This year’s World Cup Qualifier Series title came down to the wire, with several riders just points apart ahead of the final leg. The Series was ultimately won by Kelly O’Connor aboard her world-class ride Capital’s Moonlight. The pair started the Series as relative underdogs as it was their first year contending at the World Cup level, but soon showed that their consistency and carefulness would pay off, finishing ninth at the second leg, and then on the podium at each of the remaining legs (third, second, second) to get them the overall win.
Results
1st – Kelly O’Connor (60 points)
2nd – Tamara Rueda (58 points)
3rd – Dominey Alexander (57 points)
4th – Hannah Garton (55 Points)
The importance of consistency was moreover emphasised by the fact that only one of the top four ranking riders in this year’s WCQ series actually won a leg of the series on their nominated horse. Tamara Rueda, who had jumped three consecutive clear rounds in the first round of the World Cup but unfortunately found a rail in the jump-off, put in a speedy double clear at the Toyota Shongweni FEI WCQ to clinch her first WCQ win, and give us the only leg win of the top four finishers.
Dominey Alexander won the leg in Brits but on S’Oakley Z, rather than his nominated horse, Capital Kollier. Capital Kollier, the young son of Capital Kronos, had placed second in the two previous WCQs (which were incidentally the first time he had competed at that level!), so his selected nomination certainly made sense. Dominey still managed a fourth place finish on Kollier in Brits, which secured a decent haul of points, but had the win been aboard the Capital youngster rather than S’Oakley Z, he would likely have claimed the overall title.
Hannah Garton and PMH Pollyanna are well known for their consistency, and if there had not been a drop score factored into the final score, this pair may well have ended up on top! The pair jumped clear in the first round of three of the five qualifiers, but their quick ground speed and smart lines ensured they made the top 25% in another leg and placed just outside it in the other. This combination picked up an impressive two seventh places, a sixth, a fourth and a podium, finishing third at the final leg.
With 36 riders competing at the World Cup level this year, some incredible horsepower on show, and more exciting youngsters making the step up to the World Cup level, we are in for an exciting Series in 2025!