Above: Claire Zylstra and Harvey B

After three days of competition, Claire Zylstra and Harvey B have emerged as Australian Junior Champions for 2022. It was an exhilarating final which kept the large crowd on the edge of their seats until the last combination had completed the course.

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After the two preliminary rounds, held on Thursday and Friday, entrants were ranked based on their finishing positions in those classes. The top 30 ranked combinations competed in today’s final, each carrying with them a calculated number of penalties based on their performance relative to the best performed combination in the qualifying rounds. The best performed combination was Cody Tincknell and James Continue, who had the luxury of starting today with zero penalties, while every other combination had to try and catch them. The top 11 combinations and their penalties going into the final were as follows:

In the first round today, most of the competitors incurred penalties, advancing their scores. Clear rounds by Simone Sorensen and Yalambi’s Karajini and Jett Newman and Wanda helped their cause. Cody Tinckell and James Continue took two rails, while their two nearest rivals only took one, evening things right up. Going into the second round, where the top 16 came back to compete, the top five were as follows:

Coming out in reverse order, Olivia Hewitt-Toms and Celerity Park LM Star put the pressure on those behind them by going clear, finishing the competition on 12 penalties. The next combination out, Jett Newman and Wanda did the same to finish on 11. It was an excellent performance, delivering two clear rounds today while the pressure was on. Simone Sorensen and Yalambi’s Karajini were the next combination on course and unfortunately for them, they were eliminated after two refusals. Claire Zylstra and Harvey B went clear to remain on eight, securing a place on the podium. However, they would have to wait to see exactly where they would finish. The second last combination on course were Cody Tincknell and James Continue, needing a clear round to remain in the title race, however it was not to be. They took a rail to take their total for 12 and they would go on the eventually finish in third place. The final combination out were Ella Hayward and Edena DP. A clear round meant the title was theirs however a pair of rails meant they finished on 15 and in fifth position.

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It was a fantastic result for Claire and Harvey B, who held their nerve while their competitors fell by the wayside. In her last year competing as a Junior Claire picked the right day to ride her best.

Congratulations to the winner and all the placegetters:

CLASS 38: HORSELAND – AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP (FINAL) – 1.25-1.35m