Raymont Reigns at Larapinta World Cup
The third leg of the 2024 Australian FEI World Cup season was held this afternoon at Larapinta, located on the South Side of Brisbane. With seven of the top nine riders after the first two legs on today’s start list, it was a high-quality field, which tackled a course, designed by Graeme Watts, that the commentated described as “very tough”, and the results backed up this view.
total of 22 combinations were on the start list and for many of them it was a tough afternoon. We saw four eliminations, four retirements and a further eight combinations record double figure fault counts. Only one combination mastered the course, which were champion Queensland Rider Billy Raymont and gelding Caprino, who recorded a clear round in a time of 103.84 seconds, just 0.16 seconds within the time allowed.
The top 10 combinations returned for a second round, but for those carrying significant fault counts into the second round, they would have been filled with hope rather than expectation. The first two combinations out in the second round, Mattea Davidson and Checkamour D and Madeline Sinderberry and Gredstedgaards Number One, each brough 20 faults with them and added a further rail to finish on a total of 24 faults. Also finishing on 24 was the next combination, Mavrick Miles and Verdasco, who added eight to their first round 16.
The next combination out were Queenslanders Merrick Ubank and young gelding Vakarra Checkassini, who added eight faults to their first round 15, placing them on a total of 23. They were in the lead, but with six combinations to follow, all carrying no more than eight, they needed a miracle to stay in the lead.
The next combination on course in the second round were Clem Smith and Oaks Conjuror, who carried eight faults with them. They put in a fantastic clear round to finish on eight, well in the lead and in doing so, applying pressure to those combinations to follow. Also carrying eight faults into the second round were Jamie Winning-Kermond and World Cup debutante Yandoo Honolulu. Unfortunately for them, a further two rails meant that there would be no place on the podium for them. Mattea Davidson and Jaybee Vigilante were next to tackle the second-round course. Just as they did at Shepparton in the first Leg, they put in a clear second round performance, which placed them in the lead with a total of six.
The second and third last combinations in the second round, both entered the arena carrying just the four faults from round one and with the perfect opportunity to take the lead. The first of these two, James Mooney and his mare KPH Kavatina, didn’t take their opportunity, taking three rails to fnish on 16, however, Gemma Creighton and Dada Des Brimbelles Z did! They delivered the third clear second round to remain on a total of four, snatch the lead from Mattea Davidson and Jaybee Vigilante and put the pressure on the only pair to come.
If Billy Raymont felt any pressure, it did not show. He steered Caprino around the course in a cool calm and clear 78.45 seconds, showing what a world-class rider he is, to claim the victory. It was a wonderful effort, particularly as they had finished no higher than ninth place in the two World Cups completed this year.
Queensland riders seem to be dominating the World Cup Series this year. Not only did they fill the top four placings in today’s class, but Billy joins Mattea Davidson (Leg 1 at Shepparton) and Sam Overton (Leg 2 at Werribee) as the third Queensland winner in three World Cup Qualifiers in 2024.
As the commentator explained after the class that the “cream had risen to the top” to describe Billy and Caprino’s win, we certainly would have to agree. Having already represented Australia on at least two occasions at the last two World Equestrian Games and having conquered today’s very testing course, this combination will definitely be one to watch!
The full listing of the top 12 placegetter in today’s class are listed below.
CLASS 30: NATIONAL STORAGE: CSI1*-W FEI WORLD CUP QUALIFIER – 1.55m
PLACE | RIDER | HORSE |
1st | Billy Raymont | Caprino |
2nd | Gemma Creighton | Dada Des Brimbelles Z |
3rd | Mattea Davidson | Jaybee Vigilante |
4th | Clem Smith | Oaks Conjuror |
5th | James Mooney | KPH Cavatina |
6th | Jamie Winning-Kermond | Yandoo Honolulu |
7th | Merrick Ubank | Vakarra Checkassini |
8th | Mattea Davidson | Checkamour D |
9th | Maverick Miles | Verdasco |
10th | Madeline Sinderberry | Gredstedgaards Number One |
=11th | Sam Whale | Fleur DeLacour |
=11th | Ally Lamb | Eagle Rock |
Results sourced from online-equipe.