Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
The Magic Millions Carnival is set to play host to the most valuable standalone showjumping event in the world in 2023, with the commitment to stage a $1 million competition on the Gold Coast.
Showjumping was first introduced to the Magic Millions week this year, with a $100,000 competition being staged on Sunday, January 9, alongside the traditional Magic Millions Polo event at Doug Jennings Park.
Godolphin showjumping team | Image courtesy of Godolphin
The success of that inaugural event plus the desire to build strong pathways for aspiring Australian showjumpers has seen Magic Millions co-owners Gerry Harvey and Katie Page come together with Coolmore's Tom Magnier to announce a huge prizepool for the event next year.
“We really want to bring our show jumpers through in Australia and the best way of doing it is to put money on the table,” Page said. “A million dollars has never been done in this country.”
Showjumping at the Magic Millions | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
With Australia's best showjumpers plotting a path to the 2024 Paris Olympics, many of them overseas, Page said this competition offered them a pathway forward.
“We’ve got the runway happening and we couldn’t think of a better way of supporting athletes in this country,” she said.
“We’ve got the runway happening and we couldn’t think of a better way of supporting athletes in this country." - Katie Page
Harvey said the concept of coming together with Coolmore, which is one of Australia's biggest investors in the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry, made perfect sense, with both the Harveys and the Magniers having children heavily involved in the sport.
“This is a million dollars in one day. Magic Millions and Coolmore, the biggest thing that’s ever happened in show jumping in Australia," he said.
Page and Harvey's daughter, Georgia, has spent many years in The Netherlands forging a career in international showjumping.
Gerry Harvey | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Magnier is extremely passionate with ensuring that there are strong pathways for equestrian athletes in Australia who are looking to progress to the international stage.
“For us, there’s a million reasons now for every young person to get up, to get out and get on the horse,” he said.
“There’s so much talent in Australia, there’s unbelievable riders in this country and now they’ve got something to aim for, Magic Millions next year.”
“There’s so much talent in Australia, there’s unbelievable riders in this country and now they’ve got something to aim for, Magic Millions next year." - Tom Magnier
Magnier said with the number of kids coming through pony clubs, it was important to have ways for them to compete at home and try and prevent a complete exodus of talented riders overseas to compete in major competitions.
“They don’t have to now, the prizemoney is here and the talent is here. Let’s grow it and get ready to compete in Paris in 2024,” he said.
Juniors walking the course at Doug Jennings Park | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The Showjumping made its debut at Doug Jennings Park earlier this month, with the Senior Title was won by Team Godolphin Lifetime Care comprised of Jess Pateman, Gabi Chugg, Frida Lindgren and Emma Smith.
The Coolmore Australia Magic Millions Showjumping Junior title was won by Cody Tincknell.
This year's competition offered $100,000 in prizemoney; $92,000 for the senior competition and $8,000 for the junior competitors.
Cody Ticknell | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Announcing the addition of showjumping to the Magic Millions Carnival last month, Page said the event was a perfect fit for the week which has become the centre of the thoroughbred world for two weeks each January on the Gold Coast.
“The horse and rider as the athlete; it is what Magic Millions is all about. Showjumping just fits perfectly into The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions. When you see a 500kg horse soar over a 1.4 metre jump at a flat gallop, turn on a hair pin and clear a triple jump you are in awe. You are holding your breath," she said.
"When you see a 500kg horse soar over a 1.4 metre jump at a flat gallop, turn on a hair pin and clear a triple jump you are in awe." - Katie Page
“It is how you feel watching your horse, whether as owner, breeder or punter, cross the line first. It is the reaction you have watching high goal polo - five horses in a cluster, at a gallop chasing down the goal. That is Magic Millions."
