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John Lechner

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About John Lechner

John Lechner is Australian based in the Hunter Valley of NSW with a focus on Eventing Photography and Writing about the sport he is passionate about. You can check out John's photography at http://esjphoto.com.au/about/

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Craig Barrett & Sandhills Brillaire Win Adelaide CCI4*

Craig Barrett and Sandhills Brillaire at Adelaide in 2012. Photo by John Lechner. Craig Barrett and Sandhills Brillaire at Adelaide in 2012. Photo by John Lechner.
Craig Barrett and Sandhills Brillaire Champions of the 2012 Australian International Three Day Event

Craig Barrett and Sandhills Brillaire won the Adelaide CCI4*.

Craig Barrett is the champion of the 2012 Australian International Three-Day Event — Adelaide CCI4* — the second leg of the HSBC Classics Series. Craig started this weekend with two mounts, the more seasoned Wendela Jamie and Sandhills Brillaire. Yesterday, as trailblazer on cross country, Brillaire and Craig set the bar high for the rest of the field and only one other competitor was able to match his XC round.

Final CCI4* results are here: Adelaide CCI4*
Nat Blundell & Algebra 2nd in the 2012 Aus3DE CCI4*

Nat Blundell & Algebra were 2nd in the Adelaide CCI4*.

Natalie Blundell and the nippy Algebra also had a faultless round that essentially left the two competitors in a two horse race for the Championship. Nat started her XC round only two rails behind Craig and, unfortunately, took two rails in the only jumping round of the day under time.
Double Dan Horsemanship Performance during a break

Double Dan Horsemanship Performance during a break

Those rails gave Craig a good buffer of 24. Craig’s steady round was faultless to the last fence, when he took out the HSBC plank. With 3 time penalties, he still held a comfortable lead and took a well-deserved win.
Craig has worked so hard at the top of his game for many years without bringing home many of the big titles. Today his luck changed and his greatest fan, his wife, Prue Barrett, was thrilled to see their work pay off. Nat Blundell and Algebra had another fantastic weekend, but it just wasn’t enough to beat Craig, who was in top form.
Wilhelm Enzinger & Flowervale Maserati winners of the CCI2* Aus3DE 2012

Wilhelm Enzinger & Flowervale Maserati are winners of the Adelaide CCI2*.

Earlier in the day, the small field was narrowed by one after John Twomey and Highly Recommended were spun in the jogs. John and his legion of fans were disappointed, but I have no doubt that we will see John reach great heights in 2013, and he will be knocking on the selector’s doors well before Normandy in 2014.
In the CCI2*, we had an upset before competition had even started, with Shane Rose withdrawing the leader, CP Qualified, overnight. So Wilhelm Enzinger stepped up into first place before the trot up and held onto it with both hands.
Final CCI2* results are here: Adelaide CCI2*
Wil looked fantastic in the jumping and his horse, Flowervale Maserati, was stunningly presented. He looked every bit the winner all day. Wil started his jumping round with just over two rails in hand and used both. Natalie Siiankoski will have to wait for another weekend to take away the prize money.
The two-star class lost a few overnight and in the trot, with only 35 of the 41 left yesterday commencing the jumping. The two-star class also played host to the Dublin National Young Rider Championship, which was won by Jaimie Stichel on Image Blue Ice. I must say, I have never seen a pair better matching with their adornments.
Jaimie Stichel & Image Blue Ice winners of the Dublin National Young Rider Championship 2012

Jaimie Stichel & Image Blue Ice are winners of the Dublin National Young Rider Championship 2012.

Another year and a fantastic weekend at Adelaide. The committee, volunteers, officials, the city of Adelaide, and the state of South Australia really know how to throw a party, and I want to thank them for their hospitality. As always, I will be back again next year.
Yours in eventing,
ESJ

A Glorious Cross Country Day in the Adelaide Parklands

Nat Blundell & Algebra. Nat Blundell & Algebra.
Craig Barrett and Sandhills Brillaire, leaders after XC in the CCI4* Adelaide 2012

Craig Barrett and Sandhills Brillaire, leaders after XC in the CCI4* Adelaide 2012

Today’s weather prediction for hot and sunny came true especially for the four star class. Earlier in the two star we enjoyed some light cloud cover and a breeze which really took the edge off the heat but like magic for the four star we had crystal clear skies and it got hot.

These Aussie horses are used to the heat and coped rather well with the conditions. However there were some tired horses at the end of the day.

In the two star Shane Rose held the lead despite picking up an uncharacteristic 1.6 time penalties on the course. Of the 54 horses who started dressage yesterday only 41 completed today’s tough course. Seven were elimated, 6 others failed to complete, and 11 combinations went double clear on course.

Shane Rose and CP Qualified, leaders after XC in the CCI4*

Shane Rose and CP Qualified, leaders after XC in the CCI2*

For the 2*, the Equestrian Australia Hollows caused the majority of issues on course with the skinny before the coffin upsetting a few. Two combinations picked up 21 penalties today for breaking a frangible fence.

Trot up is first thing tomorrow and the show jumping commences at 10:30am.

In the four star we started with 14 combinations, unfortunately only 8 completed, this time the bogey fence was fence thirteen, a skinny roll top brush in the water. All in all, six combinations had stops at this fence and two of those were eliminated or retired at the fence, including last year’s winner, Stuart Tinney.

Natalie Siiankoski & Smart Show Off, in second place after XC in the CCI2*

Natalie Siiankoski & Smart Show Off, in second place after XC in the CCI2*

The fence was just after they emerged from the dark on an island, and it seemed like the horses were reading an obstacle in the water on the approach to the fence. I am sure there will be further discussion about this fence in the coming days.

Overnight leader Shane Rose opted to retire close to home after having two stops earlier in the course. The leaderboard has been turned on its head with the top three combinations failing to complete. Craig Barrett on his less experienced Sandhills Brillaire has moved into the lead after having a clean round, picking up just 2 seconds of time. Craig was the fastest on course.

Nat Blundell and the brilliant Algebra looked smoking hot on cross country. I think that Nat had a hard time containing his enthusiasm, hence they picked up more time than they would have hoped for with 5.6 time, giving Craig two rails breathing space tomorrow.

Nat Blundell & Algebra, moved into 2nd place after XC

Nat Blundell & Algebra, moved into 2nd place after XC

Third place is now held by Murray Lampard who moved up from fourth place. Craig and Nat have a decent buffer tomorrow with Nat being a full 25.7 in front of Murray. So barring anything unforeseen in the trot, or a disastrous jumping round from either, we will see either Craig or Nat crowned champion tomorrow afternoon.

Murray Lamperd & Under the Clocks, third after XC

Murray Lamperd & Under the Clocks, third after XC

Full results are here:

CCI4*

CCI2*

I’m off to bed and will catch you tomorrow.

 

ESJ

 

Shane Rose leads in the CCI4* & CCI2* at Adelaide

Double Dan's showing how a good man can multitask Double Dan's showing how a good man can multitask
The Double Dans doing an amazing trick on an Eventer

The Double Dans doing an amazing trick on an Eventer

Today in Adelaide, it was action packed in so many ways, take the Double Dans (above) for instance, this trick was tried today for the first time, the horse jumping is a one star event horse that Dan rode for the first time 20 mins before I took this shot. They entertained the crowds twice today with a lunch time performance before this trick in the twilight (not the movie).

There was plenty of movement in the 2* dressage, Wil Enzinger (Flowervale Maserati) took the early lead before Debbie Kopp (King Tim) took over and then Shane Rose and CP Qualified finally took an unassailable lead. Final 2* results are here.

Flowervale Maserati with Wil Enzinger on board looking stunning

Flowervale Maserati with Wil Enzinger on board looking stunning

In the 4* class Stuart Tinney (Pluto Mio) took the early lead with a nice test leaving them on 49.8 penalties. With a small field like this (14 starters) the dressage flew by. The field included a mix of Australia’s best and some new riders stepping up to four star level. The Ground Jury of Christian Landolt of Switzerland, USA’s own Marilyn Payne and Australia’s Jill Sinclair truly appreciated Shane Rose’s (APH Moritz) test with the pair scoring 69.45% or 45.8 penalties.

Shane Rose & APH Moritz leaders after dressage in the CCI4*

Shane Rose & APH Moritz leaders after dressage in the CCI4*

The final mover on the leaderboard was Craig Barrett who entered the ring last on Wendela Jamie and from the outset they looked fantastic. I spoke with Craig after the test and he said the horse just came onto the bit and stayed with him the whole time, he couldn’t have asked for more. Craig and Jamie slipped in front of Stuart to finish on 47.3 penalties. Full results for the Four Star here.

One of the great things about Adelaide is that it attracts our overseas-based riders, so far this weekend I have spied Sam Griffiths, Paul Tapner, Clayton Fredericks and Chris Burton swanning around. These guys have spent a lot of time in dark sunnies signing autographs although William Fox-Pitt has stolen many of their adoring fans.

Chris "Burto" Burton wearing his safety thongs (flip-flops)

Chris "Burto" Burton wearing his safety thongs (flip-flops)

Cross country tomorrow is sure to be challenging, tough and hot. It is expected to be hot 33C (91f), the vets have asked for a small change in the course, allowing the horses to finish and head straight into the cooling area.

Cross country starts at 10am for the 2 star and 4 star at 2:20pm Adelaide time.

I leave you with a couple of pics from the Double Dans and dressage.

John Twomey and Highly Recommended in the CCI4*

John Twomey and Highly Recommended in the CCI4*

Amanda Ross & Loxley in the CCI2*

Amanda Ross & Loxley in the CCI2*

Double Dan's showing how a good man can multitask

Double Dan's showing how a good man can multitask

See you all tomorrow, yours in Eventing.

