Above: Lucy Locke and Quero Quero. Photo credit: One Eyed Frog Photography.

The first class of the 2022 Stal Tops Australian Young Rider Series was held this afternoon as part of the GDP Classic show held at Boneo Park. The Series, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Australian rider Edwina Tops-Alexander and her husband Jan Tops is now in it’s fourth season.

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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, to be held at SIEC as part of the Summer Classic show in December.

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Today’s first round saw a field of 16 combinations entered and a result which was as close as possible without there being a tie. Of the 16 combinations there were four clear rounds, all from NSW based riders, which meant a jump-off would be required.

In the jump-off, Jess Rice-Ward and Dusky Farm Cavalier incurred eight faults and had to settle for fourth place, while Anneliese Wansey and Grandiamo ended up with a total of four faults to finish in third. The other two combinations in the jump-off both went clear so it came down to times.

Above: Anneliese Wansey and Grandiamo. Photo credit: One Eyed Frog Photography.

Second place with a jump-off time of 36.18 seconds went to a young lady who was recently named the Champion Young Rider at Sydney Royal. Clemency Hughes and Diamond B Corvina, fresh from their success in the Sydney Royal Young Rider Grand Prix had to settle for second place today.

Above: Clemency Hughes and Diamond B Corvina. Photo credit: One Eyed Frog Photography.

The win by the barest of margins, with a jump-off time of 36.17 seconds went to Lucy Locke and her little bay gelding Quero Quero. It should be noted that Quero Quero himself is no stranger to success in the Stal Tops Series as he carried Erin Buswell to win the inaugural series in 2018.

Lucy Locke and Quero Quero. Photo credit: One Eyed Frog Photography.

It was a great start to the Series and we look forward to seeing how things unfold over the rest of the year.

Below is a list of the full placings in the class and an unofficial pointscore.

CLASS 24: STAL TOPS – YOUNG RIDER SERIES