Erreplus Callaho Lindor and Kiara Burn take the win
Text: Amelia Campbell-Horne
Photography: Merlynn Trichardt
The Mini Derby is the bridge between the Micro and the Main Derby. The track is built to 1.40m Championship standards and runs under normal competition rules where all the clears go through to a jump-off over a shortened course. This year, Kevin Spratley built a strong track for the 24 starters, and the riders were clearly well-prepared. Five riders jumped clear to progress through to the jump-off: three very experienced Derby riders, Nicole Horwood, Jonathan Clarke and Graham Winn and two of our top young riders, Kiara Burn and Paige Lee Goetsch.
HQ quickly caught up with Kiara Burn as she was on her way to her parents and coach after her impressive win.
HQ: How was your build-up to the Derby?
Kiara: We just had one down in each class, but I was very happy with him. He hasn’t done a lot of 1.40m classes, and neither have I, so I was really chuffed with him the whole weekend. We just had to try to keep him as energetic as possible because he can get quite tired.
HQ: Tell us about today.
Kiara: My goal for today was to just have a nice clear, and we got that, and I was so happy! Then I realised I’d have to do a jump-off, and I wasn’t sure I’d even be able to do it; I was so tired after the first round, and I couldn’t stop coughing. I was even saying to my groom that we were just going to go and have a nice second round, as there is no way we can beat these people. I mean – I was competing against Jonathan Clarke and Nicole Horwood! So, we just went in and rode what we had planned, and I was really surprised!! He got me out of that big combination at the end; he was just incredible! This was our first Derby together as well, so it was just incredible.
HQ: Being your first Derby together, was there anything you were nervous about?
Kiara: Well, yes, obviously! It’s Derby!! The poles that I had had in the warmup classes were mostly my fault because I don’t know how to ride Derby and how to go up and down the hills. My main thing was focusing on keeping a good rhythm with him and making sure the hills and things didn’t break my canter. The planks were making me nervous as well, as everyone was getting three strides there, and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get it. But Lindor was just amazing; he just knew what to do and took over!
HQ: Well, huge congratulations on this incredible achievement! Seeing as you can’t improve on your Mini Derby record, is it Big Derby next year?
Kiara: (Nervous laugh) We will see; I’m just taking it one step at a time for now.
Chat with Simon Burn, Kiara’s dad
HQ: Simon (dad), how does it feel that your daughter has just won the Mini Derby?
Simon: I am so proud; I couldn’t be prouder.
HQ: And on a horse that you had originally ridden!
Simon: Yes, well, I trained him; what can I say!
Chat with Joanne Van Achtenburg
We also caught hold of Kiara’s long-time coach and previous Big Derby contender, Joanne Van Achtenburg; she said: “It was completely unexpected because it was Kiara’s first adult Derby and her first Derby in the Bob Charter. She has been knocking on the door the whole year, being the first princess at many big title competitions, and today was just her day, and I am so over the moon for her!”.
Chat with Jonathan Clark
We also caught up with bronze medal winner Jonathan Clark. He rode the 10-year-old Indoctro x Conti gelding, Back on Track Sheldon.
HQ: How did it go?
Jono: Ah, I was really disappointed I hit the rail, but I am pleased with him; he has come third three times this show.
HQ: You and Sheldon have been developing a super partnership recently. Maybe he will be in the Big Derby next year?
Jono: Ya, it has finally come together. And maybe… He’s quite little, though.
Despite the myriad of titles Jono has to his name, he is missing a Derby title, so hopefully, we will see him back next year to take on the ‘Big’ one!
Chat with Paige Lee Goetsch
Finishing up in fifth place in the Mini Derby were the lovely Callaho Lucetto and Young Rider Paige Lee Goetsch.
HQ: Was this your first Adult Derby attempt?
Paige: No, my first go was with Caspar in the 1.40s two or three years ago. I jumped Lucetto in the Micro Derby last year, and we had a fast time but took a rail going into the dyke, so that added on four seconds, and we actually finished up in fifth then too!
HQ: How was your build-up to the show?
Paige: Well, I have always known since he was a young horse that he was brave enough and careful enough to do the Derby stuff without getting too rattled, so I have been building him up towards this show. I took him down a level at SA Champs and put him back up into the 1.40m for this show, and he exceeded all my expectations.
HQ: Were you nervous?
Paige: Yes, extremely! I always find I get a little more nervous for Derby. The first Derby attempt I did on Caspar, I remember I was really, really nervous, so I prepared myself mentally to get nervous! But Looch is a solid oke; he’s not scared of a thing; he can actually be too game, so I don’t have to worry about him; I just need to worry about me helping him get the best result he can get.
HQ: Big one next year?
Paige: 100%… If I have the guts, yes!