 

ESJ

 

Adelaide kicks off with picture perfect weather

The HSBC Water Complex - Australian Three Day Event 2012

The HSBC Water Complex - Australian Three Day Event 2012, photo by ESJ Photo

Yes, it is me… ESJ, I know it has been a while, I have been a busy boy, doing all sorts of things with my photography, including working with models (of the human not equine kind). Fate brings me back to Adelaide where my personal EN adventure began in 2010.

Today was a beautiful day with clear skies, warm sun and a nice breeze just a perfect way to kick off Australia’s premier CCI, the weather for the weekend also looks good although a little hotter.

Aust three day event 2012

Robert Palm and Koko Black CCI4* pair, photo by ESJ Photo

This morning we kicked off with the Trot (Jog) in the CCI2* and then CCI4*. Unfortunately it wasn’t everyone’s day with 5 combinations bowing out before the end of the inspection in the two star and a further combination in the four star.

The combinations going home early in the CCI2* are:

Wendy Schaeffer & Sun Showers
Emma Mason & Poker Face
Makayla Wood & Just Corona
Fiona Guthrie & Crockadoo
Dominic Jones & Paint the Sky

In the CCI4* Soigne Jackson and Gold will not be starting tomorrow afternoon when the CCI4* competition begins.

The two star competition got heated at the end of the day with the best performances rewarded in the last two sessions of the day. Sophie Adams on Mercator Du Ry took the lead before the afternoon tea break with a 45.9. After the tea break  Lindsay Honey from Western Australia equalled Sophie’ score to take the joint lead.

Wendela Jamie one of two mounts for Craig Barrett

Wendela Jamie one of two mounts for Craig Barrett, photo by ESJ Photo

The last two riders of the day Amanda Habjan (Ellesmore Storm) jumped into  third and then the last rider for the day Jade Findlay (Frontier Psychiatrist) slipped in front of Amanda to take third rounding out the top five is Kirsty Douglas (Cushavon Crackerjack). Full scores are here.

This is my fourth time at Adelaide on a Wayne Copping designed track and each time he manages to find new elements to the track, new directions and new fences. This time there are a few interesting new inclusions.

Channel 7 Stag Corner, like no fence I have ever seen before

Channel 7 Stag Corner, like no fence I have ever seen before, photo by ESJ Photo

Most interesting to me is the new Channel 7 Stag Corner elements, when you approach directly from the front it looks like you can gallop between the parallel brushes that make up the fence, but in fact when taken on the correct line they make a very big brush fence, on a turn to another and then a skinny triple. This combination may cause some excitement on Saturday.

The Equestrian Australia Hollow, Duck, Coffin, Duck

The Equestrian Australia Hollow, Duck, Coffin, Duck, photo by ESJ Photo

Dressage resumes first thing in the morning. Here are some pics to finish off.

Yours in Eventing

 

ESJ

 

Why I could never be an Olympic Eventer

Megan Jones & Kirby Park Allofasudden, the newest members of the Aussie Olympic Eventing Team, image by John Lechner | ESJ Photo

Megan Jones & Kirby Park Allofasudden, the newest members of the Aussie Olympic Eventing Team, image by John Lechner | ESJ Photo

Hey EN, it’s ESJ remember me? I know it has been over a month since my last post on EN, it actually feels like longer.  It’s not that I don’t love you anymore, it has simply been the first time in a while I let life get in front of Eventing.  Well for a little over a week anyway on a family holiday and since then I have actually slept better and today is the first day in about six weeks that I have got up just after 3am to write.

So where have I been? Firstly I took a holiday with my family, I left Facebook, Twitter and EN behind.  We were in sunny Phuket, Thailand when they announced the Aussie Eventing team.  That alone left me a bit dumbstruck.  The fact that I was completely out of the loop added to the controversy that erupted at the time.

I actually thought about putting my fingers on the keyboard several times about the Aussie team and each time I was left with the feeling that I couldn’t write something completely positive so I didn’t do it . In the end no matter who ends up wearing the green and gold outfits this weekend I want to support them.

So anyway here comes the actual story I decided to write, Why I could never be an Olympic Eventer.

Lets get the obvious out of the way before you starting peppering the comment with sarcasm.  I am a crap rider and currently don’t even have a horse, so that makes it a little difficult to be selected.  However there are some other traits I just don’t have.

Dogged determination: While I don’t like being beaten and strive to do the things I do well, I do not get up every day with thoughts of a singular goal in my head.  That gold medal while nice requires a lot of sacrifices I am not sure I want to make.  Can I sleep in if I want?  Probably not for that chance at selection.

What about the heartbreak Shane Rose and Megan Jones have suffered in the last couple of days, as with many Eventers before them and into the future.  There are two athletes in every combination to keep at their absolute peak of condition.  Things go wrong, years of work can go awry in an instant. How do you face a media conference and say, we will be back?

I honestly wish I had the guts to know what that feels like because I know how horrible it felt sitting at home watching on my laptop, it was heartbreaking.

A strong dose of OCD: Working with horses is about building a relationship and routine.  You can’t change your training methods every day, you must be annoyingly consistent. C onsistency is something I struggle with, I get bored so easily it is not funny.  But can I work on perfecting my extended trot every day or jump a corner 50 times to make sure we have it down perfect?  Absolutely not.

A missed chance is a miss for another four years: Yes we all want win Badminton, Burghley and WEG but to be an Olympian is an honour, to be a gold medalist the highest honour.  Four years of preparation can fall apart in a moment and suddenly you have another four years to prepare.  I am an impatient bugger, I don’t like waiting 4 minutes let alone 4 hours.  I would simply give up if I had to wait 4 years. I know there are many steps on the journey in between but simply I couldn’t do it.

Shane Rose and Taurus at the Sydney Three Day Event, image by John Lechner | ESJ Photo

Shane Rose and Taurus at the Sydney Three Day Event, image by John Lechner | ESJ Photo

Self belief: Not only must you have a brilliant horse or preferably three or four, the determination, skill, patience but you must absolutely believe you can do it.  That means you need a strong and supportive team around you to help pick you up on those days when you do forget you are good enough. You must believe in yourself.

Your team: The team around you must be absolutely solid in their support for you achieving your goal.  They must be prepared to make hundreds of sacrifices every year to help you get to your goal.  Holidays are a great example.  I just spent eight days in Phuket, drinking cocktails by the pool and shopping in the tropical sun.

There is no way if I was chasing Olympic gold we could afford this either financially or in time.  So is your family prepared to  give up their dreams and aspirations to support your goal of Oympic glory, mine aren’t.  Don’t get me wrong my wife Kim and my boys are highly supportive of my aspirations and worldwide travel with my sport but not at the expense of being able to do things as a family.

Poverty: We all know that living with horses is an easy way to poverty.  Working with a horse or team of horses at the elite level is a costly exercise and unless you are lucky enough to marry into wealth or sold your last Olympic prospect for a cool million, chances are you throw every single spare dollar you have into your horses.  No fancy restaurants for you, in fact McDonalds becomes fuel for travelling long distances with a truck loaded with horses nothing else.  Holidays are days when you don’t work horses not actually going somewhere.  All your birthday and Christmas presents are horse related.  Besides what things can’t be fixed with baling twine??

You must ignore what people write and say about you: Everyone has an opinion, look at me, I write some crazy stuff.  For me it was brought home when I got a call from an Aussie rider about a story I had written in the lead up to selection.  The whole process to even get to the point of being considered for an Olympic team is an emotional roller coaster.  If you want to stay even remotely sane, do not read the stories written about you.  If you do not want to turn into a raging lunatic then you MUST NOT EVER read the comments about you.  Talk to the media, be nice, smile for the pics and then forget about it, otherwise you may not have the courage to get out of bed tomorrow.

Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliott, one of the travelling reserves for the Aussie Team, image by John Lechner | ESJ Photo

Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliott, one of the travelling reserves for the Aussie Team, image by John Lechner | ESJ Photo

Finally, you have to be the best: Every week, whether at four star or novice every time you get on a horse you must be thinking of being the best, taking the next step to Olympic glory.  Me personally I’d rather just fork over the cash and come and watch the best. Bring my trusty Nikon and hope I shoot some great pics of the best in action.

When I wrote my series on the teams that I believed would be selected for the Games I did it in full knowledge that I was taking a stab in the dark.  I upset people along the way, even though that was never my intention.  What I did learn however is how focused and determined the best are.  I admire every single one of them for all of the reasons above.  I know that I could never do it even if I had the skills. I just don’t have the fortitude, most of us don’t and that is why we admire these guys and girls so much.

This Olympic Games will be one of the most hotly contested Eventing competitions in a long time.  I wish our sport, our horses and our riders all the best.  No matter which teams and individuals end up on the medal dias, it will be exciting.  I just wish I was in London to witness it first hand.

Go the Aussies!

Yours in Eventing,

ESJ

The Australian Conundrum

Tim Boland & GV Billy Elliot at Sydney

Tim Boland & GV Billy Elliot at Sydney, image by ESJ Photo

Sometime in the next two weeks I expect the Aussie selectors to finally declare their hands. My guess is at the moment, they are currently cutting up little squares of paper and writing horse names on them. Because to be honest they have too much choice.

