Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 63, October 2014 | Page 29

running & sport

JADE’S
g Jump
Bi

I

n June this year, two time Avis SA Derby
winner Jade Hooke (24) of Port Elizabeth found
herself competing alongside the world’s leading
show-jumpers in the prestigious Hickstead Derby
in England, considered the world’s flagship
show-jumping event. Out of a field of 36 horses,
Trevor Breen of Northern Ireland won after a
jump-off with defending champ Philip Miller
of the UK, both riders having conceded just
four penalty faults in their rounds, but the big
surprise was Jade finishing third, riding A New
Era, having conceded just eight faults. As Jade
explains, it really was a landmark result for her,
and takes her a step closer to qualifying for the
Olympics.

Images: Courtesy Jade Hooke

“I’ve been based in the UK since late last year
to train for this specific event and I was a huge
outsider for Hi