The 2017 Nissan Easter Festival

The Nissan Easter Festival is a highlight not only for equestrians, but also for community members and families. Although this year’s festival kicked off with dreary weather, the clouds cleared and the sun came out towards the end of the show – just in time for the highlight events such as the Navara Challenge, Fancy Dress, Four and Six Bar, and the highly anticipated Outdoor Grand Prix.

Once again, the 2017 Nissan Easter Festival was a resounding show jumping success – both inside the arena and out. We sat down with the various Grand Prix champions as they shared their success stories.

Nicola Sime-Riley

Winner of the 2017 Nissan SA Outdoor Grand Prix, Nicola Sime-Riley riding Fulvic Connoisseur, says that her biggest fans are her husband, mom and sister. “My mom and sister are my number one fans and always have my back, in the ring and out of it. Gonda Betrix is my coach and has moulded me into the rider I am today, as she’s there at shows and shouting at us regularly! My husband is another vital team member. He hates the lonely weekends, but deep down I know he’s always supporting me. My staff are always running around me, getting horses ready to ride in the mornings as well as show ready. Thank you, John, Warrick, Bryan, Patson, Madala, Musa, Love more and everyone else.”

Having been ranked in South Africa’s top 10 for the last 12 years, Nicola says that both of her horses jumped really well throughout the show. “Con felt like he was really loving it, jumping his heart out and not coming near a fence throughout the show. El Paso was feeling great too, perhaps a little tired on the final day, having two really unlucky fences (one in each round) that he normally would not have touched. But that’s the name of the game: just when you think you’ve got it, there’s another challenge ahead. We gave it our best – that’s for sure.”