Back in March when I wrote my story on the Aussie team  and picked my team I honestly thought the Aussie team was the hardest to pick. Having selected (my choices only) seven teams for seven Nations. The Aussie team is no clearer to me than it was in March.
Heartbreakingly, the one horse I thought was guaranteed a spot was Stuart Tinney’s Panamera, which has since picked up a suspensory ligament injury and will not be available for team selection. At one stage I thought Clayton Fredericks was ruled out after having been trodden on by his mount at Saumur in a fall in mid May. Clayton was out last weekend and on winning form so he is still in the mix.
Then there is the serial agitator of the Aussie selectors Tim Boland. Tim and GV Billy Elliot have for a long time been able to pull off the best dressage test in Australia from an Eventer, although Mystery Whisper was giving him a run for his money at one stage.
But Tim & Billy had cross country issues, racking up time a little too regularly and the odd 20. But recently they have sorted that out and now this pair has suddenly gone from being in the peripheral vision of the selectors to standing proud, heads held high yelling “pick me!”
Emma Mason & F1 Pharinelli at Sydney CCI3* in April

Emma Mason & F1 Pharinelli at Sydney CCI3* in April, image by ESJ Photo

Last weekend at the Melbourne 3DE in the CCI3* Tim & Billy added just 6.8 time to their impressive 35 dressage score to finish a full 17.4 in front of Shane.
As for their former slow ways on XC, they were 4th fastest in fact, Shane (who is normally fastest) was a full 13 seconds slower than Tim. This and recent performances including coming a close second to Shane and Taurus at the Sydney Three Day Event in April put them firmly in the frame.
That frame is quite full, in fact there are 13 horses on the Aussie Elite list and all but two (Panamera and Be My Guest) are still in contention. In addition, there are another 17 horses on the A-Squad and at least half of them are in contention as well.
The A-Squad includes Megan Jones – KP Allofasudden, Shane Rose – Taurus, Christine Bates – Adelaide Hill, Emma Scott – Mustang, Stuart Tinney – Pluto Mio, Tim & Billy, Andrew Hoy – Rutherglen, Chris Burton – Haruzac, Lucinda Fredericks – Prada, Wendy Schaeffer – Koyuna Sun Dancer and more.
Shane Rose & Taurus at Kihikihi Horse Trials

Shane Rose & Taurus at Kihikihi Horse Trials, image by ESJ Photo

 

The final showdown for hopefuls is this weekend at Luhmuhlen where we will see up to nine Aussie pairs vying for spots; in fact, there are two hopeful to skip the A-list and Elite squad and go straight onto the Olympic squad: Peter Atkins and Henny making their return after Peter’s broken leg, and Kevin McNab with Clifton Pinot hoping to make a last minute impression after missing Rolex due to a minor injury.

There will be combinations ruled out in the coming weeks due to injuries big or small, in fact it is important to remember that when picking a team, the selectors make a list and then the team vet, and in the case of Australia, Denis “Bear” Goulding will have the last say as to who makes it onto the team.
I expect 5 horses to make it onto the plane in Sydney in a couple of weeks, they will narrow the squad down in the UK, just days before the Games.
Megan Jones & Kirby Park Allofasudden

Megan Jones & Kirby Park Allofasudden, image by ESJ Photo

As to who will make it on the plane, perhaps Equestrian Australia should just charter the whole plane and send the lot, let them all mix it up in the UK & Europe for a few months.
Who the selectors will pick is anyone’s guess, as I said at the start they could just write the names on paper, chuck them into an Akubra and pick five.
Who do I want to see on the team?  Well that backs me in a corner. But I will be brave, and at the risk of offending some friends, here is my list to go into camp in the UK of the Aussie based horses. In no particular order:
Tim Boland – GV Billy Elliot
Shane Rose – Taurus
Megan Jones – KP Allofasudden
Stuart Tinney – Pluto Mio
Final spot is a toss of the coin
Christine Bates – Adelaide Hill or Emma Mason – F1 Pharinelli both are impressive. Maybe we need to squeeze six on the plane rather than five.
What I am excited about is the prospects for Aussie Eventing today and in the future.
Yours in Eventing,

ESJ’s last Olympic team selection – The Brits

Piggy French & 'DHI Topper W' at Blenheim in 2011. The horse has since been campaigned by Paul Burgess and Bubby Upton. Image by ESJ Photo. Piggy French & 'DHI Topper W' at Blenheim in 2011. The horse has since been campaigned by Paul Burgess and Bubby Upton. Image by ESJ Photo.
Piggy French & DHI Topper W at Blenheim 2011

Piggy French & DHI Topper W at Blenheim 2011, image by ESJ Photo

The Brits, or as us Aussies prefer to call them, the Poms. As home team one would assume that they perhaps have a home team advantage.  But given that Greenwich park is a new venue much of the home team advantage is eroded.  Even the lack of travel can’t be claimed as an advantage.  For instance the entire Kiwi team is UK based, a good portion of the Aussie team is likewise.  The French, Germans, Italians, Irish and many more are just a short boat ride from London.

Certainly there will be a weight of British crowds supporting the team, the bulk of the 50,000 (has it changed again??) spectators on XC day will be supporting the Brits but no doubt there will be large and vocal teams of supporters from all other nations.

So when it comes to picking a British team I had trouble finding a list to start with, I have found the Team GBR [http://www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk/performance-squads/] – Eventing list but surprisingly I cannot find an actual list on the British Eventing website. Anyhow we move on and start at the top of the list. I also know I have procrastinated for MANY weeks on writing this one.

The challenge for the entire British based Eventing community is getting the competition experience they need before the Games in July. With Badminton cancelled there was a mad scramble to re-schedule horses to other suitable events. The problem is that the poor weather has continued and events continue to be cancelled. How many events that end up cancelled will be anyone’s guess.

First up is Kristina (Tina) Cook, who was a member of both the Beijing bronze medal winning team and more recently the WEG Kentucky gold medal team. Tina’s number one ride and partner for both championship successes, Minors Frolic, is certainly a possibility to represent Britain for a third straight championship event. There have been a couple of incompletes recently that present a warning sign for selectors, however the most recent results seem to point to this pair being back on track.

Tina & Miners Frolic are running in the CIC3* class this weekend against some class competition, so this I guess is their final chance to prove themselves worthy of selection. Tina has two other horses entered at Bramham in the massive (over 90 entries) CCI3* class both Regal Red and De Novo News. However going on form I do not believe either horse is a serious contender for the British team.

Next on the list is Ruth Edge and who currently has three horses that may be possibilities on the surface at least. Ruth’s most experienced horse is Two Thyme, unfortunately their recent history is somewhat checkered with three retirements at major competitions including last weekend’s Tattersalls in the CIC3* class. I don’t believe this pair are serious contenders for the team. Ruth’s other two mounts Rogersdale and Nick of Thyme, may be possibilities in the future but not London.

William Fox-Pitt & Bay My Hero at Blenheim 2011

William Fox-Pitt & Bay My Hero at Blenheim 2011, image by ESJ Photo

Next on the list is William Fox-Pitt, the question for selectors is not whether to include William but which mount of his is fittest and best suited to the Greenwich track. William has huge depth of horsepower below him, by my count there are nine horses in the Fox-Pitt stables that are theoretically qualified to compete at the Games. While some are LOOOOOONG shots there are at least three possible mounts for William at the Games.

First up is Parklane Hawk which is an obvious choice after winning back to back four stars Burghley and then Lexington (Rolex), this horse is amazing and could be a easy pick for the selectors.

Let me divert for a moment, given the cancellation of this year’s Badminton, William has two very interesting possibilities in the next 12 months. Firstly and uniquely he has the chance of winning the Rolex Grand Slam on one horse, highly unlikely normally given the timing of the events. Secondly he has the chance to theoretically be competing for two chances at the Grand Slam at the same time.

He already has Burghley & Rolex in the bag and they have clarified that if he wins Badminton next year he will win the Grand Slam. But what happens if he wins Burghley later this year and Rolex again in 2013. Is he up for two lots of prize money if he wins at Badminton in 2013? Five straight Grand Slams would certainly be worthy of at least double the prize money???

Back to the Games, Oslo is also in contention on the team with four wins in recent starts, he would be my number two choice for William. [UPDATE: UK Eventing Blog just tweeted out this morning that Olso is injured and will NOT be in contention for the Olympics.] Macchiato who seems to have been around for a million years was due to compete this weekend at Bramham, this 14 year old Argentinian/Aussie gelding has eight 4* starts to its name and would have been a great back up horse for Team Fox-Pitt, however earlier this week Team Fox-Pitt announced the retirement of the horse. Lionheart remains in the frame as he and Oslo compete in the CIC3* class this weekend at Brahman. Neuf Des Coeurs is also in the mix with an entry into the CCI4* at Luhmuhlen next week.

Piggy French has two top class rides in the running for the British team, I think it will be very hard for the selectors to leave Piggy off the team the simple question is which mount. Jakata is in fine form and cleaned up at Houghton a couple of weeks ago finishing on their dressage score of 38.1 this pair have a tonne of experience and while it hasn’t always been rosy, the last couple of years have been stellar.

Piggy’s second ride is DHI Topper W which I was lucky enough watch them win at Blenheim last year, back then they looked unstoppable. The pair picked up a second place at Burnham Market in April with six top three finishes in seven starts must also be on the radar of the British selectors.

The next name on the list is Pippa Funnell, unfortunately Pippa ruled herself out of contention in April when her two top mounts Redesigned and Billy Shannon sustained injuries. Pippa is a tough competitor and while this is a setback I expect to see her again in contention for Normandy in two years.

Mary King & Kings Temptress

Mary King & Kings Temptress Burghley 2011, image by Peter Nixon/FEI

Mary King has three mounts in the mix although I think only Imperial Cavalier and Kings Temptress are really in contention. My pick would be Kings Temptress, this 12 year old mare has been on a roll at four star level in the last two years including a win at Rolex last year and then coming third to Fox-Pitt and Nicholson at Burghley last year.

