Above: Madeline Sinderberry and Gredstedgaards Number One. Photo credit: Michelle Terlato Photography.

The fourth leg of the 2023 Australian World Cup Qualifying Series was conducted this afternoon in brilliant sunny conditions at the Queensland State Equestrian Centre (QSEC) at Caboolture, with Madeline Sinderberry claiming her maiden win at this level at just her seventh start. It was a polished double clear performance by the 23-year-old from NSW who piloted her 13-year-old gelding Gredstedgaards Number One to victory, with less than a second to spare over fellow NSW combination, Sarah-Louise McMillan and Tyrone. Completing an all double-clear podium and flying the flag for Queensland, third place went to Gemma Creighton and Dada Des Brimbelles Z, who is owned by the Huddy Family, owners of Peachester Lodge who sponsored the class.

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A total of 17 combinations made up the class, which was held over a David Sheppard designed course on the main outdoor arena. The first round saw just six clear rounds, however, the top 12 performed combinations were invited back to be part of the second round. The six clears were joined by four combinations carrying four faults and the fastest two of the four eight-faulters.

First out in the seeded order second round were the two eight-faulters which just happened to be the two most recent Australian Senior Champion Riders. Olivia Hamood and Knock Out 111, as well as Tom McDermott and Cooley Gangster each took a rail to finish on a total of 12 faults, putting them out of contention.

The next combination on course was the slowest of the four-faulters, the experienced Clem Smith and Oaks Conjuror. They also took a single rail to finish on 8 faults and in the lead, but not for long.

The fellow Queensland combination of Mattea Davidson and Jaybee Vigilante were next and they showed how it should be done with a clear second round. Their total of four faults, not only put them in the lead, but their fast time of 60.69 seconds put some pressure on those combinations yet to come.

James Mooney and his mare KPH Cavatina, took a trio of rails to drop out of contention. They were followed by Aaron Hadlow and Vahlinvader who took a rail to finish with eight faults, leaving Davidson and Jaybee Vigilante alone in the lead, with the six first round clears to come.

The first of these were Gemma Creighton and Dada Des Brimbelles Z, who put in a brilliant clear round in 58.89 seconds to take the lead and put some real pressure on the five combinations to come. They had to go clear and fast to have any chance of the win and they did!

Above: Gemma Creighton and Dada Des Brimbelles Z. Photo credit: Michelle Terlato Photography.

If the next combination out, Madeline Sinderberry and Gredstedgaards Number One felt any pressure, it did not show. They did exactly what they needed to, going clear in 58.24 seconds to snatch the lead. Having set the standard, this pair now needed to wait for the last for combinations to compete to see if the win would be theirs.

Above: Madeline Sinderberry and Gredstedgaards Number One. Photo credit: Michelle Terlato Photography.

The first combination to try were Frida Lindgren and Mabobri De Mabribo, who took a rail to finish with four faults and eventually take sixth place. The winning combination from the first leg of the series, at Shepparton back in March were next. Sarah-Louise McMillan and Tyrone had a wonderful round. They were clear, however, their time of 58.89 left Sinderberry in the lead by just 0.65 seconds.

Above: Sarah-Louise McMillan and Tyrone. Photo credit: Michelle Terlato Photography.

The penultimate pair on course were Sinderberry again, this time with her second nomination mare, Camie Z. They took a rail, dashing Sinderberry’s chance of a dream one-two finish, however, finished the course in just 56.29 seconds; the fastest time of the day.

There was only one combination that could stop Sinderberry winning and that was Billy Raymont and Caprino, a horse he campaigned in Europe in 2022. While they tried their hardest, they just failed to pip the leaders time and a rail saw them finish with a total of four faults and fifth place.

In the end Sinderberry and Gredstedgaards Number One claimed the victory and were awarded the Bob Major Memorial Trophy, as well as picking up the maximum 20 points in the race for the Australian World Cup Qualifying Series. Sinderberry, who claimed the Australian Young Rider Title on no less than four occasions, looks like she will be a force to reckon with on the Australian Senior riding scene for years to come.

The Series will continue with the fifth leg, scheduled to be held at the Waratah Showjumping Show in Sydney in August.

The top 12 placegetters in the World Cup Qualifier were as follows:

CLASS: PEACHESTER LODGE: FEI WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: OPEN – 1.50-1.60m

Results sourced from online.equipe.com