ARMAGH show jumping rider Jonathan McCrea, based in East Windsor, Connecticut, USA, recovered from Covid-19 to win the January 1.45m Classic at Ocala World Equestrian Centre in Florida.

The normally energetic McCrea was laid low after the new year with Covid, being ill for two weeks and taking another 10 days to regain his energy.

From Annaghmore near Portadown, McCrea has resided in the USA since 2000 having moved to Hartford Connecticut when he married international USA team rider Christine Tribble.

McCrea partnered Superwoman DKZ to win a jumper classic event at the new 300-acre show site which houses 2,000 horses and which he describes “as the next big venue.”

Jonathan explained: “The virus is very real and the horse shows are doing their utmost to ensure riders are safe. There are no spectators, everyone is temperature-checked, masked and social distancing.

“Covid really kicks you down, I got it despite being extra careful at home. No-one in our barn including my wife got Covid, so you never know. I was really not good for two weeks and took another 10 days to get myself together. Lucky no hospital or medication was needed but I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”

Good mare

Superwoman DKZ (Sisley de la Tour Vidal/Careful/Carthago Z) is McCrea’s up and coming mare. “I’ve had her since she was five, now she is nine. We are just stepping up to 1.45m-1.50m. I have six of my own horses to competing here in Florida. Hopefully Superwoman graduates eventually to Grand Prix. My plan is to keep putting miles on the clock with her.”

The Ocala World Equestrian show runs for 12 weeks until March.

McCrea now competes for the United States and so far has been on four Nations Cups and one for Ireland. In 2017 he qualified for the Omaha World Cup finals having won the World Cup qualifier in Bromont but missed out after his stallion was injured just prior to the event.

“Right now, I am thankful that riders can show jump in Florida, Nations Cup plans are a day-by-day thing, with European shows cancelling, no-one really knows if we will get to Europe this year.”