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Mitavite International Horse Trial

Tuesday 6 April 2010, 7:55AM

By Bevan Houlbrooke

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Megan Jones and Kirby Park Irish Jester show jumping at Kihikihi, New Zealand
Megan Jones and Kirby Park Irish Jester show jumping at Kihikihi, New Zealand Credit: Timeless Images
Megan Jones and Kirby Park Irish Jester
Megan Jones and Kirby Park Irish Jester Credit: Timeless Images

KIHIKIHI

Day 2 - Jones Retains Lead at Kihikihi HSBC-FEI World Cup Event

In a spectacular day of action at the HSBC-FEI World Cup Event at Kihikihi in New Zealand, Australian rider Megan Jones and Kirby Park Irish Jester continued to dominate the field after the cross-country phase. Jones opted to squander some of her 7.6 penalty dressage lead by taking an option at fence 3, but went on to complete an economical clear round with only 3.6 time penalties to finish the day on 43.0 penalties. While the lead remained firmly in Jones’s capable hands, John Nicholson’s track had a strong influence on the rest of the field. Two-time previous winner Gordon ridden by Alice Montgomery shifted into second place after producing a confident clear round to finish the day on 52.6 penalties. Another previous winner, Oakley Vision and Clarke Johnstone, also delivered a smooth clear round with 5.6 time penalties to finish on 61.2 penalties. Other combinations to deliver clear rounds were Heelan Tompkins and Major Difference (64.0 penalties), Jenna Mahoney (66.0 penalties), and Karen Niederer on Cape Palliser (79.6 penalties). The final show-jumping phase of the event takes place tomorrow. Jones will start the show-jumping phase with 2 rails in hand.

 

Day 3 - Jones and Kirby Park Irish Jester victorious at New Zealand league of HSBC FEI World CupTM Eventing

Megan Jones and Kirby Park Irish Jester completed the HSBC FEI World CupTM Event at Kihikihi in New Zealand with the same conviction with which they started it. Jones produced an effortless clear round in the final show-jumping phase to win the competition and finish on a final score of 43.0 penalties. They were freed of virtually all pressure after uncharacteristic errors by the riders sitting in second and third places, but never looked liked needing the multi-rail advantage at their disposal. Heelan Tompkins and Major Difference moved into second place after producing a clear round to finish the competition on 64 penalties, with Clarke Johnstone and the seasoned Oakley Vision in third (65.2 penalties), and Alice Montgomery and Gordon in fourth (66.6 penalties). The action now moves to Sydney in Australia where the third HSBC FEI World CupTM Eventing will be held on 7-9 May 2010. Megan Jones and Kirby Park Irish Jester will start at Sydney with 71 World Cup points in hand ahead of her fellow Australian riders.

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