A very large crowd of excited spectators gathered to watch the Pacific Fair Magic Millions Jumping competition this afternoon at Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast. The event brought together 48 jumping combinations who had earlier been randomly allocated  into 12 corporate sponsored teams of four and much like Nations Cup competitions, only the best three performances from each team would could towards the team total.

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Each corporate “slot holder” had invested to be part of the day, which went a long way towards providing a total prize pool of $1,450,000, matching the record prize money on offer from last year. With $245,000 going to the winning team, scaling down to $75,000 for twelfth place, the stakes were never higher.

Slot holders and the four combinations assigned to each team are listed below.

Newhaven Park: Tyrone Latham and Yirrkala Harriett, Clem Hughes and YPH Capulet, Ally Lamb and Eagle Rock and Jessica Stalling and Chatina.

Domeland: Brock Everingham and Kannai, Sam Overton and Conchita Van De Helle, Brad Frankum and Oaks Calypso, Clem Smith and Oaks Conjuror.

James Harron Bloodstock: Billy Raymont and Tulara Dakchico, Angela Dobbin and Gabriel MVNZ, Bella Du Plessis and Monte Carlo MVNZ, Sarah Duggan and Dublin.

GPI Racing and Newgate Farm: Jamie Winning-Kermond and Bossanova NZPH, Will Mathew and KPH Maddison, Jennifer Wood and Cocaine Ego Z, Becky Jenkins and Fairview Alicana.

Godolphin Lifetime Care: James Mooney and KPH Cavatina, Peter McMahon and Balmoral Lassandra, Nina Griffiths and Mr Zizou, Jess Brown and Casting.

Washpool Lodge: Ross Smith and Valentino QSH, William Dight and Thea, Thomas Sedger and Elmo, Tom McDermott and Cadenza NZPH.

Martin Collins Australia: Andrew Lamb and Oaks Ever Red, Courtney Scott and Second Chance, Rachel Malcolm and Onessa MVNZ, and Emma Collins and Oaks Abracadabra.

The Australian Headliners: Brook Dobbin and Gina MVNZ, Andrew Cooper and Sharvalley Thunder, Chris Holland and Elsa, Sam Whale and Fleur DeLcour.

Equine International Airfreight: Robert Palm and Jaybee Vibrant, Nick Taliana and Adesman, Rhys Stones and Kanntador, Jessica Pateman and Celso.

Arrowfield Stud: Jess Rice-Ward and Tulara Diarangol, Mattea Davidson and Checkamour D, Emily Patterson and Libertarian, and Olivia Hamood and Yirrkala Cassey.

Brisbane Racing Club: Frida Lindgren and Van Damme, Tess McInerney and Lincoln MVNZ, Samantha Dernee and Laurel Glen Quintessence, Gemma Creighton and Dada Des Brimbelles Z.

El Caballo: James Paterson-Robinson and Yirrkala Cameron, Hayley Morris and On The Point Laurent Perrier, Shane Davidson and Jaybee Vigilante, Phillip Lever and Lomachenko.

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The list above also provides the order in which the combinations came out for the first three rotations, with the final rotation performing in seeded order.

During the first rotation there were a large range of performances. There were two elimination as well as a ride which left all the rails in place, but incurred two time penalties by Robert Palm and Jaybee Vibrant, representing team Equine International Airfreight.  

Above: Robert Palm and Jaybee Vibrant

The second rotation saw another team incur an elimination as well as the first clear round by Nick Taliana and Adesman, again representing Equine International Airfreight. At the half way stage of the competition, they were the only team which still had a chance of finishing on a total of Zero.

Above: Nick Taliana and Adesman

The third rotation saw just two clear rounds, achieved by the Newhaven Park combination of Ally Lamb and Eagle Rock, emulating their clear performance in last year’s competition and Rachel Malcolm and Onessa MVNZ, representing Team Martin Collins Australia.

Above: Ally Lamb and Eagle Rock

The competition was all set for an exciting final rotation with the teams coming out in seeded order.

With a best possible score of just two, Equine International Airfreight were in the box position, however, with four other teams sitting on a best possible score of 10 or less, the competition was anybody’s.

Most of the teams that were out early in the fourth seeded rotation incurred multiple penalties, all adding to their scores. It wasn’t until the third last team out, Domeland, represented by Clem Smith and Oaks Conjuror put in a clear round, that things really heated up. Their efforts put their team on a final total of seven putting some real pressure on the last two teams. Second last out were team Newhaven Park, represented by Jessica Stalling and Chatina. Their best possible score was six, however a rail saw them finish on a total of 10 and with a fast time, that was enough to snatch third place from Martin Collins Australia who also finished on 10.

Above: Clem Smith and Oaks Conjuror

The last combination on course, representing Equine International Airfreight were Jess Pateman and Celso. They had a rail to spare over their nearest competition, however, this was used up very early in their round, which meant one more mistake and the competition would be lost. In a wonderful round, with ice running through her veins, Jess steered Celso around the course without any further faults, finishing in a time of 84.91 seconds, just 0.09 seconds quicker than the time allowed to claim victory for Equine International Airfreight for the second year in a row.

Above: Jess Pateman and Celso

It was a wonderful afternoon of entertainment, keeping the large crowd on the edge of their seats, watching jumping at its finest, where over two hours of competition, came down to the last combination to determine the winners. For the large crowd in attendance, we suspect that the day will live long in the memory of all.

The Jumping community in Australia has a great deal to thank Katie Page for. Katie has worked tirelessly to turn an idea just three years ago into a full- blown success that has set a new standard for Jumping events in Australia. We look forward to seeing what she has in store for the future.

Full results of the Pacific Fair Magic Millions Senior team competition were as follows:

PLACE	TEAM	R1	R2	R3	R4	Tot
1st	Equine International Airfreight	2	0	12	4	6
2nd	Domeland	EL	2	5	0	7
3rd	Newhaven Park	6	23	0	4	10*
4th	Martin Collins Australia	10	26	0	0	10*
5th	Washpool Lodge	EL	9	8	0	17*
6th	The Australian Headliners	5	8	28	4	17*
7th	GPI Racing & Newgate Farm	19	10	4	4	18
8th	Godolphin Lifetime Care	9	6	6	16	21
9th	Brisbane Racing Club	4	15	13	6	23
10th	El Caballo	4	13	8	12	24
11th	James Harron Bloodstock	16	EL	1	8	25
12th	Arrowfield Stud	23	9	33	14	46

Third and fourth places were determined by times of the fourth rider.
Fifth and sixth places were determined by times of the fourth rider