CASTERTON’S Stacey Edwards is celebrating a great start to the 2023 Green Triangle Winter Showjumping Series, with wins in both the Horse of the Series and Pony of the Series classes.

Glenelg Pony Club hosted the first round of the eight-event series at the weekend, with 95 entries received over eight classes in the main arena, while more than a dozen up-and-coming riders took to ring two under the guidance of Jessie Constantine, to compete in poles to 45-centimetre classes.

The 12-year-old Edwards and Napoleon teamed up for a clear first round in the 65-centimetre Pony of the Series class, with Glenelg Pony Club’s Ayla McDonald, also 12 and Smudge, the only other combo to jump a clear first round and just 0.075 seconds separating the two.

The two combos floored it in the jump-off, both again recording clear rounds and knocking more than 20 seconds off their times, but Edwards and Napoleon made a tighter run to take the title by just over five seconds.

In the Horse of the Series class, Edwards’ tender age belied her experience, as she teamed up with Another County against seven seasoned riders, to be one of just three to make a clear round and progress to the jump-off.

In the final, double jumps 5a and 5b and the subsequent six, all posed problems for the combos, each finishing the course with a rail down, but again Edward’s ability for speed and tight corners saw her take the title.

The series continues through Penola, Edenhope, Millicent, two events in Mount Gambier and one in Naracoorte, before wrapping up with Mount Gambier Show Jumping Club on 23 July.