Polly Stockton poses an interesting question for the Brits, she has great experience, has been part of the team before and while on the surface appears to have horsepower, her results are not what you might hope. Her top mount Westwood Mariner finished in a fantastic 3rd place at Tatts last weekend and you would think would have them in the clear running.

Personally while I hope that this Tatts result is a sign of things to come from this 11 year old gelding I don’t think their past results warrant selection on the team. As for Regulus Polly’s other mount, I think that he at 16 is past his best. Unfortunately I don’t believe we will see Polly on the 2012 London team.

The next name on the list is Oliver Townend, he has three mounts that are qualified to compete at London, his first is a young and very green horse Arctic Mouse who no selector would risk their reputation on; this horse has a future but just doesn’t have the miles to run at an Olympics. Next up is Armada, Andrew Nicholson’s former mount. Oliver took over the ride earlier this year, strangely after the cut off for the change of Nationality of ownership of horses so no matter what his performance he CANNOT compete under the Union Jack.

Finally is an interesting mount ODT Sonas Rovatio, Oliver has him entered next weekend at Luhmuhlen in what I assume is a last ditch effort to gain selection. This horse has four star experience running 6th at Rolex last year. It came 8th in the CIC3* class last weekend at Tatts. Oliver might pull this one out of the bag, we will see after Luhmuhlen.

Lucy Wiegersma has two horses in the running the first is Simon Porloe a 12 year old gelding who has been in great form for the last 12 months, the problem I see is previous to that this horse had a real consistency problem only finishing half of the time. To me this horse is a big risk for an Olympic competition.

Lucy’s second horse Granntevka Prince also presents a conundrum for selectors. They recently made the trip to Rolex in April and unfortunately Lucy had a fall on XC, so they came home incomplete. Prior to that they had been a pretty consistent team with the occasional blemish on XC but lots of top ten finishes. Lucy will be out on Granntevka this weekend at Bramham CCI3* (Simon Porloe is in the CIC3* class too) to prove to selectors that Kentucky was an unlucky blip and that they are worthy of selection.

Nicola Wilson is the final name on the official list, Nicola theoretically has three horses in the running including her long time partner Opposition Buzz. This pair will be running in the CIC3* class where many Olympic hopefuls from around the world will be competing. A good performance will once again see this pair representing their Nation.

There are two more names not on the list I would like to examine, the first is Zara Phillips, we all know Zara and being a former world champ we should at least look at where she is in the running. The second is Laura Collett, a young rider with a profile that is building. So firstly Zara, what rides does she have at the moment?

Zara really only has one prospect for London the Irish Sport Horse High Kingdom which she finished in 10th place on at Burghley last year. Zara is rolling the dice with High Kingdom at Luhmuhlen next weekend. They have had plenty of top 10 finishes as a pair and apart from a couple of earlier incompletes they look great. I guess the question to be answered next weekend is simply are they a London or a Normandy pair?

Finally, Laura Collett has been creating a buzz lately, not the least for the shoot she did with her pony painted from head to toe in the Union Jack. Laura and Rayef have had a roller coaster ride in the last two years with peaks including a lot of top ten finishes, including a notable 8th at Badminton (Laura was 21 then) and lows which include most recently an “E” at Saumur just a couple of weeks ago. They are competing at Bramham this weekend in the CIC3*.

Laura’s other mount Noble Bestman is much more consistent than Rayef, however despite the fact the horse completed Burghley last year I don’t think it yet has the miles for an Olympic horse. I believe that Laura will miss out on competing at her home Olympics but I see a bright future for the 22 year old.

Anyhow, now that I have finally put pen to paper, things will change, I always make mistakes, which will be pointed out in the comments below and of course many people just say I am plain crazy. Here is my British Olympic Eventing Team.

William Fox-Pitt – Parklane Hawk
Piggy French – DHI Topper W
Mary King – Kings Temptress
Nicola Wilson – Opposition Buzz
Tina Cook – Miners Frolic

If anything goes wrong with any of these pairs, then the UK has three top class alternatives in Lucy Wiegersma – Granntevka Prince,  Zara Phillips – High Kingdom and Oliver Townend – ODT Sonas Rovatio.

We will see. Thank you for bearing with me throughout this series, I didn’t expect it to be so epic. Only a few short weeks til the games and we will see how accurate I was, I am hoping better than 50% for all teams.

Yours in Eventing,

ESJ

Megan Jones & Allofasudden get a firm hold on their ticket to London

Megan Jones & Kirby Park Allofasudden, image by ESJ Photo Megan Jones & Kirby Park Allofasudden, image by ESJ Photo
Megan Jones & Kirby Park Allofasudden

Megan Jones & Kirby Park Allofasudden, image by ESJ Photo

Well, this year’s Eventing Equestriad has been run and won. The top four pairs had less than a rail between them so the show jumping was tense, when the fourth placed Christine Bates with Adelaide Hill entered the arena only one combination had gone clear, Alex Townsend with Parodie.

Christine Bates and Adelaide Hill, finished in fourth place

Christine Bates and Adelaide Hill, finished in fourth place, image by ESJ Photo

Unfortunately Christine dropped a rail which allowed them the hold at least fourth place, then John Twomey (the smiling assassin) entered the ring on Wade Equine Highly Recommended. This pair looked faultless on the cross country only two hours earlier and completed a picture perfect fast round, 14 seconds under time on a course where there were plenty of time faults. John was just 0.1 behind the second placed Megan Jones on Kirby Park Allofasudden and 2.7 behind the leader Shane Rose on Statford Neo.

Tallara Barwick and Chief Justice

Tallara Barwick and Chief Justice, image by ESJ Photo

Megan Jones is a jumping machine and also provided a perfect round, never even looking like they were going to drop a rail. Finally the leader, and one of the key organisers behind the event, Shane Rose entered the ring on Statford Neo. Neo is still quite green and throughout the first part of the course Shane rode him on beautiful lines and they looked so clean.

Shane Rose and Statford Neo

Shane Rose and Statford Neo, image by ESJ Photo

Unfortunately Neo’s inexperience showed in the treble and they picked up a single rail dropping them to third place. Shane was very pleased with Neo’s performance and is looking forward to a bright future on this young horse.

Tim Boland & GV Billy Elliot, overnight leaders but unfortunately a stop on XC

Tim Boland & GV Billy Elliot, overnight leaders but unfortunately a stop on XC, image by ESJ Photo

So the winner was Megan Jones and Kirby Park Allofasudden who added just 3.2 time to their dressage score. John Twomey and Wade Equine Highly Recommended finished just 0.1 behind and were the only combination to finish on their dressage score with the only cross country round under time.

John Twomey (the smiling assassin) & Wade Equine Highly Recommended

John Twomey (the smiling assassin) & Wade Equine Highly Recommended, image by ESJ Photo

It was a fabulous event, 630 entries were received and about 600 horses took part, for such a big event (especially by Aussie standards) it ran like clockwork. I based myself out of the scorers office and I commented at the end of the weekend it was the most stress free scoring room I had ever experienced. Congratulation to all of the combinations who competed, to all of the massive number of volunteers that helped make the event possible you  were awesome, and to the committee, Eventing Equestriad is a BRILLIANT event.

Nat Blundell & Algebra, climbing the long hill

Nat Blundell & Algebra, climbing the long hill, image by ESJ Photo

There are a number of implications to come out of this weekend and the concurrent event being held at Houghton in the UK. I will be back in a couple of days to reflect on what this may mean for the Aussie Olympic team. I will leave with only one comment, I think that Megan and Allofasudden will be on the plane.

Full results are here for all of the classes.

Here is a video of the day one action.

Yours in Eventing

 

ESJ, many more pics on my website esjphoto.com.au

Tim Boland adds to the headache currently facing Aussie selectors

Shane Rose and the expressive APH Moritz, image by ESJ Photo Shane Rose and the expressive APH Moritz, image by ESJ Photo
Tim Boland & GV Billy Elliot

Tim Boland & GV Billy Elliot, image by ESJ Photo

As day one of the Eventing Equestriad at Camden’s Bicentennial Park draws to a close, Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliot lead the field. Tim  and Billy are a full 4.8 penalties in front of the second placed Lauren Balcomb who led for much of the morning. Behind Lauren are most of Tim’s rival competitors for a coveted spot on the Aussie Olympic team.

The top ten line up as it stands after dressage is

Tim Boland – GV Billy Elliot 41.6 #
Lauren Balcomb – Kootamootoo 46.5
Christine Bates – Adelaide  Hill 48.6 #
Shane Rose – Statford Neo 49.5 *
Christine Bates – Delago 50.1 *
Megan Jones – Kirby Park Allofasudden 50.1 #
Stuart Tinney – Panamera 51.0 #
Shane Rose – APH Moritz  51.3 *
Craig Barrett – Wendela Jamie 51.6 #
John Twomey – Wade Equine Highly Recommended 53.4

All combinations with a # are directly in the running for selection for London, in fact the only other pair competing this weekend also in the running is Nat Blundell & Algebra who lie in 13th place on 58.2. The riders with * are in the hunt for selection on different mounts. Shows how competitive the Aussie selection process is.

However, I have been assured that Aussie team selection is based purely on CCI results, not CICs as this event is, that said three of the four members of the Aussie selection team are on hand this weekend as is the National Vet. So you tell me that the riders aren’t out there trying to influence selectors.

