As we reported in previous news articles, some of New Zealand’s finest showjumpers have travelled across the Tasman to compete at the annual Aquis Champions Tour at Elysian Fields in south-eastern Queensland.

Tom Tarver-Priebe and Melody Matheson competed in the Gold Tour, Rebecca Wardle, Brooke Hawthorne and Olivia Harkerss (pictured above) in the Juniors and Olivia Dalton in the Young Riders Tour.

Olivia Dalton had a great run to place consistently high up in the Young Rider Qualifiers and then 9th in yesterday’s Young Rider Final.

Olivia Dalton and Cil Dara Bonaparte.

The Junior girls unfortunately didn’t make the final but certainly put in a great effort over the entire competition.

Both Tom Tarver-Priebe and Melody Matheson were part of an elite 30 rider field who competed for Australia’s richest Jumping prize money. Click HERE and HERE to read stories about how they performed earlier in the week. A total of $130,000 AUD was on offer with $40,000 AUD for the winner.

Tom Tarver-Priebe and Equifibre Popeye went into today’s final as the eighth ranked combination and Melody Matheson and Graffiti MH were ranked sixteenth, so they both might have had reasonable expectations of finishing with some of the prize money.

Tom Tarver-Priebe and Equifibre Popeye

In the First Round Matheson and Graffiti MH were out 15th in order and with only two clear rounds recorded before them, they would have known that it was going to be tough. Matheson took a rail at the second as well as two late ones to finish on 12 penalties and out of contention in the class. Eventually, when the dust settled, Matheson and Graffiti MH came in 15th place.

Melody Matheson and Graffiti MH

When Tom Tarver-Priebe and Equifibre Popeye entered the arena 23rd in order, there were still only three clear rounds achieved. Unfortunately, just as Matheson did before him, they took three rails and eventually finished in 14th place. Ex-New Zealander and now Australian, Katie Laurie, riding Casebrooke Lomond went double clear to take this prestigious title.

Katie Laurie and Casebrooke Lomond