Olympic silver medallist Megan Jones (AUS), winner of the first leg of the 2009 HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing, will be looking to increase her lead in the standings with a good showing on home ground at Sydney’s Weekend of Equestrian World Cups (2-3 May).

She rode her winning mount at Kihikihi (NZL) last month, the home-bred 15.3hh grey Kirby Park Irish Jester on whom she finished fourth individually at the Olympics in Hong Kong last year. 

Competition statistics

– 20 riders and 25 horses are entered

– The field includes one Olympic gold medalist and two silver medalists

– 1 rider has travelled from New Zealand

– The prize pool is over $60,000

– The competition takes place at the Sydney Equestrian Centre, but it is hoped to move it to the 2000 Olympic site next year

– The Greater Sydney FEI World CupTM Jumping Qualifier will be held at the same time

Australian rivalry

Jones hopes to travel to the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing Final at Strzegom (POL) but she faces hot completion – Australia has a great record in this series. Jones’s Olympic team mate Clayton Fredericks has won the final twice and Australian rider Kevin McNab led the standings last year.

The field at Sydney includes Hong Kong team mate Shane Rose (AUS) who is three-handed, with his Olympic silver medallist All Luck, who just ducked out across country in Kihikihi when lying second after Dressage, plus Cleddau Bobby Dazzler and Sarjaes Skitzmix.

There’s also dual Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney (AUS) on Vettori, the horse he campaigned in Europe last year, and the experienced Olivia Bunn, the highest-placed Australian rider at the 1998 and 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games, on GV Bullwinkle.

Sole Kiwi rider

Clarke Johnstone, winner of Kihikihi in 2007, is travelling over to Sydney with his winning mount, Oakley Vision, fifth at Kihikihi this time, in the hope snatching back victory from the Australians.

QUOTE:

Paul Cargill, Chairman of Equestrian NSW: “This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase equestrian sports to the people of Sydney, Australia and the world. To be granted this right [to run the HSBC FEI World CupTM competitions] is true recognition by the international equestrian community that Sydney is a world-class venue and Australia is home to many of the world’s top riders and horses.”

Follow the event on www.sydneyeventing.org

HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing standings (after 1 of 9 qualifiers):

1 Megan Jones (AUS) – 71 points

2 Heelan Tompkins (NZL) – 67 

3 Matthew Grayling (NZL) – 64 

Qualifying venues for the 2009 HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing series:

1 Kihikihi (NZL), 10-12 April 2009 

2 Sydney (AUS), 2-3 May 2009

3 Marbach (GER), 8-10 May 2009

4 Chatsworth (GBR), 16-17 May 2009 

5 Malmo (SWE), 23-24 May 2009 

6 Tattersalls (IRL), 28-31 May 2009 

7 Minsk (BLR), 16-19 July 2009 

8 Kalispell (USA), 23-26 July 2009 

9 Mansfield, ON (CAN), 7-9 August 2009 

HSBC FEI World Cup ™ Eventing final 2009 Strzegom (POL), 21-23 August 2009