Winner of the Australian One Day Event Championships, Junior Introductory Class, Georgia Cottle and Theresa Park Sophia, photo courtesy of Main Event Photography
You could be forgiven for not expecting to see the Tinney name on the leader board this weekend. Gold medallist Stuart Tinney is in London for the Olympic Test Event in Greenwich as part of the Australian contingent checking out the Games venue.
While Stuart was doing his sleeping beauty impression on the other side of the globe his eldest daughter Jaymee came third in the Australian National One Day Event Championships at Berrima in the CIC 1 star class. Jaymee is just 16 and finished on her dressage score behind Aaron Moyes and Shane Rose to take out third place and was the highest placed Junior rider in the class.
Not only Jaymee the best placed junior she beat some top class competition, in fact Jaymee finished on the same score as professional Emma Mason. Thankfully cross country accuracy meant Jaymee pipped Emma at the post by being closest to optimum time.
Jaymee Tinney and Murrabong Kinganui third placed in the Australian One Day Event Championships CIC 1 star class, photo courtesy of Main Event Photography
When I spoke to Jaymee I suggested that dad Stuart must be glad he wasn’t in the class. This determined young lady has a very clear goal in mind “my new aim is to beat him (dad Stuart)”. Jaymee has only been partnering with Murrabong Kinganui since the start of the year. Kinganui is owned by Nidhi Dev who is having a year off thanks to a shoulder injury.
Given her pedigree I don’t think that Jaymee will have much problem finding a permanent mount that can take her to a gold medal. I have no doubt she will get there, and probably wont be satisfied til she has a higher medal count than dad.
Another young lady shone on the weekend, I spoke with eleven year old Georgia Cottle who won the Introductory Junior division. Intro is a national class here and is 80cm or 2 foot 7 and a half. As one of the youngest (if not the youngest) riders in the division, Georgia finished fourth after dressage and then moved up two places in jumping and then with a double clear on XC finished on her dressage score and won.
Georgia is very proud of her young mare Theresa Park Sophia who is a TB cross Australian Riding Pony. At 14.3hh, Sophia is only 9 years old and as the pair are only in their first year together, they are still getting to know each other.
Georgia is a dedicated pony clubber but her passions are equally divided between Eventing and Dressage, thankfully for us at EN, when pushed, Eventing is her key passion.
Georgia Cottle and Theresa Park Sophia, photo courtesy of Main Event Photography
As we know, Eventing is a sport of heartbreak, ups and downs. For Georgia and her family the drive home was one of mixed feelings as her sister Emma didn’t have such a good weekend and isn’t talking to Georgia. Emma, I can assure you that sooner or later the tables will be turned. Good Luck.
So there it is team, a report on a CIC event with a difference. It was really nice to focus on some of the other classes and not just the top end of town.
Yours in Eventing,
ESJ
