Sharon Slater and CP Ulixes Photo courtesy Furdography
Sydney showjumper Sharon Slater has finished the world cup season by jumping into the winners circle of the Summer Classic CSI‐W World Cup Qualifier at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre on Sunday. Slater was the only NSW rider finishing in the top eight, beating the best combinations from all over Australia.
For Slater and her horse CP Ulixes, this win topped off a phenomenal year in World Cup Qualifiers in their debutante season of World Cups together. Slater had great success already with two second places at the Shepparton and Equitana World Cup Qualifers, and a win in the Grand Prix at the Australian National Championships in October. Yesterday in Sydney, her polished display of riding was rewarded with no other combinations coming close to her score.
Slater had to fight off tough competition from inform Western Australian riders Rory Hovell, Alison Rowland and Evie Buller who ended up in 2nd, 3rd and 5th respectively with Queenslander Billy Raymont taking home 4th place. The Summer Classic World Cup Qualifier is notorious for being one of the toughest in Australia, and this year proved no exception with international and Olympic course builder Leopoldo Palacios setting an extremely testing course for the riders.
Sharon and CP Ulixes on course Photo courtesy Furdography
The class showed the unpredictability of equestrian sport, with one of the favourites, the experienced 2011 Australian Champion Paul Athanasoff and Wirragulla Nicklaus unexpectedly having a fall. Rising star Tom McDermott had the misfortune of being struck down by a stomach virus, which could not have been worse timing during one of the most prestigious jumping shows of the year.
Although Slater took out the event, the overall winner of the Australian World Cup League was Alison Rowland, who has won 4 qualifiers this year and took home 3rd place on Sunday which was enough to secure her position at the top of the overall leader board.
The Mini Prix final was won by Billy Raymont on Carneol, the Future Stars Classic by Sam Fasher on World News, the Young Rider final was won by Natalie McNeil on Vasandra, the Juniors by Nicole Bruggemann on Master Darnley, and the Amateurs by Melissa Blair on Flying Teddy.
For full reports from the event visit http://www.jumpingnsw.equestrian.org.au/default.asp?Page=30998