Lauren Balcomb & Kootamootoo

Lauren Balcomb & Kootamootoo, image by ESJ Photo

Given the obvious class of the field it was great to see young rider Lauren Balcomb come in so strong and pull such a nice test. We had 31 starters in the CIC3* class today with a few ruled out in the last couple of days including one of my favourites Emma Scott and Mustang. I haven’t caught up with Emma today, hopefully tomorrow to see why they are MIA.

In all nearly 600 dressage tests were performed in 7 height classes, from the babies at 2 feet to the three star. About half of the horses jumped today also with 200 odd also doing XC. We still have a lot of action tomorrow with a full day of XC and jumping. Tomorrow I won’t be chained to a dressage ring so hopefully there will be much more variety in my shots.

Shane Rose and the expressive APH Moritz

Shane Rose and the expressive APH Moritz, image by ESJ Photo

Full results are here, its 9pm, I have been up since 3:40am so I think it is time for bed.

Yours in Eventing

 

ESJ

 

Aussie Eventing at its finest

Stuart Tinney & Panamera Winners Adelaide CCI4* 2011 | Image by ESJ Photo Stuart Tinney & Panamera Winners Adelaide CCI4* 2011 | Image by ESJ Photo
Stuart Tinney & Panamera

Stuart Tinney & Panamera Winners Adelaide CCI4* 2011 | Image by ESJ Photo

This weekend sees one of Australia’s best events happening the Eventing Equestriad at Camden. This relatively new event (only a few years old) has quickly become a favourite for Eventers from around Australia. There are 600 combinations entered which is huge (by comparison a big event normally will get say 450 combos). Not only are there a huge number of entries but the Olympic selection process in Australia is getting hot.

By my count there are seven riders competing who are still in the hunt for an Olympic birth, of those only one, Shane Rose is resting his number one horse Taurus. Shane will be riding APH Moritz and Statford Neo. Taurus is having a break but I expect to see him along with almost all the other combinations at Melbourne in two weeks for the final selection run.

We will see the return of Panamera, the winner of last year’s CCI4* class at Adelaide. Panamera’s four star win in November almost guaranteed her and Stuart Tinney a spot on the plane and this weekend will be interesting as the other pairs line up to prove they are just as good, if not better.

Emma Scott & Mustang

Emma Scott & Mustang at Sydney | Image by ESJ Photo

Still in the selection hunt are:

Stuart Tinney – Panamera (Stuart will also be running Orchard Hill)
Christine Bates – Adelaide Hill (Christine will also be running Delago)
Megan Jones – Kirby Park Allofasudden
Natalie Blundell – Algebra
Emma Scott – Mustang
Tim Boland – GV Billy Elliot
Shane Rose – Statford Neo & APH Moritz
Craig Barrett – Wendela Jamie

There are two names not on the list they are Emma Mason & F1 Pharinelli, and Sonja Johnson & Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison.  I am not sure why Emma is resting F1.  I am not surprised Sonja didn’t make the trek over from Western Australia, given the distance and the fact that Sonja runs the sheep station back home with her family. I am sure Sonja will be in Melbourne. While this weekend is a CIC and NOT officially a selection event as you can see most are the runners are there and three of the four selectors will be present.

The selection for the Aussie team is still WIDE OPEN, especially given the results in Saumur last weekend, Chris “Burto” Burton finishing 1st & 2nd, Bill Levitt 5th & 6th and Paul “Tappers” Tapner coming in 13th & 14th will give the selectors some real headaches, as will the injuries sustained by Clayton Fredericks in his fall. The latest word on Clayton from Team Fredericks is that they hope he will be home by the weekend. Lets hope Clayton makes a speedy recovery.

Nat Blundell & Algebra

Nat Blundell & Algebra at Sydney | Image by ESJ Photo

Well it will be a VERY exciting weekend with competition from CIC3* to EVA 60cm (2 feet), 600 pairs, family activities including face painting & kids rides, a restaurant-quality meal in the VIP tent and so much more. I will be there all weekend and will provide a daily wrap.

Until then have a great week, yours in Eventing.

 

ESJ

Check more of my Eventing pics at esjphoto.com.au

ESJ’s second last team – The Germans

Michael & Sam

Michael Jung GER riding La Biosthetique-Sam FBW, at the HSBC FEI World Cup Final Stezegom, Poland 2010, Photo with thanks to Kit Houghton, FEI

So here we are, we are on the second last team of ESJ’s Olympic team picks, this time we look at an equestrian powerhouse: the Germans. There is no doubt that at the end of the show jumping in Greenwich park the German team will be in the mix. They are good, some of the best without a doubt, not because of some special superpowers, or even brilliant breeding in their horses.

No, they train hard, use systems every day and incorporate cross-country fences into training 3-4 times a week, every week. I know each and every person hoping to be there in London trains hard, I have no doubt at all. I believe simply that their systems and the fantastic national training centre they have at Warendorf give the Germans an edge. That said, nobody is infallible and we are talking horses, so we always roll the dice.

Anyhow, after the long lists of the French without horses named, the DOKR (Deutsche Olympiade-Komitee für Reiterei or German Olympic Committee) have produced a very precise and short list with only 11 riders and a few more horses. Much easier for me to contemplate at 4.30am (which is usually when I write these stories).

Some pairs I have never heard of, while others like Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW we all know (as Sam is revered in Eventing circles) so lets start at the top of the list and work through them.

Sandra Auffarth with her mount Opgun Louvo head the list, they finished last year’s Luhmuhlen in second place after adding a rare rail in the jumping. This pair is very consistent, dressage in low 40s or 30s most of the time, they have recorded no XC jumping penalties to date although they do have two incomplete XC rounds. Overall, they do look very good, however the thing that sticks out most to me is, they haven’t recorded an FEI event since August last year where they came second at the European Championships. Perhaps they have been put in cotton wool.  I doubt it, as that isn’t the German style, perhaps an injury I don’t know.

Andreas Dibowski has two mounts on the list, the first FRH Fantasia. This pair have a lot of experience under their belts including three 4* starts winning Pau in 2010, third at Luhmuhlen in the same year and last year heading to Badminton and putting in a credible 19th after pulling two rails in the jumping, they were entered at Badminton this year to try and secure that team spot. Really their performance at Badminton somewhere else will determine whether they make the German team or not, I think they will.

Andreas also has FRH Butts Avedon on the list, this is a less experienced horse only recently making the jump to three star, I don’t believe this horse is up for selection at this stage.

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW are next on the list, after their performance at WEG in Kentucky and the resulting very public ownership stoush, many of us would love to see this pair make a triumphant return, although as an Aussie, I am happy for him not to win the gold. OMG, reading Sam’s FEI event record, I need to go back to September 2008 to find a finish that ISN’T top 3 and that one is fourth, there are a couple of fourths and fifths on the list but I need to go back to April 2006 when as a six year old horse Sam got 16th.

OK here are Sam’s stats. From 35 FEI starts:
14 first places, 40%
8 second places, 23%
5 third places, 14%
2 fourth places, 6%
4 fifth places, 11%

So if Sam is entered at an event, there is a 40% chance he will win, 77% chance of top three, and 94% chance of top five. These stats are over Sam’s whole career, if we just focus on the last three, years, then there is a 100% chance that Sam will medal and 59% chance it will be gold. I know this is only statistics but I doubt a bookie would give you very good odds on a gold. Sam has never picked up a XC obstacle penalty at an FEI event and his worst XC time penalty is 6.4 time. My money is on Sam being on the German team and, wait for it, winning the individual gold medal.

Michael does have a second horse on the list Leopin FST, in all honesty whilst Leopin was entered at Badminton and is on his way to being a solid replacement to Sam, unless Sam is missing a leg there is no way that Leopin will even get a run.

Ingrid Klimke is no stranger to the Olympics with her mount FRH Butts Abraxxas they were part of the gold medal winning German team in Beijing and individually picked up the silver medal also. Over the last four years since the Games they have continued with some fantastic consistency. There was a blip for them with an elimination on XC at Badminton last year, they were not on this year’s Badminton entries and again they haven’t competed at FEI level since Luhmuhlen in August last year. Another question mark for my mind.

Marina Kohncke and Calma Schelly are next on the list, again another pair that haven’t had an FEI run since July last year where they were withdrawn during XC. My guess is while they will be back probably not in time for London if they are not already back on the park.

Kai-Steffen Meier has TSF Karascada M, this pair has a lot of experience with a few four stars under their belt including Badminton in 2009 where they finished 21st on their dressage score of 63. For a German combination I am a little surprised as dressage seems to be their weakest phase with scores in the 50s and 60s par for the course, they tend to be a little slow on XC but are clean and rarely pick up a rail in the jumping. For most other Nations I have reviewed so far they would make the team, for team Germany, lets put them as a maybe, some of their compatriots can score 20 less penalties in the dressage. They were entered at Badminton, perhaps there is a chance to make a mark.

Andreas Ostholt has Franco Jeas on the list, this horse is owned by the DOKR another German quirk not replicated in most countries. As a pair this team has a consistency problem, in the last 12 months from 11 starts they have three incomplete XC rounds, another two where they have picked up 20 XC jump penalties, time faults on all completed rounds and an occasional rail on the final day. They are not on my list of German combinations for the team.

Warming up for their dressage

Frank Ostholt and Mr Medicott at WEG 2010, photo by Samantha Clark

Frank Ostholt and Little Paint (so not a German name for a horse), this pair were back in 2011 after a break of over 2 1/2 years, with dressage as low as 34, this pair are one to watch although they are still yet to debut for the 2012 season, they haven’t competed at FEI level since August, Frank was not entered at Badminton, given the horse’s long break and some soundness issues, until they pop back up on the radar it is hard to tell. Maybe.

