Queensland World Cup Circuit Done and Dusted for 2014

The 2014 Jumping World Cup series was re-ignited at Gatton with 36 starters contesting for the second Equestrian Grand Final Qualifier. Paula Hamood from Kilcoy (QLD) took out the class with 4 penalties accumulated in the second round on her 17 year old, grey warmblood, Nero GHP.  Merrick Ubank landed second position on Aladino after he came in less than a second over Hamood’s time in the second round. Paula’s 22 year old daughter, Olivia was among the field finishing the class in 9^th place on her 10 year old, chestnut, mare GH Eternal Flame.

The next weekend the World Cup Series headed 136km north to Caboolture. Matthew Afford and Kaluna Thunder Struck took out the class with a mere penalty to the combination’s name. Second position came down to time as six competitors were sitting on 4 penalties. Clem Smith and Kartoon de Breve earned their second placing by less than a second with Merrick Ubank and Aladino hot on their heels placing 3^rd.

The Brisbane Royal marked the conclusion of the World Cup circuit in Queensland with Billy Raymont winning the class with his 11 year old bay gelding, Anton. Raymont and Anton are relatively new to the World Cup scene only debuting at this level at Gatton 3 week’s earlier. Time was again the essence of success with five combinations accumulating four penalties over the two rounds. In second place was Rhys Stones on BS On Air and finishing less than a second behind her partner Rhys was Jessica Stalling and Diamond B Vermon.

Shane Davidson from Kings Siding (QLD) is currently leading the rider ranks, following his consistent success in all four of the season’s World Cup classes, with Merrick Ubank trailing by only 4 points. Kaluna Thunderstuck owned and campaigned by Matthew Afford is currently sitting on top of the Golden Grand leader board.  

The excitement of the next World Cup Jumping series will continue at Gawler SA on the 31st August 2014.

 View the results HERE