Individual Qualifying Round

Reining competition was back in action today with the Individual Qualifying Round. The “Consolation Round” was open to the riders who had finished 16th to 36th in the Team Competition. This was their second chance to qualify for the Individual Final, to be held Thursday at 1:00 PM.
Great Britain dominated the go with two British riders claiming the top spots. Lee Rutter rode Roseanne Sternberg’s Setting Off Sparks to the win with a score of 217.5. The lovely buckskin was excellent throughout Pattern 5, which calls for two large fast circles to the left, followed by a small slow circle and then a stop in the center and into four spins to the left. The riders then repeat the maneuvers to the right and then complete a figure eight with lead changes in the center. The pattern wraps up by going around the end of the arena, running down to a slide stop, rolling back right and then repeating to the left. The grand finale is a rundown the right side to the final sliding stop and right into a backup.
Doug Allen joined his countryman on the good list by marking a 216.5 with another Roseanne Sternberg entry, Don Julio Whiz!
The scores were closely grouped throughout the go. Sweden’s Fredrik Thomsson and Gallos Stylish Star scored a 216 for third. Tying for fourth with identical scores of 215.5 were Australia’s Warren Backhouse, riding Whizs Bronze Star, and Hubertus Heule of The Netherlands riding Crome Shiner.
The top five will join the top fifteen scores from the Team Competition in advancing to the Individual Final on Thursday.

Qualified Riders for Individual Final from Team Competition:
1. Shawn Flarida USA
2. Tom McCutcheon USA
2. Stefano Massignan ITA
4. Craig Schmersal USA
4. Bernard Fonck BEL
6. Duane Latimer CAN
7. Rudi Kronsteiner AUT
7. Sylvia Rzepka GER
9. Tim McQuay USA
9. Grischa Ludwig GER
11. Martin Muhlstatter AUT
11. Ann Poels BEL
14. Shawna Sapergia CAN
15. Wellington Jesus Teixeira BRA
15. Martin Larcombe AUS

Qualified Riders from Individual Qualifying Competition:
1. Lee Rutter GBR
2. Doug Allen GBR
3. Fredrik Thomsson SWE
4. Warren Backhouse AUS
4. Hubertus Heule NED