The fifth leg of the 2023 Australian FEI World Cup Qualifying Series has been decided this afternoon at the Waratah World Cup Show at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre. The very impressive win, went to Amber Fuller and Nopal Van Tallaert who claimed the victory after a nail-biting 2 round competition which had the large crowd on the edge of their seats for the duration of the class. They were deserved winners, achieving the only double clear performance of the class.

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A total of 21 of the best combinations in the country formed the start list, to tackle the Mark Atkins designed course. Of these combinations, three managed clear rounds and they were automatically invited to return for a second round. Making up the 12 combinations allowed back for the second round were a further six four-faulters and two eight-faulters with a another 8-fault combination declining to start in the second round.

First out in the second round were Sarah McMillan and Tyrone, winners of the Shepparton Leg of the Series, carrying 8 faults with them. It was not to be their day, with three rails and a couple of time penalties carrying their total score to 22, putting them out of contention.

The next combination out were the other 8-fault pair of Jennifer Wood and Cocaine Ego Z. They had a good round with just a rail down taking them to a total of 12.

Next we saw Mattea Davidson with her World Cup points nomination Checkamour D. They had a great round, going clear and finishing on a total of 4, which placed them in the lead for the time being and really putting some pressure on those to come.

James Mooney and KPH Kavatina also carried 4 penalties into the ring for Round 2, but their chance of victory disappeared with the addition of 10 faults in the second round.

After a short delay, Mattea Davidson was back in the ring, this time with Jaybee Vigilante. While a further 2 rails meant they could not win, Mattea and Checkamour D were still clinging to the lead, now with just six combinations to come.

The visitors from New Zealand, Brooke Edgecombe and LT Holst Andrea, were out next but took a rail to finish up with a total of 8, which was exactly what the next pair out, Tom McDermott and Cooley Gangster, achieved.

The last of the 4-faulters to appear in the second round were Aaron Hadlow and Vahlinvader, who had already put in a series of strong performances over this weekend and during the warm-up weekend. They kept the form going with a clear round and a swift time, (51.70) seconds to slot into the lead with just the three first round clears to come.

The first of these to tackle the course were Billy Raymont and Caprino. A single rail down saw them take their score to a total of 4, however a time of 51.43 seconds saw them take over the lead. With just two combinations to come, they had at least secured a place on the podium.

The penultimate pair on course were Amber Fuller and Nopal Van Tallaert. They put together an excellent round, both clear and fast. Their double clear performance took them straight to the lead and so started a short wait to see if that was where they would stay.

The last combination on course were Madeline Sinderberry and Camie Z. Not only were this pair the best performed combination during the first round, but Madeline had won the previous Leg of the series in Caboolture. Unfortunately for them, it was not their day today. They took a rail, however a fast time of 49.01, secured second place, almost two and a half seconds ahead of Billy.

Above: Madeline Sinderberry and Cami Z.

It was a wonderful class, serving up the best that Jumping has to offer as a sport. Amber along with all the riders in the second round did themselves proud. With less than a year now to the Paris Olympics, we wonder if anybody we saw today in this class might be there at the Palace of Versailles in 2024. Being an indoor class, performances today do not officially count towards riders achieving their Minimum Eligibility Requirement(MER), however, we can’t believe that the performances at the top of the leaderboard today, won’t come under the notice of the selectors.

The next Leg of the Australian World Cup Qualifying Series will take place in Tamworth, next weekend.

The full placings in today’s class are listed below:

CLASS 19: WARATAH SHOWJUMPING GRAND PRIX: CSI1*-W – 1.55m

Results sourced from online.equipe.com