Dapto World Cup class on Saturday may not have huge numbers (10 combinations) starting in it but this made it no less important to 3 riders in particular!

Gavin Chester came into this final, double points round in the lead but breathing down his neck on equal points were Paula Hamood and Paul Asthanasoff so this final round was important to these three riders.

Chris Chugg showed that Vivant is back in style, after being out with injury, winning the final round of the Pacific League World Cup series. They collected 14 points for their win.

Second went to a horse that rumour had retired - Rod Brown and the 16 year old Mr Burns took second spot and the 11 points on the leaderboard.

David Robertson and Sharpe Seal took out third spot and 9 points.

Paul Asthanasoff and his and Charlie Hook's home bred stallion Wirragulla Nicklaus placed fourth and took the 7 points on offer - and this put him as the highest placed of the 3 top contenders in the league.

Vicki Roycroft and Eliza Jane took 5th place and 6 points.

Gavin Chester and Warlord II finished the final class in sixth place to take 5 points which was enough to make him retain the lead.

Paula Hamood and NV Capone slotted into 7th place behind Gavin to take the four points on offer.

Rebecca Allen made a last minute decision to head to Dapto with Koyuna Ted and things didn't go quite according to plan but they did collect 3 points for their 8th placing out of the field of 10. Danielle Butcher and HP Landsong were eliminated in the second round but still received 2 points and the final point went to Stephen Dingwall and Greywynd with their 32 faults in round one.

The final League placings see Gavin Chester and Warlord II winning and they now have the right to represent Australia in Las Vegas in April and it looks like Australia may also see Edwina Alexander competing for Australia as her placing on the European League is currently in the top 20.

Paul Asthanasoff finished 2nd on the leaderboard after a countback was done and this combination must be congratulated - the 8 year old Australian bred stallion has been consistently getting better and better and he has a huge future in the sport - Wirragulla Niklaus is a credit to his breeder/owner and rider.

Paula Hamood and NV Capone took 3rd spot on the league table and again were consistently at the top end of the field.

Fourth place went to the other "class act" in Australia - the 8 year old gelding Ashleigh Drossel Dan and Laurie Lever. This class young horse is another which is Australian bred and is one to watch for the future. Ashleigh Drossel Dan and Wirragulla Niklaus are two 8 year old horses which are showing all the signs of being super International representatives for Australia and both are home bred.

It has been some years since the winner of the Pacific League has chosen to compete but from talking with Gavin, he seems keen to get the stallion to the Final and see how he does. There certainly would not be a more competitive rider in the country and we all wish this combination the best of luck should they make the decision final to go.

Pictured above left - Laurie Lever and the Colin Gron bred Ashleigh Drossel Dan show the younger set that "the old boy still has the ability and talent to produce a quality young horse through to the top levels.

Pictured above centre - Paula Hamood and the 11 year old gelding paint a pretty picture as they clear the fences. Paula, now a resident of Queensland proves that you can combine competitive showjumping with motherhood very successfully.

Pictured above right - Paul Asthanasoff was knocking on the door with his super stallion Wirragulla Hamlet who now stands very successfully at stud and is producing some of the nicest young stock I have seen in a long time and now with Wirragulla Niklaus they have been consistently working their way around the circuit and doing so well - and Paul always has a ready smile and hello for everyone, making him a favourite competitor on the hustings.