Aussies Tokyo Bound after a Brilliant Day at WEG!
Day 3 of the jumping programme at WEG 2018 has concluded with the Australians having an absolutely brilliant day.
In summary:
- Three of our four combinations improved their positions from the end of day 2.
- After three days competition all four combinations finished in the top 35 out of 124 starters.
- Two of our combinations finished in the top 25 and thereby qualify for the individual medal rounds on Sunday.
- In four rides, over a massive 1.65m course, the Australians only had two rails between them, and
- By finishing 6th in the teams event, Australia has automatically qualified for the 2020 Olympics in Japan.
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Let’s look at how the day unfolded.
First of the Australians out were Jamie Kermond and Yandoo Oaks Constellation. Kermond rode a great first half of the course, however, jump 11, immediately after the triple, proved to be a problem, taking a rail. Along with a single time penalty, the extra five penalties incurred today took him to a total of 13.53 and so started a nervous wait to see if he would make the top 25. Ultimately, Kermond missed out on qualifying by less than 2 penalties, finishing in a very respectable 29th place.
Next to ride was Scott Keach and Fedor. Keach, starting in 43rd needed a great round today to move up into the top 25. However, once again, a single rail down at jump 11 and a single time penalty saw his score taken from 12.22 to 17.22. Unfortunately, this was not enough to make the top 25, finishing in 35th place.
Third out was Billy Raymont and Oaks Redwood. Raymont rode a brilliant clear round, placing him in 12th and with only 17 combinations to come, another nervous wait commenced. Ultimately, his brilliance was rewarded and he finished 23rd and now has a rest day prior to the finals day on Sunday.
Australian Jumping’s Seamus Marwood interviewed Raymont shortly after his performance:
The final Australian combination, who were placed 3rd after Day 1 was Rowan Willis and Blue Movie. Willis picked up where Raymont left off, going clear in a fast time. With no penalties to add to his total of 8.31 Willis secured 11th place and, as with Raymont, will return on Sunday to battle it out for the individual medals.
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Selected individual placings after Day 3 are as follows:
| Place | Country | Rider Name | Horse Name | D1 | D2 | D3 | Total |
| 1st | Germany | Simone Blum | DSP Alice | 2.47 | 0 | 0 | 2.47 |
| 2nd | Austria | Max Kuhner | Chardonnay | 2.97 | 0 | 0 | 2.97 |
| 3rd | Switzerland | Martin Fuchs | Clooney | 0.68 | 4 | 0 | 4.68 |
| 11th | Australia | Rowan Willis | Blue Movie | 0.31 | 8 | 0 | 8.31 |
| 23rd | Australia | Billy Raymont | Oaks Redwood | 3.48 | 8 | 0 | 11.48 |
| 29th | Australia | Jamie Kermond | Yandoo Oaks Constellation | 3.53 | 5 | 5 | 13.53 |
| 35th | Australia | Scott Keach | Fedor | 4.22 | 8 | 5 | 17.22 |
In the teams competition, Australia, who started the day in 8th place, managed to improve to finish the competition in 6th out of the 25 teams that started the competition on day 1. This is a fantastic achievement for the Australians who by making the top 6, have automatically qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
See below for the exclusive interview with the team soon after they found out they were Tokyo bound. The champagne was already open so this is “PG rated”!
Selected individual placings after Day 3 are as follows:
| Place | Country | Total |
| 1st | United States | 20.59* |
| 2nd | Sweden | 20.59* |
| 3rd | Germany | 22.09 |
| 4th | Switzerland | 28.64 |
| 5th | Netherlands | 23.35 |
| 6th | Australia | 33.32 |
| 7th | Ireland | 39.12 |
| 8th | Great Britian | 40.04 |
| 9th | France | 44.76 |
| 10th | Canada | 65.89 |
*Jump-off was held to determine placings
Be sure to join us on Sunday evening when we cover the final day of WEG jumping with two Australian combinations in with a real chance of winning a medal.
Jamie Kermond and Yandoo Oaks Constellation. Photo Credit: Seumas Marwood for Australian Jumping
Jamie Kermond and Yandoo Oaks Constellation. Photo Credit: Seumas Marwood for Australian Jumping
Scott Keach and Fedor. Photo Credit: Seumas Marwood for Australian Jumping
Scott Keach and Fedor. Photo Credit: Seumas Marwood for Australian Jumping
Billy Raymont and Oaks Redwood. Photo Credit: Seumas Marwood for Australian Jumping
Billy Raymont and Oaks Redwood. Photo Credit: Seumas Marwood for Australian Jumping
Billy Raymont and Oaks Redwood. Photo Credit: Seumas Marwood for Australian Jumping
Rowan Willis and Blue Movie. Photo Credit: Seumas Marwood for Australian Jumping
