Sam Overton and Oaks Cassanova. Image: Oz Shotz.
Sam Overton & Oaks Cassanova win Sydney World Cup Qualifier
By Equestrian Life
Sam Overton and Oaks Cassanova have won the Chatham Park World Cup Qualifier CSI-W at the Summer Showjumping Classic today, while Tom McDermott claimed the overall Australian League FEI World Cup Series.
It was a spectacular display of showjumping over a testing MER course, built by international course designer Murat Batur.
Sam Overton and Oaks Cassanova were one of two clears in the first round of what was the final Australian League FEI World Cup Series leg, alongside Billy Raymont and Caprino, while Tom McDermott with Cooley Gangster and Phillip Lever with Billionaire NZHP each incurred 4 faults.
The top seven then went through to the second round, where the aforementioned four all jumped clear. This meant that Sam and Oaks Cassanova were the only combination to finish on 0 penalties and were able to claim an outright victory.
Billy and Caprino, although clear, incurred 4 time faults – and this meant they finished on 4 and drew level with Tom and Cooley Gangster, who carried over 4 faults from the first round. With the latter having the quickest second round time, they placed second followed by Billy and Caprino in third.
The second place finish was enough for Tom McDermott to claim the overall series title, and he now has the opportunity to travel to Riyadh to represent Australia at the World Cup Finals in April 2024. In addition, Cooley Gangster, owned by Tim Boland, was awarded the Golden Grand Trophy for the Leading Horse of the series.
Phil and Billionaire NZHP were fourth after adding 1 time penalty to their first round rail to finish on 5 faults. Rob Palm and Jaybee Vibrant finished fifth (21), Sam Whale and Fleur Delacour finished sixth (26), and Brad Frankum with Oaks Calypso finished seventh (37).
It was a scorching day in Sydney, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees. With the extreme weather forecast, the World Cup class was brought forward to earlier in the morning so that it could be completed before the competition was abandoned before midday due to the heat.
Full results can be found here.
Published 9 December 2023.
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