Megan Jones will be on her way to the World Cup Final in Poland later in the year

On 2nd and 3rd May 2009, Sydney's International Equestrian Centre was the venue for Australia's sole qualifier round of the inaugural HSBC FEI World CupTM Eventing Qualifier, one of only nine such qualifier rounds to be held worldwide in the lead up to the HSBC FEI World Cup Eventing Final in Poland later in 2009.

South Australian based rider Megan Jones has now won round one in New Zealand and round two in Sydney and is assured of a place in Poland for the Final. Jones rode the homebred 15.3hh grey Kirby Park Irish Jester, the same horse on whom she won team silver and finished fourth individually at the Olympics in Hong Kong last year, at both of the World Cup qualifiers.

In second place was Victorian Georgia Clifford on Its Monty, with Sydney Olympic Gold Medallist and local legend, Stuart Tinney, third on Vettori. Jones also took fourth with Kirby Park Allofasudden.

The NSW Minister for the Department of Sport and Recreation, The Hon Kevin Greene, joined by HSBC representative Steven Tipple, Chairman of Equestrian NSW Paul Cargill and Chairman of the FEI Eventing Committee Wayne Roycroft, presented the winner, Megan Jones with the $15 000 prize money in front of a large crowd in the indoor arena. The top ten riders thrilled the crowds with a victory lap led by Jones, Clifford and Tinney.

2nd place to Gerogia Clifford and It's Monty

3rd place to Stuart Tinney and Vettori

Equestrian NSW and Equestrian Australia combined the HSBC FEI World CupTM Eventing Qualifier with the IRT Greater Sydney World Cup Show Jumping Qualifier. This class had 18 entries, including 2 from Western Australia, 3 from Victoria and 1 from Queensland. Chris Chugg and Vivant had two masterful clear rounds to win the IRT Greater Sydney World Cup Show Jumping Qualifier. The only rider to have a double clear in the class, Chugg was clearly the crowd favourite. Olympic representative Laurie Lever and Ashleigh Drossel Dan placed second with Young Show Jumper of the Year, Emily Blinkworth and CP Romantic Dream in third.

Final Results 

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