Billy Raymont and Black Jack IXE.

© Michelle Terlato Photography

Aussie shine in speed class at World Championships

By Claudia Keech

Wednesday at the FEI World Championships in Herning saw 103 athletes, including individuals, go to the post representing 22 nations in the jumping.

For Australia, where at times the supporters in one particular stand rivalled the cheering of the crowds present in the stadium for the host nation Denmark, our team did not disappoint on day one!

There is no denying the jumping, which started today in the Stutteri Ask Stadium, has brought the world’s best to the main arena in Herning!

Today was all about speed, with the team competition to be decided over the next three days.
With four team members competing, the best three best scores are taken into account.

Team Australia performed as follows….

Billy Raymont on Black Jack IXE (clear, 43rd)

As the young veteran (42) of the team (and with a previous World Championship in 2018 at Tyron on Oaks Redwood finishing 25th), Billy arrived primed to represent the Australian Team and with his eye on the prize.

He jumped fifth as per Tuesday’s draw. Billy and Black Jack didn’t miss a beat as they completed an outstanding clear round. Clearly ecstatic, Equestrian Life caught up with Billy briefly within moments of leaving the arena:

CK: Billy, jumping first for Australia, how did that feel – all clear?

BILLY: Amazing for everybody. It’s a fantastic start.

For me it’s been a long plan, and just being here is just a privilege. We didn’t want to come and make up the numbers and it’s important to try to have a go and if it works, it works. If not, we had a go. It’s so amazing!

CK: Tell us a little about preparing Black Jack IXE for Herning?

BILLY: Janelle Walley and Damien Wilson bought Black Jack for me, about 18 months ago. We started with a slow progression in Australia first. (After Shepparton and Werribee World Cup Qualifiers in March.)

We arrived in Europe April 20th and had a few months here to step up and get our qualification, which was a big thing. We got that quite early in May. We’ve been just totally focused – on (the World Championships). He’s really only just done one show in eight weeks. We were really planning and focused on here.

He felt amazing, absolutely perfect. Last time I did the Championships (in 2018) I felt a little nervous. This time, he (Black Jack) felt the best he has… I was really, really looking forward to it.”

CK: Billy you are pumping, how did it feel on the course?

BILLY: It was a really nice course for our first day. There were no real options or anything to think about like that, just a couple of fences to roll back a little bit tighter if you wanted to. I didn’t have to think too much… just followed the numbers and let it come!

Katie Laurie and Django II (one rail, 57th)

Katie Laurie on Django II leave the arena after their round.

© Michelle Terlato Photography

Katie (36) is also a young veteran with extensive international experience. Previously jumping for New Zealand and now Australia, Katie has been based in Canada enjoying some of the best shows in the world in North America.

Katie and Django II arrived in the arena looking strong, comfortable and calm, but primed to perform. With a strong and steady gait, Django and Katie took the course in their stride, jumping high.

CK: That was breathtaking to watch!

KATIE: He was really great; he was jumping his best out there. He is not the naturally fastest horse, I just had to be tight and do as many, or few strides as I could and he was so good.

MEDIA: How long have you been riding him?

KATIE: We actually bred him as a family in NZ so he’s been in the family his whole life. He was a difficult child when he was younger, but he has all the scope. He can be a bit anxious and likes to do things his way.

CK: How does it feel to take him all the way to an event like this?

KATIE: It felt so special. He felt great today and he loved it out there. I think today was going to be a harder day for speed, as he’s not so fast, so I’m looking forward to the Nations Cup (format) tomorrow.

James Arkins and Eurostar 1 (two rails, 62nd)

James Arkins on Eurostar 1.

© Michelle Terlato Photography

James, who turned 30 this year, is the youngest on the Australian Team. Both James and Eurostar 1, made their debut at a World Championships Wednesday in Herning. The pressure was immense, but Eurostar and James have already enjoyed success in Ocala, Florida – and a double clear in the Nations Cup at Thunderbird helped bring a medal to the Australian Team. James has now been based in the USA and Canada for seven months.

Eurostar performed, with James adding extra speed for this event, jumping clear until the final two fences.

CK: So James, today you’ve realised a dream for you and for Eurostar, jumping for the first time at the World Championships for Australia. How did it feel?

JAMES: I got quite nervous beforehand, especially walking around, but when I got in the ring, it all sort of went away. Nerves are unusual for me, but now I’ve been in the ring, I’m looking forward to the next two days.

Eurostar felt fantastic, I mean he’s a young horse (10) at this level, it’s also my first Championship, so I think he was right up there. A shame he got a bit tense down the last line, but I was really happy with the result and he felt fantastic. I think it’s a really great start for the rest of the week.

CK: How did you feel about the time? (James was moving fast)

JAMES: He was surprisingly fast. He’s not normally the fastest of the horses. I surprised myself with how fast I was. I was trying to go fast, without going crazy.

I thought I may get 85 (seconds) or 86, but to get a time of 82, which was right up there in the top 10, that was great to know going ahead into these next two rounds, I’m pretty good on the time. Overall I’m super happy with him.

CK: How does it feel to be on your first Championship team?

JAMES: It’s really exciting to be here, it’s a privilege to be here, it’s something we’ve worked on for ever, since I started riding over 15 years ago. So to actually be here; to actually do it and have all the support from home has been wonderful, and everyone who has made the big effort to be here. What an opportunity, what an experience. I couldn’t be happier.

MEDIA: How did you prepare?

JAMES: We had a starting point in the US and Canada and let the horses (Joevaro and Eurostar 1) tell us what to do.

MEDIA: How did you plan the preparation for the Championships today?

JAMES: Everyone has been really helpful, being part of the Oz team in Wellington and Thunderbird has been really helpful. We’ve been blooded well.

I’m looking forward to putting in a solid performance for the Nations Cup (format) tomorrow. The last Nations Cup at Thunderbird (we had a) double clear. Let’s go do that again!

Hilary Scott and Oaks Milky Way (clear, 55th)

Hilary Scott on Oaks Milky Way.

Hilary (34) has worked hard on the European circuit since relocating many years ago. However, Oaks Milky Way is Australian bred by her family and owned by her mother, Alice Cameron.

Her debut representing Australia at Herning was a crowd pleaser. She appeared calm and strategic, resulting in a much welcomed clear round.

CK: An outstanding result, how do you feel?

HILARY: I’m really, really happy with my horse today, I don’t think I could have gone any quicker. She’s got quite a bit of energy. If I went quicker, I think it would have been a rail down, so I’m happy with a clear.

MEDIA: How long have you been riding her?

HILARY: All her life, since she was a four-year-old; we broke her in and we bred her as well and she has been with us all her life. It’s one thing to go to an event like this and then again, to have bred her and know her so well. It’s special.

She has a lot of energy, a lot of character and a lot of confidence, so trying to tame her… and she likes the crowd and she gets very excited when she hears it all. I’m very happy, let’s see how the rest of the week goes.

MEDIA: How does that feel to be competing with the the Australian Team and doing so well?

HILARY: It’s just an amazing feeling to be part of this team at such a high level. It’s a real privilege and honour. Not everyone gets to do this. We have a fantastic team, and everyone has put in a solid effort today.

The speed class was won by France’s Julien Epaillard and Caracole de la Roque. Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson were second for Great Britain, while Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei were third. Sweden leads the team rankings, with Australia 15th of 22, however this is all likely to change dramatically over the coming days.

Full results can be found here.

Team rankings can be found here.

Read more about the Aussie jumping team in the August issue of Equestrian Life here.

You can watch all the action from the FEI World Championships in Herning via Clip My Horse TV.

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