Dirk Schrade has two horses on the list, the first is King Artus. This pair have only one four star under their belt, Pau in 2009 which they won adding just 1.8 pens to their dressage score, they had a good season in 2011 with all top 10 finishes although only two CCI3* the rest were CIC 2 and 3. This pair looks like real action and I would take them on my German team. They were set to run at Badminton.

Dirk’s other ride is Hop and Skip, this horse was acquired for Dirk last year when he took over the ride from Kenki Sato of Japan. This horse is a little greener than King Artus and I would take the more experienced horse at this stage.

Peter Thomsen has two mounts on the list, the first is Horseware’s Barny, this 10 year old gelding is still a little green with only a year of 3* competition under its belt and yet to attempt a four star. XC time is an issue but this pair is promising, perhaps a combination to watch out for in Normandy but at this stage I don’t think real contenders for London.

Peter’s second mount is Horseware’s Parko (no guesses on who his number one sponsor is), this 12 year old gelding has two four star events under its belt with commendable 16th and 10th results. This pair are regular features in the top ten, although they are yet to pop up on the radar for 2012 with their last recorded FEI event in October a sixth place at Boekelo. Definitely a maybe.

The second last rider on the list is Anna Warnecke with Twinkle Bee who has an impressive eight 4* starts since 2008 and was on the starting list for Badminton. The early part of their four star career is not so flashy with only one finish from their first four starts. However in the 2010 and 11 seasons they have a 11th & 9th at Burghley, 43rd at Badminton and 15th at Luhmuhlen. I have no doubt Anna wanted to do Badminton to shake off her hoodoo and prove to selectors she is worthy. I expect a good showing somewhere and for this pair to make the German team.

Benjamin Winters is the last rider on the list with Wild Thing Z, Benjamin is a young rising star for the German team, he and wild thing have made the jump to three star in 2010 and are still building up experience with some impressive results including 13th at the European champs last year. This pair is yet to contest four star and I believe there is sufficient depth in the German team not to rush this pair to London. In Normandy, they will be real contenders.

So I guess I need to pick my German team. Lets start with the easy ones;

Michael Jung – La Biosthetique-Sam FBW
Andreas Dibowski – FRH Fantasia
Anna Warnecke – Twinkle Be
Sandra Auffarth – Opgun Louv (if fit, the lack of 2012 result has me in the dark)
Dirk Schrade – King Artus

That’s my team with the information I have available today, there are always but’s, for instance if Ingrid Klimke and FRH Butts Abraxxas were on the radar more recently than August last year I would probably pick them. Peter Thomsen and Horseware’s Parko are banging on the door and could be on the team too. Fitness is always a question but there you have it my German team, fire away.

Yours in Eventing.

 

ESJ

 

BREAKING: Badminton is CANCELLED

There was a rumour earlier today that Badminton Horse Trials may be cancelled, it has just been officially confirmed by the Badminton team.

There has been severe rain leading to quite heavy water logging across the whole Badminton Estate.

Here is the Official notice from Badminton, their website is currently being smashed I only got through after trying a number of times.

Check out this pic from one of the preparation crew Nick Chubb @NickChubb.

I am sure as the rest of the EN team wake up in the USA, there will be more news.

Until then, yours in Eventing,

ESJ

Shane Rose does it again at the Sydney CCI3*

Shane Rose & Taurus Shane Rose & Taurus

 

Shane Rose & Taurus

There was tension in the air as Shane Rose and Taurus entered the arena with two rails up their sleeve. This pair have had a rocky history with show jumping, after a round in Adelaide which Shane would rather forget after dropping four rails going from first to fifth. Today, he was out for redemption and a spot on the Aussie squad heading to London.

After dropping a rail early in the course the tension was on and after dropping the third to last they had no more room for error, Shane focused and jumped the last two clean to keep the lead. Earlier Emma Scott had dropped a rail to slip into third spot from third, while Megan Jones also dropped a rail moving into fifth spot on the VERY crowded leader board.

GV Billy Elliot

Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliot had a clear round bolting from sixth place second proving once again that a clear show jumping round can mean all the difference. Rounding out the top five is Emma Mason and F1 Pharinelli who also jumped clear to stay in and forth place.

The top five finished like this:

Shane Rose – Taurus 48.6
Tim Boland – GV Billy Elliot 50.2
Emma Scott – Mustang 50.4
Emma Mason – F1 Pharinelli 50.4
Megan Jones – Kirby Park Allofasudden 50.6

Final Results are here. I don’t really think this weekend has done anything to help the Aussie selectors as there are still many unanswered questions from most of the combinations in contention. Melbourne is on the first weekend of June and may help firm up the team. In the meantime selection is anyone’s guess.

I will leave you with some pics from the jumping.

Yours in Eventing,

ESJ

Sydney Trot Up – All Through

Good morning EN, I hear you had an eventful day at Rolex, well it has been slightly less interesting here in Sydney, although we have sorted out the scoring issue that remained last night. Megan Jones’ time was adjusted from the clearly incorrect time on course of 9:34 to 10:18, giving her 2.4 time and dropping her just 0.2 behind Emma Scott.

The leader board going into the jumping phase is as follows:

Shane Rose – Taurus 40.6
Emma Scott – Mustang 46.4
Megan Jones – Kirby Park Allofasudden 46.6
Emma Mason – F1 Pharinelli 48.4
Stuart Tinney – Pluto Mio 49.4

All horses passed the trot up without incident and the jumping is due to start at 1:30pm today (that is about 11:30pm in the Eastern US States).

I caught up with Prue Barrett after the trot for her thoughts to date.

I also caught up with overnight leader Shane Rose.

I leave you with a few pics from the trot.

Yours in Eventing,

ESJ

 

XC Day at Sydney CCI3* in Pics

Megan Jones and her 1* mount Kirby Park Irish Empress in the lead on their dressage score in the CIC1* Megan Jones and her 1* mount Kirby Park Irish Empress in the lead on their dressage score in the CIC1*

Nat Blundell & Algebra

It is 9pm Sydney time and the website is still showing provisional results, although it now shows the top three as follows.
Shane Rose 40.6
Emma Scott 46.4
Megan Jones 46.6
Emma Mason 48.4
Stuart Tinney 49.4

I am about to go to bed but thought I would leave you with some of my favourite pics from the day.

I will see you all tomorrow with an update.

Yours in Eventing,

ESJ

 

Rose, Rose and more Rose

Shane Rose & Taurus, leading after XC on 40.6 Shane Rose & Taurus, leading after XC on 40.6

Shane Rose & Taurus, leading after XC on 40.6

Shane Rose (still on 40.6) has proven again that he is unbeatable on cross country, with a picture perfect round exactly on the optimum time of 10 mins and 12 seconds, he was one of three riders to finish on optimum time, Emma Scott and Christine Bates also achieving this feat.

Only six of the eighteen starters finished without penalty, it was an uneventful class with only two rounds incomplete. Murray Lamperd and Under the Clocks crashed out rather spectacularly at the skinny barrel fence 22. Both horse and rider were fine walking home.

Emma Scott & Mustang, finished on 46.4 after XC, photo by John Lechner

One other rider didn’t make it home, Delwyn Ogilvy had a bad day with a stop at fence three and then retiring at fence six. Craig Barrett withdrew Wendela Jamie before the start of cross country taking caution on his younger mount. Only one cross country fence penalty was recorded, Andrew Cooper and Guest of Honour at fence 26 which was the angled log approaching the water.

The top end of the leader board is tight with Shane clear of Megan Jones by 3.6 time meaning he doesn’t have any room for error, Megan on 44.2 will undoubtedly put the pressure on Shane tomorrow. Just behind Megan is Emma Scott who looked brilliant on the course with her mount Mustang. Emma is over the moon with their result so far this weekend and looking forward to keeping the top two on their toes.

Megan Jones and Kirby Park Allofasudden in second place on 44.2, photo by John Lechner

Emma Mason (49.2) moved up one spot into forth spot adding only 1.6 time penalties to her dressage score, Emma looked like she was on a mission barely taking a pull when she passed me on course. Topping out the top five is Stuart Tinney with 49.4 who was the first to make time on course. It was great to see them under time as Pluto Mio isn’t known for being fast on course and the word around the paddock was that Stuart was focusing on a clean round not a fast round.

Emma Mason & F1 Pharinelli finished on 49.2, photo by John Lechner

Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliot had a great round adding just 7.2 time to their dressage score to stay in touch with the leaders on 51.0. The top ten is tight and tomorrow’s John Vallance designed course will provide lots of action especially with the jumping being held in the SIEC indoor which is very small for a jumping course and always changes the dynamic of the rounds.

Tim Boland and Billy Elliot, finished on 51.0 after XC, photo by John Lechner

Full results are here. I will be back later with some more pics.

Finally, I caught up with Mike ES after XC this is our discussion.

There is some contention about the results at this stage (5:41pm), the latest I have is that Megan Jones has dropped to 3rd place after picking up 2.4 time penalties, lifting Emma Scott into second place. This is still provisional, hopefully it will be resolved soon.

Yours in Eventing,

ESJ

Rose in the lead again after dressage in Sydney

Shane Rose and Taurus, overnight leaders on 40.6, photo by John Lechner Shane Rose and Taurus, overnight leaders on 40.6, photo by John Lechner

Shane Rose and Taurus, overnight leaders on 40.6, photo by John Lechner

Another week and another event with Shane Rose in the lead. There was little doubt in the minds of anyone watching that Shane would go to the lead. His test was more polished than the rest of the field. Shane and Taurus are on a mission, that mission is simple, make it on the plane to London in July.

