The World Cup Qualifier draw saw 29 combinations nominated and the class was a two rounder with a jump off if required. Round two saw combinations with 5 faults and less from Round one being invited back for the second round.

First out was Timmy Clarke and Spielberg and they had four faults in both rounds finishing with 8 faults in total which did see them take place in the lineup. Alyssa Mathers and Oakwood finished with 8 faults keeping them out of round two this time but they 8 faults was no shame on this tough track. Paula Hamood was next out on NV Capone and they were another combination to finish with 8 faults - but it was great to see Paula back in the saddle after having had a nasty crash in the practice ring the previous day which saw her rather "banged up" and no doubt very sore - so all things considered I have no doubt that Paula was pleased with her result.

Clem Smith traveled from a long distance to be in Victoria for the World Cup circus and he brought with him some stunning horses with exceptional ability but today was not to be his day with Clarke Kent who finished with 12 faults in round one.

George Sanna and Boxster were down from New South Wales for this run and after what was looking like a good round they had just the one fence down finishing with four faults but sadly in round two they lowered two fences finishing with a total score of 12 for the class.

Next to go was fellow New South Welshman, Chris Chugg who has long been a supporter of the strong Victorian circuit and he went with his home bred Diamond B Ego and they gave us our first clear round and then went on to give us the first double clear after the second round - so now we were looking for another double clear to give us the jump off that spectators so love to see.

Victorian Robert Agnew and DPEnvy took to track with enthusiasm but sadly had one down but went on to jump a lovely clear second round finishing with a two round score of just four faults. Queenslander, Tim Armitrano and the handsome grey Mr Innocent gave us a very definite clear round one with barely a sound of rails tapping as he negotiated the track but unfortunately for this combination they had one down in round two to finish with a four fault total. Timmy Clarke returned for a second trip around the arena, this time riding Wondaree Without a Doubt, but they were not to make it to round two after two fences fell for them in round one.

Next into the ring would have to be one of Australia's best traveled and most successful showjumpers, Vicki Roycroft and her crowd pleasing little stallion, Premier des Hayettes and they didn't disappoint their fans today when they jumped a superb clear round with the little man not going anywhere near a fence on the course as the photos below show - and they gave the crowd the jump off they wanted by jumping double clear - perhaps tonight was going to be their night as they have run second placings for the past three World Cup starts.

higher and he responds by giving his all for her - but they both make it appear all so effortless as they ping around this big track which saw some of the bigger horses struggle - which all goes to prove that it is "not the size of the horse but the size of the jump in the horse" which counts.

Marissa Moore and Another Excuse had just the one down in round

one but sadly suffered elimination in round two - but no doubt they will be back again in the world cup ring at Bega in the new year. Andrew Lamb and Harvey had a round they rather forget finishing with 20 faults and Rebecca Allen and Falcon were another combination who found this track tough going finishing with 24 faults and 2 time penalties to add insult to injury for them.

Anthony Thomas, who represented Australia at the World Cup Final in Las Vegas earlier this year has two starts for this class and his first ride was on Icon and they finished with 8 faults after round one. Hayley Kelly is another of Victoria's up and coming young riders and she and her "pal" Medicine Man already have World Cup wins to their credit but today was not to be their night when they had two down in round one finishing with 8 faults - but they jumped a super round and I am sure would not be disappointed. Scottie Barclay and his super horse Framfield were next to go and they jumped a cracking round finishing with just two down at the end of round one but Scottie was well pleased with the horse and should also be very happy with the way he rode this tough track after having only been back on the horse for 3 weeks.

Left:Mr Innocent and Tim Armitrano show style over the brick wall in round one.

Below: Scottie Barclay and Framfield show us how they "do a brick wall" and it looks good!

by International Course Designer and Saddler from Mount Gambier, South Australia, John Wilsher and it is a great addition to the equipment at Tonimbuk Equestrian Park, who must be congratulated on their excellent gear.

Chris Chugg was next into the arena on his second visit, this time riding his long time partner who also took Chris eventing and they were very successful in that field as well, Navy Seal. Chris was the first to give us a double clear with Diamond B Ego and he added himself to the jump off with Navy Seal jumping a double clear round - so now we had a three way jump off between two riders - Vicki Roycroft and Chris Chugg with two through.

Michelle Barrera, based in New South Wales was next out on the chestnut import Kayak Van het Gravenhof and she jumped a super round with just one fence lowering but she also gained one time penalty but finishing with 5 faults saw her come back for round two as this was the cut off point and in round two Michelle gave the appreciative crowd a clear round finishing on her five faults from round one.

