The podium at the second leg of the AJTL.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
By Equestrian Life
Team Kiernan Haulage, comprised of Russell Johnstone, Jasmine Dennison (U25) and Brooke Campbell, have won the second leg of the the Australian Jumping Teams League!
The second leg took place at Sydney International Equestrian Centre last night, in front of an enthusiastic crowd of Interschool riders. Held as part of the Australian Interschool Equestrian Championships, the event followed on from the first leg at Willinga Park, which was won by Team Emcee Apparel (Jess Rice-Ward, Amanda Madigan and Jess Trip).
Second place went to Team Oaks Sport Horses (Aaron Hadlow, Izabella Stone (U25) and Stephen Dingwall) and third went to Team Equine International Airfreight (Gabrielle Kuna, Elliott Reeves (U25) and Chris Chugg).
Team Oaks Sport Horses and the fourth non-riding member, Alison Rolands.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
The first round saw 18 of the 30 combinations jump clear. From here, the top eight ranked teams progressed to the second round decider.
It was the second round that really sorted out the class, and it proved to be a tight finish! Only five jumped a double clear under time: Amanda Madigan and Diamond B Vivienne (Emcee Apparel), the in-form Tom McDermott and Elegance De La Charmille (Chatham Park), Russell Johnstone and Daprice (Kiernan Haulage), Katie Laurie and Cera Caruso (Willinga Park), and Chris Chugg with PSS Levilenski (Equine International Airfreight).
Team International Airfreight had a double clear round to their name with Chris Chugg and PSS Levilensky, however Gabi Kuna and Flaire had a rail, and Elliot Reeves with Avenden Indigo had three rails across the two rounds for a team total of 16 faults.
Team Oaks Sport Horses performed well. Izabella Stone and Lincoln MVNZ had just 1 time penalty, Stephen Dingwall and Cavaleir Du Rouet had one rail down plus a time penalty, and Aaron Hadlow aboard Valhinvader dropped a rail in each round, plus a time penalty. They snuck into second place on a total of 15 faults!
Team Kiernan Haulage all jumped clear in the first round, however in the second Brooke Campbell and Copabella Voltage had a rail, and Jasmine Dennison and Nicolossi had two rails, meaning the team finished on a total of 12 faults. However, with few clears, this was enough to win and secure the $40k first prize with just 3 penalties to spare!
Jasmine Dennison, the U25 rider on Team Kiernan Haulage, with Nicolossi.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Brooke Campbell and Copabella Voltage.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Russell Johnstone and Daprice.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
In fourth place was Team Chatham Park, fifth went to Team Emcee Apparel, sixth to Team Willinga Park, seventh to Team Horsepower, and eighth to Team Yandoo.
It was a close, thrilling competition and it went down to the wire – a real spectacle for all the Interschool competitors and others who came along to watch.
The next AJTL leg will be held at Sale, Victoria, on the 24th of November.
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