Shane and the rest of the Olympic hopefuls here this weekend all know that when this event is over if they are in the top five, they have a chance of being on the plane, almost none without it. It would be a brave group of selectors that would ignore the winner this weekend.

Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliot in second place after dressage, photo by John Lechner

Hot on Shane’s heals is Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliot with a nice test of 43.8, which I know was not their best, this pair is capable of a sub forty result, tension and the prospect of Olympic selection ensured that a few combinations did not achieve their best today.

Megan Jones and Kirby Park Allofasudden looked good and will be very competitive tomorrow with 44.2. Megan is a tough competitor and I know that she will be picking apart her test tonight, making notes to ensure next time is better.

Megan Jones and Kirby Park Allofasudden, in 3rd place on 44.2, photo by John Lechner

The most inspiring performance in the dressage today goes to Emma Scott and Mustang, they pulled off a brilliant test to be  hot on the heals of Megan and the top three with 46.2. Emma was absolutely stoked with Mustang and will be out to prove that she also deserves a spot on the plane to London. Emma and Mustang are rising stars with plenty of potential for the Aussie team both for London and Normandy in 2014.

A very happy Emma Scott and Mustang in 4th place after Dressage on 46.4, photo by John Lechner

After walking Mike Etherington-Smith’s new cross country course this morning I can tell you categorically that the leader board will be different tomorrow afternoon. The course is a tough 5815m with a lot of terrain and new factor for Sydney , lots of narrow lanes, the course holds no tricks but provides no free rides, especially for the horse that decides to be dishonest.

That’s it for tonight, I will be back tomorrow bringing you more action live from Sydney, if you want regular updates, follow me on Twitter @johnvacy. Full results here.

Yours in Eventing,

 

ESJ

 

Sydney CCI3* Three Day – XC Fence by Fence

Sydney CCI3* 2012 Start Box, photo by John Lechner

Eventing Nation brief turns to Australia for a glance at another three-day course this weekend.  Here is the lovely new three star track at the Sydney CCI3*, designed by Mike Etherington Smith. I had lovely walk around the course with Christine Bates who is showing few signs of her close encounter with the Kihikihi ground. It promises to be an interesting weekend.

Dressage starts after lunch.

Yours in Eventing,

ESJ

Sydney CCI3* 2012 Fence 1, photo by John Lechner

 

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Sydney CCI3* Three Day Preview

Shane Rose and Taurus winners of the Kihikihi CIC3* Trans Tasman,  photo by John Lechner Shane Rose and Taurus winners of the Kihikihi CIC3* Trans Tasman, photo by John Lechner
Victorious in NZ, now back on home soil for Aussie team selection for London 2012

Shane Rose and Taurus winners of the Kihikihi CIC3* Trans Tasman, photo by John Lechner

Later this week, while all eyes in North America will be firmly fixed on Lexington Kentucky, Aussie eyes will be firmly planted in Sydney where the cream of Australia’s locally based competitors will be going head to head to fight for a spot on the Aussie London team.

ESJ will be there all weekend giving you the updates and keeping you in touch with the action happening on the brand new six kilometre Mike Etherington-Smith cross country course. In reality of the 20 combinations entered [PDF] in the three star CCI class, half of them have a real hope of being on the plane to London in a few short weeks.

Christine will be riding her number one mount Adelaide Hill at Sydney and hoping for selection.

Christine Bates, with game face on & Delago at Kihikihi CIC3* Trans Tasman, photo by John Lechner

Fresh from his win in Kihikihi, Shane Rose will be lining up on Taurus aiming for back to back wins to secure his spot on the Aussie team, he will be facing off against two of his Kihikihi team mates Natalie Blundell with Algebra and Christine Bates (whose face is healing nicely) on her number one mount Adelaide Hill.

Nat and Algebra have a point to prove and hope to be on the Aussie London team

Natalie Blundell and Algebra in Kihikihi CIC3* Trans Tasman, photo by John Lechner

Other contenders include Beijing silver medalists Sonja Johnson who has two mounts the Aussie Stock Horse Belfast Mojito and the flashy thoroughbred Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison, alongside Megan Jones and Kirby Park Allofasudden.

Going back to my Aussie team I picked Stuart Tinney and his Adelaide winning mare Panamera and said they would be the only combination given a free pass (i.e. not have to run a three star CCI before London) and it seems my prediction holds true as they are a notable exception missing from the entries. Instead Stuart is lining up on Pluto Mio a ride he picked up last year from Katja Weimann.

Stuart and Panamera, are not competing at Sydney, don't need to in my opinion.

Stuart Tinney and Panamera, winners of the Adelaide CCI4* last year, photo by John Lechner

Another member of my team for London was Emma Mason and F1 Pharinelli, they line up this weekend to shrug off any concern that they are competitive enough and prove to the doubters that F1 is sound enough to be part of the Aussie team.

Finally, there is a group of riders nipping at the heels of these guys hoping to pull off a big win in front of the selectors to get them on the training squad, this includes Craig Barrett who has both Sandhills Brillaire and Wendela Jamie on the starters list, and Tim Boland with the beautiful GV Billy Elliot will be out for blood following their disastrous event at Albury a few weeks ago.

Tim and Billy Elliot are making a last minute bid for selection at Sydney this weekend.

Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliot at Adelaide CCI4* last year, photo by John Lechner

The last dark horse I see on the entries is former team selector Seamas Marwood, who dropped offf the selection panel last year in the hope of being selected to ride for his Nation. I wish all the potential team members good luck and hope that you, the EN audience, enjoy my coverage, that is if you can find it amongst the coverage from the huge EN team that will be covering Rolex.

Two big events on just one weekend, I don’t think you will be suffering from a lack of Eventing this weekend, just possibly a lack of sleep as you try and keep up with it all. I would like to give a big shout-out to Kadi Eykamp the sole Aussie competitor this year at Rolex on Double Rivers Dillon. Kadi will be working her hardest to make the Aussie selectors sit up and notice her going full-tilt on the other side of the Pacific, good luck Kadi.

Stock up on sleep, you are going to need it.

Yours in Eventing,

ESJ

ESJ’s London picks Part 5: The French

Pascal Leroy and Minos de Petra at Badminton 2011, photo by Samantha Clark

Pascal Leroy and Minos de Petra at Badminton 2011, photo by Samantha Clark

 

OK, here it goes, the French, the Frogs. I thought picking the Aussies was tough, this French list has more names that are unpronounceable for this Aussie bloke, a VERY long B list and was a tough pick, basically because very few combinations picked themselves. Overall, I had to comb and re-comb the lists to finalise my team.

 

So we start with the Elite list which interestingly lists only rider names but not horses. So combinations need to be selected. The first rider on the elite list is Stanislas De Zuchowicz who has the mount Quirinal De La Bastide ENE HN, still with me? This pair have run at Rolex twice as well as WEG, overall good dressage and generally nice XC, but they do pull 1-2 rails regularly. Surprisingly they have never run a four star on their side of the Atlantic. At this stage, they make the team.

 

Pascal Leroy is the next rider on the list and he has two horses at four star level, Glenburny Du Leou and Minos De Petra, both horses have competed at four star level although with mixed results. Glenburny has two incomplete XCs from the last four starts at the 4* level, the other two results were a respectable 24th at Pau and 11th at Luhmuhlen. Both results included at least one rail, this 18 year old horse is probably not worth the risk around Greenwich Park. Minos retired on XC at Pau late last year but earlier in the year managed a respectable 22nd at Badminton with 2 rails. At WEG in Kentucky this horse managed to only add 3 jumping time penalties to its dressage score. To me this is the pick of Pascal’s horses although I do have concerns, its results are scattered with 2-4 rails in the jumping and they were eliminated at the Euro Champs last year at Luhmuhlen. Lets say at this stage that Pascal and Minos are a maybe, they are entered and accepted at Badminton.

 

Next on the Elite list is Donatien Schauly and his one horse, Ocarina Du Chanois at the CCI3* level. This 10 year old bay gelding is qualified to run 4* but is yet to be tested. However its results to date are impressive, top 10 finishes in all FEI class starts, usually on its dressage score in the low 40s. At the Euro Champs last year in Luhmuhlen they finished 6th on their dressage score and in 2010 they won Boekelo with their dressage score plus 4 XC time faults. This pair are impressive and despite being untested at four star level I would pick them.

 

Nicolas Touzaint is no stranger to the elite level of competition and he has three potential mounts for London; to be honest, Nicolas is a class rider and has been the backbone of the French team for a number of years now. Hidalgo De L’ile is a 17 year old bay gelding who is at the end of its career. I get the feeling Nicholas is keeping this horse ticking over, it was 5th at Pau last year, was 4th at Rolex in 2009 and won Badminton in 2008. This horse is only doing one big event each year. Nicholas is waiting for one of his youngsters to step up to the plate in my opinion. I would take Hidalgo to London, but only if either of the other two aren’t up to it yet.

 

Pepsy Du Thil is a 9 year old Anglo Arab grey gelding, this horse is untested at CCI3* let alone 4*, we will see this horse at Normandy in two years time. That leaves Neptune De Sartene, an 11 year old bay gelding that is qualified but yet to be tested at four star. This horse is capable of low 40s dressage, clean XC and jumping. It finished 8th at last years Euro Champs. Honestly, I think we will see this horse run in the spring, most likely at Badminton (NOTE, he is not on the accepted or wait list for Badminton), if he performs as he should then Neptune will be Nicolas’ mount for London, if not, the old man of the herd Hidalgo will have his swan song at London.

 

That finishes out the Elite list for the French, next we move on to the Seniors list of which there are 15 riders named, again with no mounts. While I have examined all 15 as part of my research I will not go through them individually but go through the highlights, the full list is here on page 14.

