FORMER Warrnambool showjumper Jamie Kermond has given his World Equestrian Games selection hopes a boost with victory at an Austrian competition.
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Kermond and his mount Quite Cassini produced three clear rounds — two of which were in jump-offs — to win the Gaston Glock Championship at Magna Racino, near Vienna.
The 29-year-old, who these days lives at Ebenezer, north-west of Sydney, was the only rider to twice go clear in the jump-off. He clocked 47.20 seconds.
His fault-free performance allowed him to edge out German Andrew Brennan and Cronos, who completed the course in 42.94 seconds but collected four penalties.
Austrian Nina Brand and her mount Calme finished third. They, like Brennan, were quicker than Kermond in 44.17 but suffered because of four penalties.
Kermond is among eight riders vying for one of four spots on the Australian team for World Equestrian Games at Normandy, France, from August 23 to September 7.
He needs to impress in two qualifying events in Belgium and Germany next month to secure automatic selection.
Two of the berths are for those who gain automatic selection. National selectors will have the final say on two other riders for the squad.
The fifth squad member is Australian jumping team captain Edwina Tops-Alexander, a two-time Olympian who gained early nomination.