Amanda Pottinger Leads Adelaide CCI4* After Dramatic Cross Country

Amanda Pottinger and Just Kidding. Photo courtesy of the Australian International Three-Day Event.

Amanda Pottinger and Just Kidding lead the Adelaide CCI4*after an exciting and somewhat controversial cross country day at the Australian International Three-Day Event.

Coming off the course, Amanda and the 12-year-old Thoroughbred (Fusaichi Pegasus x Gypsy Princess, by Sadler’s Wells) had 50 penalty points added to their score for jumping outside of the flag on fence 9C, a  brush corner, according to a report from New Zealand Horse & Pony. Second-placed Hazel Shannon was also given the same penalty at the same fence.

After reviewing video, the Ground Jury ultimately decided to remove the penalties for both riders giving us a sense of déjà vu after last year’s penalty controversy.

Four-star debutants, Amanda and “Ferg,” who is owned by the Pottinger Family, were in 8th place yesterday after scoring a 34.8 on the flat. The kiwi pair picked up 12.4 time penalties to go (almost) straight to the top as the second fastest of the day. They carry a score of 47.2 into the final phase.

Hazel Shannon and Willingapark Clifford. Photo courtesy of the Australian International Three-Day Event.

2016 winners Hazel Shannon and Willingapark Clifford, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred owned by Terrence Snow, are looking confident in second place on a current score of 51.5. They added 17.6 time penalties around Mike Etherington-Smith’s track to move up from fifth.

Emily Gray and Jocular Vision. Photo courtesy of the Australian International Three-Day Event.

Though they didn’t finish the day in the very top spot, Emily Gray and  Jocular Vision, a 14-year old Warmblood/Thoroughbred (Jubliee Bay x Pocohontas, by Domingo) made the incredible leap from last place to the top three after a challenging cross country test. They were the very fastest pair of the bunch in 11 minutes and 51 seconds for a two-day result of 67.3.

“I knew this wasn’t going to be a dressage competition for us, we were definitely looking ahead to the Cross Country,” Emily said. “I had my plan in my head. It was a tough track, I didn’t know what had happened out there, and I wanted to stick to my own plan.”

Mike Etherington-Smith’s track received rave reviews from competitors and fans. If you missed it, check out a fly-by at this link. Only half of the 24 starters finished. None finished within the time, but Emily Gray was the closest to the optimum time of 11 minutes 27 seconds.

Adelaide Links: Website, Cross Country ResultsDressage ResultsSchedule

[What a difference a day makes (4* Cross Country results)]