 

The first combination on the Seniors list that are a maybe in my opinion are Didier Dhennin and Opi De Saint Leo. This 10 year old chestnut gelding looks quite promising but only has one CCI3* under its belt so far a 13th at Boekelo adding just 8 time to their dressage score. This pair will need to pull off a major spring result to be considered for London. They are not entered for Badminton, although they probably wouldn’t be considered given their lack of experience. Perhaps Luhmuhlen in June, we will have to see.

 

A pair that does have four star experience finishing 20th at last year’s Pau is Karin Florent and Chicago Van’t Zonneveld, that said their dressage isn’t so hot but they have finished top 20 in all 3 & 4 star starts so they need to be on the list of maybes.

 

Edouard Legendre and Lanacan are interesting, as a pair they have completed three 4* events, Pau 16th & 34th and Luhmuhlen 25th, but they almost always pick up significant time penalties or a bunch of rails, at Pau last year they had six. They are not on the entry list for Badminton and I don’t believe we will see them on the French team this year.

 

Denis Mesples and the promising young horse Oregon De La Vigne, this pair have shown some potential although it really hasn’t shown up in placings as yet. Their dressage still needs work but they are capable of a clear if slow XC round. They do have an issue in the jumping with one rail almost par for the course and on a bad day, four rails. They are on the wait list for Badminton but number 26 at this stage so it is unlikely they will get a run. In all this pair need more experience and to be more consistent before representing their nation.

 

Astier Nicholas (yes Astier is his first name, I checked) and the unpronounceable Jhakti Du Jaulie have stepped up to four star last year. Prior to their four star move they were regular (almost always) finishers in the top 10. They tackled both Pau and Luhmuhlen last year and having a stop on XC at each. This pair and this young rider Astier are ones to watch, Astier is only 22 so has a long way to go in the sport and if he makes it to Badminton (they are no 11 on the wait list so it is possible) they may assert themselves for the French team. I am one for ensuring that at least one up and coming star is blooded on a major games team each time. Astier is my pick of the younger French riders.

 

Eddie Sans is a familier name to many eventers as he has competed at Burghley the last two years. He has two 4* horses, Mayland Du Brunel and Kramique. Both horses are veterans at four star level with Mayland having had five 4* starts despite being only 12. Kramique on the other hand had two 4* starts last year and neither was particularly spectacular with final scores well over 100 penalties. Mayland had a bad season at the 4* level last year with an incomplete at Burghley and then 124.2 at Pau just five weeks later. Mayland is wait listed for Badminton but in no 22 spot, I doubt they will make the cut. This pair have enough experience but I don’t believe have the results to warrant selection for the French team.

 

OK we are almost there, I told you it was a VERY long B list, two more riders to go.

 

Jean Tealere and Matelot Du Grand Val at Badminton 2011, photo by and with enormous thanks to Samantha Clark.

Jean Teulere and Matelot Du Grand Val at Badminton 2011, photo by and with enormous thanks to Samantha Clark.

 

Jean Teulere and Matelot Du Grand Val, this 12 year old gelding now has three 4* results under his belt and is entered and accepted for Badminton. While their results haven’t been perfect a 5th at Pau in 2010 and 14th last year are promising. This pair will be aiming to improve on last year’s 37th at Badminton when they line up in a few weeks. If only they can remove their perpetual two rails in the jumping and their results will be really competitive. I am putting this pair on my team.

 

Finally we have Eric Vigeanel who has two 4* horses Maranello and Kalin De Burgo, to be honest both horses are risky options for any national team, they have far to many “E”s in their results to be considered in my opinion.

 

So we have got to the end of the list, who is the team? To be honest I am not sure, lets run through them.

 

Stanislas De Zuchowicz – Quirinal De La Bastide ENE HN
Donatien Schauly – Ocarina Du Chanois
Pascal Leroy – Minos De Petra
Nicolas Touzaint – Neptune De Sartene or Hildago
Karin Florent and Chicago Van’t Zonneveld
Astier Nicholas – Jhakti Du Jaulie
Jean Teulere – Matelot Du Grand Val

 

These are my top seven, if all are fit and able to compete, I would put Karin Florent and Astier Nicholas as my reserves, it is a toss of the coin as to which you would take if one of the other five dropped out. Both have assets and reasons to be on the team.

 

Thanks again for wading through my ramblings.

 

Yours in Eventing,
ESJ

Aussies and Shane Rose victorious in Kihikihi New Zealand

Formation victory lap for the Aussies Shane, Nat & Katja Formation victory lap for the Aussies Shane, Nat & Katja
Formation victory lap for the Aussies Shane, Nat & Katja

Formation victory lap for the Aussies Shane, Nat & Katja

The Aussie Team, led from start to finish in Kihikihi New Zealand for the annual Trans Tasman competition. Shane Rose who was riding his Olympic hopeful mount Taurus added only 6.2 penalties to his dressage score to finish well ahead of Kiwi rider Joe Waldron (who is based in Australia).

Today included some great news for the Aussie team as Christine Bates returned to the grounds after visiting the hospital following a fall on cross country  yesterday.

Christine Bates, Phantom of the Opera style

Christine Bates, Phantom of the Opera style

The final team scores were Australia 240.8 and New Zealand 306.2 penalties. Both teams had only three of their four finish and picked up 40 XC jump pens but in the end the more polished dressage from the Aussies and faster cross country paid off.

Australia has picked up some respect again after the drubbing they received in Blenheim from both the Kiwi and Japanese teams. In three weeks the top home based riders for Australia will assemble in Sydney for the three day event on the new Mike ES course. Each of our top home based riders will be vying for an opportunity to be on the London team for Australia.

Well team EN, it has been fun and intense, I know I haven’t written many words but I leave you with these pictures. Full results are here.

Shane Rose & Taurus winners of the Kihikihi CIC3* class

Shane Rose & Taurus winners of the Kihikihi CIC3* class

Joe Waldron & Springdale All Black 2nd in the CIC3*

Joe Waldron & Springdale All Black 2nd in the CIC3*

Happy Nat Blundell after finishing third

Happy Nat Blundell after finishing third

Prue Barrett Aussie Coach & Chef with Jean Johnstone Kiwi Chef

Prue Barrett Aussie Coach & Chef with Jean Johnstone Kiwi Chef

Joe Waldron (2nd), Shane Rose (1st) & Nat Blundell (3rd)

Joe Waldron (2nd), Shane Rose (1st) & Nat Blundell (3rd)

The successful Aussie Team

The successful Aussie Team

Yours in Eventing,

ESJ

Shane Rose and Team Australia retain lead after XC in Kihikihi

Overnight leaders Shane Rose and Taurus

Overnight leaders Shane Rose and Taurus

John Nicholson has certainly lived up to his reputation for building big tough XC courses, today was definitely no exception with five pairs failing to complete. The Aussie Team started today as favourites and in the lead by a comfortable 40 penalties but by days end, although the scoreboard looks similar the feeling is not quite the same. Three Aussie pairs completed with Shane Rose the only one to have no jumping penalties. Time was almost impossible and Shane gave it a good go picking up just 5.2 time in the day’s fastest round. Unfortunately teammate Christine Bates had a big fall at fence 3 and is in hospital tonight being treated for a concussion. Christine’s ride Delago was un-injured in the fall. The Kiwi team also had a mixed day with three pairs coming home, Joe Waldron was the best of the bunch and now lies in second place on 70.2 a full 17.4 behind Shane’s 52.8 pens. Joe and his lovely black horse looked a picture around the XC with accuracy and pace rewarded by moving up from 6th place.

Joe Waldron & Springvale All Black in second place after XC

Joe Waldron & Springvale All Black in second place after XC

The other members of the Kiwi team were less accurate and Christen Hayde picked up 45.2 pens today to finish on 114.4 and Annabel Wigley added 33.2 to her dressage score to end with 96.6. Unfortuneately Simon Gordon and Simply Mitch had a most ungracious exit from the event with Simon sitting on a fence at the splash. The other Aussies Nat Blundell with Algebra picked up 34.8 pens to be on 88.8 and in 4th while Katja Weimann & BP Gallantry picked up 36.4 pens to finish with 98.2 and drop to 8th place overall.

Natalie Blundell and Algebra at Fence 10C

Natalie Blundell and Algebra at Fence 10C

Katja Weimann & BP Gallantry

Katja Weimann & BP Gallantry

The Aussie team maintain their lead on 239.8 and the Kiwis behind on 281.2 with jumping to come. I have to make special mention of one individual Donna Smith who’s clear round with 22 time puts her into 3rd place on 88 pens for the final day. It has been a big day here in Kihikihi New Zealand.

Yours in Eventing,

ESJ

Kihikihi Horse Trials in NZ day one

The Kihikihi Cicada

The Kihikihi Cicada

Hi Team EN

I’m in New Zealand this weekend for the Trans-Tasman (that is Australia vs New Zealand) competition at the Kihikihi Horse trials. Each day I will bring you a summary of the action as us Aussie try to kick some Kiwi butt. For now, here are some pics from my course walk earlier today. For more on Kihikihi, check out their web page, trot (jog) is later today.

A kiwi fern adorns the rear but this is what the riders see.

This is Fence 11c, it is carved from a single piece of timber, just spectacular.

Pooh Bear and Piglet in the Pooh Pond (splash complex)

Pooh Bear and Piglet in the Pooh Pond (splash complex)

I have to say I haven’t enjoyed walking a cross country course quite so much in a while. The Kihikihi course is just stunning with brilliant attention to detail.

Here it is fence by fence, no words needed.

Yours in Eventing

ESJ