Australian Jumping Team Make WEG Final
The Australian Jumping Team finished 8th after today’s qualifying round and secured themselves a coveted berth in tomorrow’s FEI World Equestrian Games Jumping Final.
Australian Equestrian Team Chef De Mission Chris Webb said;
“The team had a plan today to finish in top 10 and under the leadership of Todd Hinde they executed that plan.”
“The conditions and course was a true championship challenge and our athletes stood up today,” he said.
Rider finishing results and comments;
Jamie Kermond and Yandoo Oaks Constellation - 5 penalties (1 rail and time) total combined score 8.53
“My horse jumped fantastic when I walked the course I sort of knew what I was going to do and then when I walked the last line and I said to myself it’s an inside five (strides) for me and I am a rider that always dares to the last fence.”
“Then for some reason I changed my mind and he was jumping fantastic I landed out of the double and the five was right there and I still tried to do six and I got him in no man’s land and he tried to leave the ground but he’s a big horse and he couldn’t get his back legs together.”
“I got everything right to the last line,” said Kermond.
Scott Keach and Fedor – 4 jumping faults (2 rails) combined score 12.22
“Ï was going to plan but had two cheap verticles. Sometimes that happens that’s jumping,” said Keach.
Billy Raymont and Oaks Redwood – 8 jumping faults (2 rails) combined score 11.48
“After yesterday the horse felt great and like he belongs here a little bit. He was a lot more confident today but with the two faults I had I could have done a better job.“
"He tried his heart out as he always does he’s a seriously cool horse,” said Raymont.
Rowan Willis and Blue Movie – 8 jumping faults (2 rails) combined score 8.31.
“I was really pleased with the way she jumped we jumped the hard parts I was disappointed to have two rails that were silly mistakes but on the other hand to make the top ten and final is an incredible achievement.”
“It’s a real credit to the four of us and we should be very proud of that.”
Equestrian Australia’s Chair of Selectors for Jumping, Graeme Watts, commended the team on their outstanding efforts and put their performance into statistical perspective.
“Considering that out of 119 starters there were only five clear rounds and four on one time penalty it is an amazing effort and we are very proud of them.”
“We will all be cheering for them in the final,” said Watts.
Team placings after today's competition are:
1 - Switzerland
2 - USA
3 - Germany
4 - Sweden
5 - Netherlands
6 - Ireland
7 - France
8 - Australia
9 - Great Britain
10 - Canada
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