstein.
“We are so proud of your achievement in having come this far already and will all be holding thumbs for the end of July.”
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