Course Designer, Kevin Hansen from New Zealand orchestrated some of the most entertaining jumping seen for some time, with horses from all sections jumping well. His world Cup track was best described as tall, with three verticals set at 1.60m and a double of verticals set at 1.50m and 1.55m seven or eight strides from two meters of open water, which was a point of some discussion. That test was the second part of the bending line 3, 4,5, a 1.45m square oxer seven or eight strides to the open water and on to the double. Most took the option to extend the bend and give themselves the extra stride. The last line of the 600m track involved a big triple bar, 1.60m x 1.85m eight strides to a 1.60m vertical with a difficult to sight red top rail at fence 13. Five lowered this final test. Hansen wanted four or five clear in the first round; he got four, Jamie Kermond with Jacqui Cox’s Colthaga, Tom McDermott and SL Limerick, Tim and Caltango and Chris Chugg riding the Vivant daughter, Diamond B Vigo. There were three within striking distance on four penalties; Anthony Thomas and Levitation NZPH that rather unluckily had a foot in the water, Danielle Butcher with her scopey Thoroughbred, Twins Big Higgs, (5b) and Tom McDermott with his Gawler World Cup class winner, Statford Delight that lowered the oxer at 10.

 

Anthony Thomas made no mistake in the second round with the New Zealand bred French horse, and took fourth place on time ahead of Danielle Butcher and Twins Big Higgs, fifth, that also posted a second round clear. Tom McDermott and SL Limerick set the fastest second round time by over two seconds, but lowered a fence in the process for a creditable third place. Earlier in the day Tom, just 18 was declared Champion Junior Jumping Rider. Jamie Kermond jumped a super clear in 65.05 and most thought the current World Cup League leader had done enough. Caltango is strong, keen and careful and Tim is a wonderful rider against the clock and proved so again to come home clear in 64.23 seconds. No one was prepared to declare their hand until Chugg and Vigo had completed the course. An oxer down mid course saw Chris ease up on the World Cup season debutante and they cruised home to take sixth place on time. Tom McDermott jumped four and four aboard Statford Delight to take seventh place, with 2010 League winner, Brook Dobbin, making an appearance for a warm up class and the World Cup with Advisor jumping eight and clear to round out the placings.

 

The weather was kind, the Adelaide footing very good, the jumping wonderful and the large crowd that gathers at Adelaide for the class, well entertained. The World Cup tour moves to Melbourne Royal Show in two weeks for the eighth World Cup Qualifier of the season.

 

Adelaide World Cup Qualifier.

 

1.     Tim Clarke              Caltango

2.     Jamie Kermond       Colthaga

3.     Tom McDermott      SL Limerick

4.     Anthony Thomas    Levitation NZPH

5.     Danielle Butcher    Twins Big Higgs

6.     Chris Chugg           Diamond B Vigo

7.     Tom McDermott      Statford Delight NWC

8.     Brook Dobbin         Advisor

 

Source: Equestrian Australia