Gatton's World Cup Qualifier tests Australia's top riders

Not one horse and rider combination jumped a clear first round at the Gatton World Cup Qualifier, which Stuart Jenkins believes amped up the competition.

Sam Buchanan and Diamond B Vixen reach to clear one of the 1.60m verticals. Picture: Ali Kuchel

EQUESTRIAN: Not one horse and rider combination jumped a clear first round at the Gatton World Cup Qualifier, which local showjumper Stuart Jenkins believes amped up the competition.

"It was a surprise no one went clear in the first round," Jenkins said.

"I thought I could have jumped clean even though I was on a young horse."

Jenkins and his gelding, Fairview Animation, were the highest-placed local riders in the fourth FEI World Cup qualifier, held at the Gatton Show Grounds on Sunday.

They finished third behind leading Australian champion David Cameron.

It was only Fairview Animation's third time in a World Cup qualifier, and Jenkins said he was proud of his young horse.

FEI World Cup qualifier, Gatton

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"I was very happy for a young horse in his third start to finish third," Jenkins said.

"It was a significantly tough track. Predominantly the course was above the 1.50m mark with quite a few challenges.

"The course rode a lot tougher than we first thought."

Riders and their horses were vying for qualification points for the World Cup final as they tackled two 1.6m verticals around the course.

The highest-qualified horse and rider combination at the

end of the World Cup qualifying series will earn a place to represent Australia in Gothenburg, Sweden, next year.

Jenkins said he would like to compete at the World Cup, but it would be a few years before he would be able to compete in enough qualifiers to have a shot.

"I'd definitely like to, but my horse is too young at the moment," Jenkins said.

Not only did Jenkins face a tough course, but along with other local riders he was up against some of the nation's best show jumpers.

Three-time Olympian Vicki Roycroft and current Australian champion Cameron kept the local riders on their toes.

Cameron and his mare, RR Dyranta, dropped one rail in the first round and finished the second round with no faults.

"Chris Chugg went before me and he went quite fast," Cameron said.

"I just went as quickly as I could go and she (RR Dyranta) jumped really well."

Cameron said it was the fourth year he had competed in Gatton.

"As far as the World Cup tracks go, that was the toughest track in about two years," he said.

"But we need that to keep up with all the European riders."

Vicki Roycroft said it wasn't often the riders had to jump courses with 1.6m fences.

Roycroft and her first horse, Congo Z, placed sixth overall on Sunday.

"I should have jumped a clear round, it was rider error," Roycroft said.

"The horse and I are more than capable of it, but I was more focused on my second horse because it was her first World Cup start."

Jenkins, Cameron and Roycroft will continue to Caboolture this weekend for the fourth World Cup qualifier, with the fifth qualifier taking those following the World Cup dream to South Australia.

For more World Cup Qualifier photos, see our gallery at http://www.gattonstar.com.au.