Victory for Australian Young Guns in 2017 Oceania Championships

Gemma Tinney

Australia’s Young Rider team cruised to a comfortable victory in the CCI2* Young Rider leg of the 2017 Oceania Championships today at the Melbourne International 3 Day Event. 

The team of four women including Gemma Tinney, Shenae Lowings, Olivia Barton and Tayah Andrew went into the final show jumping phase with a dominant lead and they maintained their strong position right until the very end to win by 65 penalties.

Three of the four riders jumped clear in front of a packed crowd at Werribee Park and proved they each have exciting futures and could one day grace the world stage for Australia.

“We are really proud of the guys not only today but all this week. Under the leadership of Will Enzinger the team including reserves have prepared really well as a group.”

“All three phases have been a standout and a real testament to the future talent of eventing in this country,” said Equestrian Australia’s High Performance Director Chris Webb.

“Off the horse the guys have become a really close-knit group and this has translated to their performance in the saddle.”

“The group has been extremely well supported by their families and support networks who have all rallied together,” said Webb.

Gemma Tinney (45.70) finished the competition on her dressage score and secured second in the overall standings behind NSW rider Andrew Barnett (41.90). “

Tinney gave huge credit to her Warmblood x Thoroughbred mare Annapurna for the result.

“The mare has been so good. She still surprises me every event and we have a great partnership and I enjoy every moment I sit on her,” Tinney said.

She also praised her Oceania Championships team mates.  “I think we work really well as a team and we bonded well and have established great friendships out of this.”

Shanae Lowings was 4^th placed overall (51.60), Olivia Barton 5^th (51.90) and  Tayah Andrew finished 11^th (59.30) on her talented grey gelding Silver Force that travelled all the way across from Western Australia.

Final results http://bspscoring.com/M3DE/2017/SJ_1706_CCI2.html

Webb commended the Young Rider team on the preparation of their horses for this week’s event.

“All horses came into the competition extremely well conditioned and ready for the task at hand,” he said.

In the senior ranks the Australians were unable to beat a strong New Zealand contingent of riders that ventured across the Tasman this year.  Jock Paget and Angus Blue won the CCI3* class (46.90) and his team mate Samantha Felton was second (49.20).

Stuart Tinney was the highest finishing Australian representative rider in fifth with War Hawk (53.60). Reserve rider Rohan Luxmoore’s performance to end in 7^th position was encouraging.

Final results http://bspscoring.com/M3DE/2017/SJ_1706_CCI3.html

“Sam Lyle and his team were presented with some challenges throughout the weekend and although we are disappointed with the results this gives us something to work on with the group going forward,” said Chris Webb.

“Future talent both horse and rider in this country has proven that the Eventing community in Australia is really making a mark.” 

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