The 2024 Stal Tops Australian Young Rider Series has begun, with the first leg of the four-leg series being held as part of the GDP Classic show yesterday at Boneo Park. The Series, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Australian rider Edwina Tops-Alexander and her husband Jan Tops is now in its sixth season. With four rounds scheduled over the year, Young Rider combinations have the opportunity to score points along the way, with the highest scoring combination being crowned the series winner at the final leg, to be held at SIEC as part of the Summer Classic show in December. Other Legs are scheduled to be held at the Larapinta World Cup Show in April , Jumping@Willinga in September and then the Sydney Summer Classic at the end of the year.

Above: Lorna Reilly and Bellhaven Jazz. Photo Credit: One Eyed Frog Photography.

The series winner will join an illustrious list of previous title winners, those being Erin Buswell and Quero Quero in 2018, Amelia Douglass and Cassis Z Ten Halven in 2019, Madeline Sinderberry and Keilor Bamboo in 2021, Clemency Hughes and Diamond B Corvina in 2022 and last year, Jack Barker and Tulara Colchic.

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With over $4,000 prizemoney on the line yesterday’s first Leg was an exciting affair. A total of 15 combinations presented for the competition and with five clear rounds a jump-off was required to sort out the prizemoney recipients. The jump-off saw two combinations again go clear, however the winners of the class, with a time of 42.28 seconds were Lorna Reilly and Bellhaven Jazz. It was a sweet victory for Lorna and Bellhaven Jazz, who were third in this class last year. Despite being a 19-year-old, Bellhaven Jazz who in 2015 had several World Cup Qualifier starts under Vicki Roycroft, seems to be as spritely as ever.

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Second place, with a jump-off time of 46.84 seconds went to Ashley Cutler and Powerhouse Park Ego Rock. With the fastest four-fault ride in the jump-off, third place went to Jake Tomlinson and his Vivant gelding, Vinchino.

Above: Ashley Cutler and Powerhouse Park Ego Rock. Photo Credit: One Eyed Frog Photography.

Above: Jake Tomlinson and Vinchino. Photo Credit: One Eyed Frog Photography.

Winners of the 2023 series Jack Barker and Tulara Colchic picked up five Series points for placing sixth in yesterday’s class after taking a rail during what was the fastest ride of the class.

It was an exciting way to kick-off the Series for 2024 and we look forward to seeing how the Series unfolds over the rest of the season.

Below is a list of the full placings in the class and the pointscore after the first Leg.

CLASS 16: STAL TOPS AUSTRALIAN YOUNG RIDER SERIES 2024 (LEG 1)

Results sourced from online.equipe.com