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Seumas Marwood wins Exhibition Eventing qualifier in Melbourne

Published on Saturday, October 1, 2011 in General

 

Last night Seumas Marwood (Vic) won the Exhibition Eventing class at the Royal Melbourne Show. This was the second and final qualifier for the Equestrian Grand Final Exhibition Eventing Final to be held at Equitana.

The field of eight rode their dressage in the morning and were thus seeded for the jumping which took place at 6pm.

Emily Anker and the experienced Keniski took the lead with a great test scoring 68.18%. Cass Lowe was next best on her very impressive Contango Columbus 67.27%. In equal third was Seumas Marwood (Wild Oats) and Katja Weimann (BP Gallantry) on 62.72%. 
By 6pm the rain had returned diminishing the crowd and making conditions more difficult. Wayne Copping had set a fabulous course that would require a fast and careful horse to jump clear and within the time. 
Shay Smith was first on course and had 2 rails down and 15 time faults to ad to her 8 penalties carried through from the dressage. Will Enzinger was next to ride and was clear to fence 8 –the 1.40m joker fence. Placed lower in the field Will took up the challenge but unfortunately had the fence down adding 8 faults. Otherwise clear and with just 5 time.
Lucy Kolomanski and Jirrima Royal Command incurred 20 penalties and 10 time to add to their dressage score to finish on 36 faults.
Natalie Davies and Chatswood Sharp Move were another of the experienced combinations in the field. But 3 rails added to their score and 15 time faults left them on a total score of 32 ultimately finishing in 6th place.
Next into the arena was Seumas Marwood. This pair have a strong jumping background so were well suited to the style of competition.
Marwood looked determined from the outset and was turning tight to the fences. Wild Oats (by Contango II) is very careful and scopey.  They tipped the back rail at the triple bar (fence 5) posting 4 faults however Marwood successfully negotiated the challenge of the joker fence at number 8 , which gave him an -4 fault bonus. With no further faults added he finished on 0 jumping faults and just 5 time faults – putting him firmly in the lead on just 8 faults.
Katja Weimann and BP Gallantry were nest in to the ring. Sitting on an equal score with Seumas after dressage.  She was very fast from the outset. Like Marwood she had fence 5 down and then attempted the joker, but it fell and then she had an additional rail at the last fence. The time was the fastest of the day- just 2 time faults but an overall score of 21.
Cass Lowe sitting in second place after dressage was the next rider. This horse is also by Contango II and is also blessed with scope and carefulness. They were jumping beautifully , a little slower but really looked like a clear round could be achieved. Lowe decided not to attempt the joker and insted take the alternate 8 ab verticles on a curving line. A missed stride into the first saw them crash through the fence and need to circle to represent to 8b. Unfortunately, adding a massive 43 time faults to their 4 jumping faults and dropping them to the bottom of the field.
Emily Anker and Keniski, one of Australia’s most experienced CCI4* horses were the last to ride and entered the arena on 0 faults. All clear to the joker – but had it down adding 8 faults. If she could get home within the time she could still win the class. But it wasn’t to be, 8 time put her on 16 fault sna second place.
The four riders to qualify for the Equestrian Grand Final are:
1.     Seumas Marwood
2.     Emily Anker
3.     Will Enzinger
4.     Katja Weimann
 

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