15 showjumpers as you’ve never seen them before: in pictures
What do Katy Perry, Catwoman and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have in common? Well, on Saturday night (28 September), they were all showjumping at the LA Masters in California.
The trio — AKA Rodrigo Pessoa, Laura Kraut and Kent Farrington — were members of 11 teams who took part in a Pro-Am relay jumping competition, raising over $350,000 for charity.
Laura Kraut (Catwoman) and Hannah Selleck (Posion Ivy) were the winning combination against the clock in a hilarious evening of fancy dress antics.
“It’s not my usual attire, but everything stayed put!” said Hannah.
Laura Kraut added: “This was more about charity and having fun than the jumping competition and I’m thrilled for [charity] Just World International — this was my opportunity to help raise money for it.”
Also in action were USA riders Beezie Madden, Will Simpson, Jessica Springsteen and Jane Richard-Phillips of Switzerland.
Hollywood celebrities gathered to watch the fundraising gala evening at the LA Conference Center, including Bo Derek, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, and Bill Gates, whose daughter Jennifer teamed up with Richard Spooner as a “Fast and Furious” themed pairing, while The Big Bang Theory’s Kaley Cuoco joined Paris Sellon as “Cowboy and Indian”.
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But the biggest laughs of the night came for Brazilian showjumper Rodrigo Pessoa, who channelled his inner Katy Perry and gave his cupcake bra a cheeky squeeze as he jumped every fence.
The charities to benefit from the night included Thrive Animal Rescue, Autism Speaks, Ride On, Mustard Seed Ranch and Baby2Baby.
You can read the full report from the LA Masters in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine (2 October 2014)
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Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.