In final World Cup Qualifier of the 2018-19 season at Sale on Saturday, Cooran’s Billy Raymont easily won the class, giving him a hat trick three straight wins in the highest level showjumping classes in the nation.
With 16 competitors tackling the challenging Sale WC track, only three combinations managed to go clear in the first round, Billy Raymont and Anton, James Harvey and Tyrone, and the eventual winners of the 2018/2019 Australasian World Cup Qualifier Season, Aaron Hadlow and Vahlinvader.
Fellow Sunshine Coaster Kate Hinschen, on Finch Farm Cadel, finished this round on four jumping penalties. Kate finished the WC series in second place. Both Kate and Aaron Hadlow were able to compete in seven and eight qualifiers respectively, as were many of the other 50 contestants. Although Billy was overseas for most of the World Cup qualifiers, his three wins gave him third place in the 2018-19 series. In the Sale WC the top twelve combinations were brought back for the second round jump-off, with an impressive seven clear rounds recorded. However things didn’t go quite to plan for two of the clear rounds from Round One, with Andrew Lamb and CP Argento picking up four penalties and Aaron Hadlow and Vahlinvader taking two rails for eight penalties. Because they had the fastest first round, Billy and Anton only needed to jump clear, and under time, to take the class. With the pressure off Billy demonstrated his skill and experience to safely pilot Anton around the course, finishing clear in the third fastest time of 54.47 seconds. Billy had another honour this week, being named Equestrian Queensland’s Equestrian of the Year 2018, for his sportsmanship, help to other riders, competition success, and passing on of his skills to others as he does through his numerous show jumping clinics.
Billy and Anton can be seen competing here in March for the Sunshine Coast Showjumping Club’s Grand Weekend of Showjumping.
