Tom McDermott and his stallion Cachassini II have taken out the Pryde’s EasiFeed Australian Jumping Senior Championship at Boneo Park this afternoon. It is McDermott’s third senior title after winning previously in 2012 and 2019.

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After the two preliminary rounds, held on Thursday and Friday, entrants were ranked based on their finishing positions in those classes. The top 17 ranked combinations competed in today’s final, each carrying with them a calculated number of penalties based on their performance relative to the best performed combination in the qualifying rounds. The best performed combination was McDermott and Cachassini II. Having won both preliminary rounds, they had the luxury of carrying zero penalties, having an advantage over every other combination. The top eight combinations and their penalties going into the final were as follows:

During the first round, most of the combinations recorded faults to advance their scores. The 2021 Senior champions Olivia Hamood and Jane Fonda DVD went clear as did Frida Lindgren and Big Dream Z, with both combinations remaining on nine penalties. Also, Isabella Stones and Oaks Ventriloquist who started the day in equal thirteenth place went clear to remain on 12. Tom and Cachassini II blotted their record by taking their first rail of the Championship. Going into the second round, where just 15 combinations competed, the top five looked like this:

Above: Tom McDermott and Cachassini II.

During round 2, after the other 10 combinations had come and gone, we got down to the pointy end of the competition. Izabella Stone and Oaks Ventriloquist produced another great round again going clear to remain on 12 and put the pressure on those following her. Sam Overton and Oaks Cassanova were next. They almost managed to stay on 10, however a rail at the last fence put them on a total of 14 to eventually finish fourth. The 2021 champions Olivia Hamood and Jane Fonda DVD picked a bad time to take three rails. The extra 12 penalties added to their current nine, put them on a total of 21 and out of contention. Frida Lindgren and Big Dream Z started the round on nine and finished on 17 after a pair of rails, dropping to sixth place.

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When McDermott and Cachassini II entered the arena they had a lead of eight penalties, but he left no doubt. In a polished performance he again went clear to finish on four penalties and take the championship. Izabella Stone and Oaks Ventriloquist had a day out, going from 13th to 2nd by virtue of a double clear performance. Just a single rail today was enough to secure Mattea Davidson and Checkamour D third place.

Below is the full list of placings in the Senior Championship.

CLASS 40: PRYDE’S EASIFEED – AUSTRALIAN SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP (FINAL) – 1.50-1.65m