Vale Jox and Navy Seal
Sharon Slater and Jox |
Two great Australian thoroughbred showjumpers who dominated the 90s have recently succumbed to old age.
Jox, the 16.3hh grey gelding, who lived out his later years in Virginia after moving to the US in 1997, spent his early years competing with owner/rider Sharon Slater (nee Scott).
The duo was a formidable combination on the Australian Showjumping circuit and won five world cup classes as well as the inaugural Hermes International Show Jumping Challenge at Sydney’s Moore Park. A two year Hermes sponsorship followed before Jox started a new partnership in the US with Alison Firestone.
Jox and Firestone were in the running to represent the US at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The combination was in second place after the first of six qualifying rounds before an injury to Jox ruled them out of contention.
“It’s not often that a horse comes around that is as brave as he is careful and Jox had both of these qualities. There wasn’t a fence that anyone could build that he couldn’t jump,” said Slater.
Chris and Helen Chugg’s Navy Seal, also known as ‘Blackie,’ was a courageous and competitive Jumper who also enjoyed success as an Eventer.
The black New Zealand bred thoroughbred gelding achieved many notable feats in his 24 years. In addition to being the 1995 National Jumping Champion and a multiple World Cup winner he also won the 2* Adelaide 3DE (old format).
In his later years Blackie became the paddock nanny at the Chugg’s Diamond B Farm where he watched over many years of youngstock.
“He ran a fair but strict paddock and he relished this job,” said Helen Chugg.
