Yoshi Oiwa and Gorgeous George
This morning we kicked off the CCI3* cross country with Australia, New Zealand and Japan in the Olympic qualifying round. Australia and Japan are fighting it out for the single regional Olympic teams spot up for grabs. The trailblazer was Yoshiaki Oiwa from Japan.
I recall Yoshi being a crowd favorite at Badminton in 2005, at the time he was the first Japanese rider to compete at the prestigious four star event and he was on the highly experienced 18 year old gelding Voyou Du Roc. Today he was aboard Mr Yuko Nakakura’s Gorgeous George.
Unfortunately Yoshi and George had a fall at fence 18 and although both were OK, this put a real dampener on the Japanese team. Lucy Jackson led out the Kiwis with Britain-based Brook Staples the first out for the Aussies. Poor Lucy got held part way round the course thanks to Yoshi’s fall but managed to go on clear with 5.6 time.
Catherine Burrell and Urzan
Brook Staples for Australia had a moment at fence four but was clear all the way round and took a punishing 18.4 time penalties. Catherine Burrell next for Australia collected 19.6 time with her clear round. Third out for Australia was Lucinda Fredericks who looked good but strong, had Nysa De Petra jump her off at fence 17.
The weight was on the shoulders of Bill Levett as he started the XC to not only put in a good score but to finish. Thankfully Bill made it home but unfortunately he picked up a 20 early on and then 12 time to leave Australia on a total of 227.9 penalties.
Clarke Johnstone & the legend Orient Express
The Kiwi team continue to look hot favorites next year in London to complete with all five riders home clear, and a total of 11.2 times penalties for the whole team. Both Clarke and Andrew finished under the time to put the Kiwi team on 171.8 well ahead of the Aussies.
Jock Paget and Clifton Razz
After a shaky start with Yoshi the Japanese were not looking promising with a tough round from Takayuki Yumira and the Aussie bred Hooligan who picked up 40 jumping and 43.2 time. Unfortunately for Australia the Japanese rallied with the final three home without jumping penalties Tsuchiya 5.6 time, Sato 4.4 time and Negishi 24.8 time.
Kenki Sato and Chippieh
This leaves team Japan on 223.9, a full jumping rail in front of Australia. I bet right now that Prue Barratt and the rest of the Aussie High Performance team are wishing that Chris Burton and Newsprint were available to run in the Green and Gold this weekend.
Lucinda Fredericks and Nysa De Petra before their fall
As they say it isn’t over til the fat lady sings and we still have the jumping to go. More XC action later today. Back soon.
Yours in Eventing,
ESJ
