What a week it has been for 21-year-old Cody Tincknell. Just seven days after claiming victory in the historic first FEI Under 25 Grand Prix held in Australia at Kurri Burri Polo Fields, Cody has taken another enormous step forward in his Jumping career, winning the Carmyle Veterinary Services FEI World Cup Qualifier at AELEC Tamworth yesterday evening. And remarkably, it was his very first World Cup start.

Advertisement

Last weekend, Cody partnered Si Si Strike to victory in the CSIU25-A Grand Prix at Kurri Burri, heading a field of 30 combinations in the 1.45m competition. This weekend, it was his own 14-year-old gelding Numero Too who delivered the goods, producing a superb double clear performance to secure Cody’s first World Cup victory. Two significant FEI wins, on two different horses, in the space of just seven days. It is an extraordinary run of results for a young rider who is making his presence felt at the top end of Australian Jumping.

While the World Cup field at Tamworth was smaller than we have seen at some of the other qualifiers this season, there was absolutely nothing small about Cody’s achievement. Jumping two clear rounds at World Cup level is an exceptional accomplishment, regardless of the number of competitors, and to do so on debut, with the pressure of a potential victory on the line, makes this performance particularly impressive.

Advertisement

The course, designed by experienced Australian course designer Gavin Chester, saw 14 combinations take to the arena, with just four producing clear rounds in Round One. Cody was responsible for two of those clears, having also completed the opening round without penalty aboard Fairview Calquidam, while Jeremy Whale and Kingslea Centrose and James Mooney and KPH Cavatina were the other combinations to keep a clean sheet.

With the second round against the clock determining the final placings, Cody was first to return among the combinations carrying zero penalties, and aboard Numero Too he delivered another faultless performance, stopping the clock at 46.14 seconds. It was a remarkable effort from the young rider, who had not only secured a coveted World Cup double clear but had also established a time that would prove impossible to beat.

Jeremy Whale, riding Kingslea Centrose, came agonisingly close crossing the finish line clear in 46.61 seconds, just 0.47 seconds behind Cody.

There was further reason for Cody to be pleased with his evening, having also finished sixth aboard Fairview Calquidam. The 13-year-old gelding produced a clear opening round before collecting eight penalties in the second, giving Cody two combinations inside the top six in his first World Cup appearance.

Third place went to Sam Overton and Oaks Cassanova, who finished on a total of five penalties. The combination incurred four jumping penalties in the opening round before adding just a single time penalty in the second, securing another podium finish for the combination.

Advertisement

James Mooney and KPH Cavatina finished fourth on six penalties, having been one of the four combinations to produce an opening-round clear. A further six penalties in the second round saw them finish just behind Sam.

For Madeline Sinderberry, who entered the Tamworth qualifier leading the Australian World Cup League standings, it was a seventh-place finish aboard Camie Z. The combination completed the competition with 12 penalties, having collected eight in the opening round and four in the second.

Saturday evening also marked another exciting milestone for Australian Jumping, with 18-year-old twins Emily and Elkee Lang-McMahon both making their World Cup debut. This World Cup Qualifier at just 18 years of age represents an important step in their developing careers.

The Tamworth qualifier was generously supported by Carmyle Veterinary Services and hosted by the North & North West Show Jumping Club, with the event once again providing an opportunity for riders to compete at international level in regional New South Wales.

For Cody, the significance of the past seven days is difficult to overstate. Last Saturday, he was celebrating victory in a landmark competition for Australia’s Under 25 riders. Yesterday, he was standing at the top of a World Cup podium, having delivered a faultless performance in his World Cup Debut.