Janelle Waters on the Sky High son, Heza Sky Hawk had a couple down this week keeping her out of round one but no doubt this will not keep her out of the lineup at Bega as this combination have been enjoying success throughout the season.

Local rider, Greg Smith who was on the team who traveled to Jerez for the World Championships in 2002 was next to go on Henry Higgs, a very talented and handsome bay gelding and no doubt Greg Smith was pleased with the horses performance in this class finishing with just the four faults they gained in round one having a faultless round two.

Russell Morrison and Mr Terminator were not to join the jump off this week finishing round one with 8 faults but Rusty was not disappointed as he has had an excellent show this far and was still on quite a "high" from his win the previous week. Anthony Thomas and Classic Style opted to retire after things got a little "messy" on course. Amanda Madigan, originally hailing from Western Australia, then moved south to Victoria and is now based in New South Wales took her turn around the track riding her very talented chestnut Havarti, named for the cheese, and they jumped a super clear round one but unfortunately had a couple down in round two keeping them out of this jump off - but it is only a matter of time I believe before this pair are well up the line in the presentations. Another local rider and youngster, Matt Williams put a tough question to the little chestnut, Another Flashback and as always the little horse came up with the right answer just dropping the one fence in round one but coming up clear in the second round giving them a final total of four and putting them in the presentation lineup. Allan McClusker and Southern Cross Lyra decided to retire when things go messy and they will obviously go and regroup before their next World Cup class. Michelle Barrera was another with two horses in this class and this time she as riding Will, the former mount of first George Sanna and then Chris Chugg and they finished with 12 faults this time keeping them out of round two.

Alison Rowland and her very talented bay mare Country Fair were another combination to choose retirement after things went a little wrong - this is unusual for this mare who has developed a very level head and sad for the audience as both rider and horse are great competitors to watch as they give 100% all the time.

David Dobson was next and he and wife Linda would have to win the prize for traveling the greatest distance being from Western Australia - they join the Victorian circuit around August each year with their sensational team of horses from Noblewood Park Stud who've had a very big year with both Linda and David traveling to Germany earlier this year to try and secure a team place for Australia in Athens in 2004 - sadly this did not happen but no doubt the experience they and the horses gained will be invaluable. Noblewood Park Stud must be acknowledged and thanked by all for their total dedication to showjumping in Australia and its improvement. So back to the jumping and David Dobson and Nobelwood Park Cantara didn't have the dream round lowering three fences but don't count them out - this is an exceptional combination who had an unlucky day.

Last to go was Tonimbuk's resident rider, Brook Dobbin but this time he was only entered on his own horse GPShine - sadly we did not get to see Cloverflush or Ard Black Cat jumping in this class which is unusual on their home ground. Brook did not have a great round lowering four fences and also picking up 5 time faults keeping him out of the second round.

While on the subject of Ard Black Cat - the Leading Horse at Cavan International Young Rider show as a delightful little mare named Ye Wee Girl, ridden by Lucy Buchanan and she is by Ard Black Cat. For more on this classy little mare wander into Archives and check out the October Cavan International Young Riders story.

So the scene was set for a fast and furious jump off with two of Australia's most competitive riders going head to head - Vicki Roycroft with the crowd pleaser, Premier des Hayettes and Chris Chugg with Diamond B Ego and Navy Seal.

Diamond BEgo was first to go and as he lowered a fence the crowd groaned but his time was exceptional stopping the clock at 30secs flat.

Vicki came out and you could see that both she and Premier des Hayettes meant business - they never came near to touching a fence the entire way around the course with "Errol" just seeming to jump high and higher with each fence like a little elastic ball and their reward was a clear round with a time which was beatable but only by a clear round!

Chugg returned to the arena with Navy Seal and again the crowd held its collective breath as they headed through the start flags but again Chris lowered a fence finishing again with four faults in the time of 30.10secs -giving him 2nd and 3rd placings but this evening the Mitavite World Cup qualifying class went to Vicki Roycroft and the crowds favourite little stallion, Premier des Hayattes - and the crowd were well pleased with the result as was Vicki herself who quite obviously adores the handsome bay stallion who took the head of the lineup!

Left: the content faces of the winning combination - and is this not one of the most handsome faces you have seen on a stallion for a long time!

Below:The result brought a roar from the appreciative crowd there to watch the class.