It’s official: Clint Beresford is Australia’s leading showjumper.
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Beresford has just secured a strong enough finish in Victoria’s Boneo Classic to be named winner of the Australian World Cup League series riding Emmaville Jitterbug.
“Today was the final World Cup for the 2016/17 season and although It didn't go the way I planned we are still so happy with how the last 12 months has gone,” Beresford said on social media.
“It has been an incredible journey with this horse, he keeps surprising me at every show with how much he keeps improving.”
“To say I'm happy is an understatement,” Beresford said.
Beresford has worked with Emmaville, affectionately known as Jason among friends, for about five years and said he “always knew he was going to be a good horse”.
Beresford took the lead in the Australian standings of the event late last year, but were looking for a strong finish to the league.
However, the results didn’t favour the young Bega duo.
“[The] Boneo Classic all done,” Beresford said. “[It was] probably one of the hardest shows I've had to ride at.”
It has been an incredible journey with this horse ... to say I'm happy is an understatement.
- Clint Beresford
The event proved much tougher than just the physical toll endured during competition.
“On Saturday we got the devastating news that my grandpa had passed away,” His post continues.
“He fought a battle with cancer for the last 12 months and he amazed us all with how strong he was throughout the whole ordeal.”
Beresford said he was grateful for the support he’s had and was still overwhelmed by the win.
“I'm very lucky to be surrounded by such a supportive group of friends and an amazing family.”
Proud dad Warren Beresford said it had been a wonderful seven months following the qualifying events for the World Cup, but did involve plenty of time away from home.
He backed Clint to perform well during the series, but never anticipated the result.
“I thought it would be wonderful to win a World Cup qualifier,” Warren said. "But I never thought that we would win the Australian league for the World Cup.”
Beresford said he was still gobsmacked by the win, but was grateful for support from home during his journey.
“Thank you to everyone for their well wishes and kind words,” he said.
“Thank you to my great sponsors, Barastoc Horsefeeds, Antares Australia and Horseland Canberra.”