Laurie And Mark Fly Kiwi Flag High in Vegas   17 Apr 2015

Laurie And Mark Fly Kiwi Flag High in Vegas

Katie Laurie and Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark sit on 15 points heading into the next round of the 2015 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final in Las Vegas after a sterling effort today saw them take just a single rail to finish in 26th place of the 41 starters.

“That rail cost us a lot but if I jumped the course again, I am not sure I would change anything,” said Laurie. “He was way stirred up more than usual in the practice jump, but once we got started he was very good.”

Laurie is confident Iron Mark (owned by June Berrington) will continue to get better as the competition progresses.

The Anthony D'Ambrosio designed course caused plenty of problems for many riders, including retirements from Marcus Ehning (GER) on Singular LS la Silla and Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) aboard Fair Light van T Heike.

The very tight course called for plenty of commitment and a cool head, and had riders swooping all around the arena, with plenty of temptation to go for broke or take turns that could well ruin the whole week ahead.

“Hopefully we will go well tomorrow and make the top 20 for Sunday (Monday NZ time),” said Laurie.

The class today was won by 19-year-old Bertram Allen (IRE) on Molly Malone V who finished on 65.45 seconds, with the 19-year-old Flexible and Rich Fellers (USA) just behind him on 66.11 seconds.

Laurie and Iron Mark finished on 76.59 seconds in the speed class, which saw rails converted to time. The rail they took came down for quite a few riders. Allen sits on 41 points at the top of the field.

Today's competition was held in true Vegas style, with lots of glitz, glamour and colour, and a good healthy dose of patriotism.

Tomorrow, is a jump-off class, followed by Monday's (NZ time) two round final. Sunday (NZ time) is the $US75,000 Canadian Pacific Grand Prix of Las Vegas for non-world cup final horses.
The World Cup final features 42 of the very best showjumpers.

ENDS

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