Australia's Young Riders Secure Clean Sweep for Australia
Saturday, 21 September 2013

Australia's young rider team has followed the lead of their senior compatriots and defeated New Zealand in their opening round of the Young Rider Oceania Championships.

Run in conjunction with the young rider team’s event at Saturday’s Australian Show Jumping Championships, the Oceania Championships displayed the best up and coming talent from both sides of the Tasman.

The Australian team of Nicole Bruggermann, Kelly Slater, Sarah Beale and Tom McDermott finished the two round event with a total of 12 penalties on the scorecard, 20 penalties fewer than New Zealand who ended on a score of 32, of which 24 came in the opening round.

South Australian combination Nicole Bruggermann and Marine who were first to go for the home team, were crucial to its success delivering two clear rounds for Australia.

Tom McDermott and CP Rolex had eight jumping penalties in the first round but went clear in the second.

Chef d’Equipe Jess Barton was pleased with her team’s performance and happy that her first outing as Chef d’Equipe for Australia ended in a win.

“I’m absolutely wrapped with how each team member rode, they were all very professional in their approach and handled the pressure well.

“I was confident that Nicole had the experience to come out and set a strong pace and it was a huge boost to the team to have her go clear in the second round,” she said.

The Australian Show Jumping Championships concludes Sunday with the crowing of the individual junior, young rider and senior individual champion. Results from all classes are available at http://www.asjc.equestrian.org.au