Aussie riders on the hunt for Olympic Games selection

See which Australian equestrians are in top form in the lead-up to the Olympic Games. Plus, all the showjumping action from Werribee Park.

Hot competition: Keven Mc Nab on Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam at the Land Rover Kentucky Horse trials.

THE Olympic Games are just 80 days away and potential equestrian team members showed they are waiting for the call-up, here and overseas.

Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam put in a super performance to finish in sixth place at Land Rover Kentucky 3DE CCI5*-L.

The Land Rover Kentucky Horse Trials is one of the world’s most prestigious events and is the first CCI5*-L competition to run in 2021 and only one of six scheduled to run in the world this year.

“I am so proud of his sixth-place finish in a very large and competitive field,” said Kevin.

Back home at Wallaby Hill in NSW, Olympian Stuart Tinney riding Celebration, owned by Elisabeth Brinton, showed he is in top form at Wallaby Hill in a star studded CCI4*-S competition. They took the lead on the first day of competition with a score of 25.80 and followed it up with good jumping rounds to win the event.

Sam Lyle riding BF Valour moved up from seventh to finish in second place, only 1.6-time penalties ahead of 25 years old West Australian, Shenae Lowings with Shane Rose filling fourth and fifth places with Virgil and Easy Turn.

In Dressage, overseas Olympian Kristy Oatley and Du Soleil won both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special classes in Poland at the CDI3* competition Zakrzow.

German-based Victorian rider, Simone Pearce looks almost certain for a team place, with Destano, after top placings in strong competition, and in Australia at the Sydney CDI Dressage championships, Mary Hanna’s two mares Calanta and Syriana continue to score in the over 70 per cent level, as did Matthew Dowsley and Santiago so selection for Tokyo will be interesting.

Eurostar shines in title victory

PERFECT weather, wonderfully prepared arenas and Werribee Park dressed to impress made for excellent conditions at the Victorian State Jumping Titles, held at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre over four days.

Riders came from as far as Western Australia and Queensland and competition was very strong with up to 90 riders in some classes. The Senior title class was held over three days with a stand alone class each day but the title went to the most successful combination across the competition.

Amber Fuller and CP Aretino showed why they are former Australian Champions by winning the first round of the Martin Collins Victorian Senior Championship. Fuller jumped a fast clear round to take the class from Ally Lamb and Eagle Rock.

The second round of the Senior title was a 1.45m jump off class and although nine horses jumped clear in the first round no one could get close to James Arkins and Eurostar who finished the jump off five seconds faster than second placed Frida Lindgren and Ashleigh City Lights.

Coming into the final round the title was still in reach of a few riders so course designer David Sheppard set a tough testing track at 1.50m.

Jamie Kermond showed why he is a multi-Australian Champion when he jumped the only double clear round aboard Galliano MS to take out the final round of competition.

However it was James Arkins on eight year old stallion Eurostar who was crowned Victorian Senior State Champion after consistent performances across the weekend. Zara Adnams rode the super pony Digmac Disco King to win all three sections of the Victorian Children’s championship. This combination had spectators holding their breath as they went at break neck speed to win the title from Tanner Robinson and Shady Creek Blue Fire. Sydney rider Lucie Locke rode her Diamonte to be crowned the Victorian Junior champion.

— Liz Richardson

Speed and talent draw crowd cheers

WERRIBEE  Park Equestrian Centre was full to the brim for the Victorian State Showjumping Titles.

The Victorian Speed championship is always full of thrills and spills and this year was no exception. Local speed demon and hot favourite Airlie Robinson and Yalambi’s Corlandia had everyone cheering but it was James Arkins and Yalambi’s Jaguar who beat Robinson’s time by almost 4 seconds to take home the title.

The Amateur Championship was won by Paige Cartwright riding Kitara Boizel who jumped a super fast double clean round to take the class from Dan Leach and Killara Park Cassius Clay. Brook Dobbin rode Adelyn Fallon’s Velvet Cate to be named the Victorian Stars of the Future Champions. Dobbin and Velvet Cate jumped a double clear round to take the event from Frida Lindgren and Van Damme.

The Snowman series for horses nine years and above was a two way split when Jamie Kermond on Tulara Colchic and Laura Sloey on Beijing Lis La Silla could not be separated and took home equal first.

The Mini Prix series was a very strong field but it was Jess Stones on Chatina JRE who could not be beaten. This combination jumped the only double clear of the class.

Jenna Bloomfield made a quick trip to Melbourne with Warnie to win the Milton 1.20m series. Bloomfield had been successful across all three days of competition but a win on the final day saw her named series champion.

The Hickstead series had up to 80 horses competing each day but it was Jess Kiernan and Cera Cascaleto who won two of the three competitions to be named Hickstead series champions. Nellie Rodgers and Rocket Rod were unbeatable in the 1m Stroller Series winning on all four days and taking home the series championship.

The Gem Twist series was won by Lola Edwards and Viewmont Arni.

— Liz Richardson

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