After consecutive World Cup events in Queensland at Caboolture and Gatton, the third round of the 2019-20 Australian World Cup Qualifying Series was held this afternoon at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre (SIEC). The class was run in the indoor arena on the wonderful new surface, on a testing and exciting course built by Michael Hease, in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd. With a course time allowed of 86 seconds and with the rails set at 1.60m, clear rounds were always going to be difficult to come by and this proved to be the case.

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The first ten combinations on course all took at least one rail, with four penalties being the best score, which was achieved twice up to that point. Eleventh combination out, Billy Raymont and Anton were the first pair to clear all the rails, however, they were just 0.48 seconds over the time allowed, taking a single time penalty. It wasn’t until all 21 combinations had attempted the course, that Raymont and Anton were confirmed as the leading combination going into the Second Round.

Billy Raymont and Anton

With 12 combinations invited back to compete in the Second Round, Raymont and Anton with just one penalty, were joined by the four 4-faulters; Tom McDermott and Elegance De La Charmille, Katie Laurie and Casebrook Lomond, Kate Hinschen and Finch Farm Cadel and last year’s Series Winners, Aaron Hadlow and Vahlinvader. The rest of the Second Round field was comprised of the three 5-faulters (Chris Chugg and PSS Levilensky, David Cameron and Finch Farm Clifford, and Gabrielle Kuna and Flaire), the two 8-faulters (Tom McDermott and Alpha Activity, and Gabrielle Kuna and Cera Cassiago) and finally, the two 9-faulters (Stephen Dingwall and Cavalier Du Rouet and Amber Fuller and CP Aretino). Any combination with more than nine faults could head back to the stables for a well earned rest.

With faults from the first round being carried forward to the Second Round, Raymont and Anton were in the box seat, with the pressure on all the others to catch them. A clear Second Round by Raymont and Anton would be enough to secure victory and with a time allowed of 62 seconds, this seems a distinct possibility

First out in the Second Round were the current Australian Senior Champion combination of Amber Fuller and CP Aretino. They took a single rail to finish on a total of 13 faults. Stephen Dingwall and Cavalier Du Rouet were next. They took two rails to drop out of contention with a total of 17.

Next out and starting with five carry over faults was Gabrielle Kuna and Flaire. They took a single rail to finish with nine faults. The lead was soon taken off them by the next combination of Tom McDermott and Alpha Activity, who went clear to finish on a total of eight faults.

Making her second appearance in Round Two and out next was Gabrielle Kuna and Cera Cassiago. They took a tile off the top of the wall jump, to add four faults to their carry over eight to finish on a total of 12.

David Cameron and Finch Farm Clifford were next. They also took a tile from the wall and a time penalty to add five faults to their previous five to total ten. Next out was Chris Chugg, who came into the Waratah event in second place in the series, in combination with PSS Levilensky. They rode a beautiful clear round to finish on just five faults, taking the lead and putting the pressure on the combinations to follow.

Chris Chugg and PSS Levilensky

Next came the first of the First Round 4-faulters, Aaron Hadlow and Vahlinvader. They took a single rail to finish on a total of eight faults and claim second place for the time being. Kate Hinschen and Finch Farm Cadel were next. They took Chugg’s lead, also going clear in 59.14 seconds, to finish on a total of four faults and provisionally take the lead.

Kate Hinschen and Finch Farm Cadel

The next combination out were Katie Laurie and Casebrook Lomond. Coming into the Second Round on four faults, they almost made it a third clear round, but a late rail took away their chance of victory.

Tom McDermott and Elegance De La Charmille were next. As the crowd held their breath, this pair attacked the course and rode magnificently to go clear in 57.17 seconds, taking the lead and pushing Hinschen and Finch Farm Cadel back to second.

Tom McDermott and Elegance De La Charmille

The last combination on course was Billy Raymont and Anton. Starting on just one carry over fault, they needed a clear round to take out the class. Under the ultimate pressure, Raymont and Anton rose to the occasion to record a clear round and take out the victory. It was a brave effort from Raymont who competed with a serious ankle ligament injury.

Australian Jumping congratulates Raymont and all the placegetters for providing a wonderful jumping spectacle this afternoon.

The full placings from this class are listed below:

 We look forward to the next World Cup round at the Adelaide Royal Show in two week’s time.