Sensational Aussies claim silver in Jumping Nations Cup in Norway

By Kirsty Pasto / Equestrian High Performance

The Australian Nations Cup Jumping Team has ascended the podium at the CSIO3* Nations Cup Competition, Drammen in Norway to claim second place.

In a nail biting competition that went down to the wire the Australian team fnished in equal second alongside Belgium and France, just behind the winning team of Ireland.

The first round of the competition saw the Australia in the hunt for a victory from the beginning with all three Australian combinations jumping a clear round.

Impressively Australia was the only country that had all riders who entered the arena during the first round jump clear, and with only 3 riders on the team (most other teams had 4 riders which allowed for a drop score) the pace set by Australia saw them as a forced to be reckoned with.
Jake Hunter riding Jativia also jumping a second clear round anchoring the Australians in the top of the field. This performance is made even more impressive by considering the young jumper was making his Nations Cup debut at Drammen.

When asked about how he felt competing for Australia for the first time Jake said:

"Seriously delighted hopefully many more to come. The girls (Amy Graham and Hikary Scott) have minded me well."

Fellow team members, Amy Graham riding Coleraine des Bergeries and Hilary Scott riding Oaks Milkyway, both had one rail in the second round which was still able to secure Australia second place.

Unlike Jake both Amy and Hilary have previous experience representing Australia at Nations Cup events with both riders part of the 2020 bronze medal winning team in Wellington, USA.

The past tweleve months have proved tough for all Australian riders with the disruptions caused by Covid-19, and for our Europe based riders the terrifying spread of EHV-1 last year which unfortunately saw Amy Graham and her team with a positive case.

"I was so excited to be here and with Hilary and Jake, they are so professional and supportive, it’s a privilege to jump with them. Coco (Coleraine des Bergeries) is still returning to form from her EHV-1 sickness, I was nervous about us as a pair performing well enough, but she was gold and really stepped up. Thankyou to the EA High Performance Program and Todd Hinde (EA High Performance Jumping Manager) for supporting us," said Amy.

The Australian Team consisted of:

    •    Amy Graham and Coleraine des Bergeries, owned by Amy and Phillipe Jardot
    •    Jake Hunter and Jativia, owned by Global Event Horses, Brian Morrison and Chris Hunt
    •    Hilary Scott and Oaks Milkyway, owned by Alice Cameron/Oaks Sport Horses
    •    The team Chef d’Equipe for the competition was Caroline Graham

Source: Equestrian Australia (EA) website

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