Australia has finished fourth in the 150,000 US dollar FEI Nations Cup at Wellington. Led by newly appointed Chef d’Equipe, Gavin Chester, the Aussie team completed the two rounds on a total of 17 penalties in a competitive international field.

Under Nations Cup rules, the best three scores from each round count toward the team total.

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In round one, Australia carried five penalties from Jamie Winning-Kermond and Tulara Wat Colblensky, eight from Thaisa Erwin and Hialita B, and a clear round from Lauren Balcomb and Verdini D’Houtveld Z. Hilary Scott and Lola recorded nine penalties, which became the drop score. The team total after the opening round was 13.

Jamie returned in the second round to add four penalties, while Hilary also reduced her score to four penalties. Thaisa produced a clear round in round two, with that clear becoming one of the counting scores.

Lauren and Verdini D’Houtveld Z produced Australia’s only double clear performance, jumping clear again in round two to anchor the team.

Australia added just eight penalties in the second round from the three counting combinations, bringing the final total to 17.

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The United States won on zero penalties, Ireland finished on four, and Canada completed the podium on 13. Australia finished equal on penalties with Mexico
but placed fourth overall with their quicker combined time.

The result reflects consistency across both rounds, highlighted by Lauren’s double clear and strong second-round performances from Jamie, Hilary and Thaisa as the competition tightened.

Full results: https://www.wellingtoninternational.com/showgrounds/daily-results/

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