Christine Bates and Adelaide Hill, photo with thanks to Main Event Photography
Eventing Nation, I am in the UK following my week at Burghley for the Blenheim event which I will be covering for EN. I have left the Sydney Three Day in the capable (a bit too good) of Caroline Wardrop, here is her preview.
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From Caroline:
Rolling countryside, historic castles, royalty, lords, ladies and tweed you say? Sorry to disappoint but you’ll have to follow ESJ and Samantha Clark’s stories to get the low down on the big comps in the UK. This coming week I’ll be pulling out my camera and sharpening my writer’s pen to keep you up to date with what’s happening down under at the Sydney International Three Day Event. Here you’ll get a down to earth, tough as guts kind of bunch competing up a storm, trying to prove their worth to win a spot on the Aussie team next year at the London 2012 Olympics.
It’s an interesting time for the Australian selectors, with the national squads top-heavy with overseas-based riders and a little light on with the locals. Bill Levett, Chris Burton, Clayton Frederiks, Lucinda Frederiks, Sam Griffiths and Wendy Shaeffer are all overseas, leaving only Craig Barrett and Stuart Tinney to hold the fort back home.
Will these two established riders take the prize at Sydney and prove to the selectors that they’re serious about an Olympics berth, will some of the A-squad riders step up and show the selector’s their Olympic intentions or will it be a new kid on the block, a wildcard to win? Add to the mix a number of top-level riders, including Megan Jones, Shane Rose, Sonja Johnson and Heath Ryan missing from the start list, well this is going to be an interesting event.
Let’s have a look at who’s riding at Sydney:
Stuart Tinney and Vettori, photo with thanks to Main Event Photography
A familiar face for Eventing Nation readers is Stuart Tinney. Gold medal for Australia at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and team member at Olympic and World Equestrian Games, he’s a regular face on the local eventing scene and, I am sure, has some very fond memories of the Sydney track. While he’s not riding either of his national squad-listed horses, Panamera or Vettori, he will be stepping out on his newest ride, Pluto Mio. Owned by Jane Pittard and John Pittard, Stuart has recently taken over the ride of this lovely grey from Victorian rider, Katja Weimann. Stuart is already achieving some fantastic results on this horse, placing second at Equestriad Camden NSW CNC*** class last weekend, so he’ll definitely be one to watch.
Craig Barratt, photo with thanks to Main Event Photography
You may have read ESJ’s story on National Performance Director of the Australian Eventing Team, Prue Barrett a few months back. Well her husband, Craig Barrett is a pretty handy rider too and is currently one of Australia’s leading riders. He’s had a great year so far winning the Melbourne International 3 Day Event in June on his national squad listed horse, Wendela Jamie. This time round Craig will be riding Keith and Julie Osborne’s beautiful mare, Sandhills Brilliare, bred by the Barrett’s by their eventing stallion, Staccato. I have to admit to some personal interest in following this combination, having spent my Pony Club days with the Osborne’s daughters. So fingers crossed for Craig!
Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliot, photo thanks to thanks to Main Event Photography
Another consistent performer to watch out for is Tim Boland riding GV Billy Elliot. Normally in the ribbons, Tim had a disappointing cross-country ride at Melbourne, incurring 15 time penalties and dropping from second after the dressage to finish up the competition in 12th. I am sure he’ll be looking to improve on this result and will be aiming to gain a qualifying score for London.
Christine Bates had a cracker of a ride at the recent Sydney CNC in the three star despite a slight mishap just after the finish line in the showjumping! She’ll be riding her top horse, Adelaide Hill and let’s see if she can give the boys a run for their money. Hopefully she’ll be tweeting from the event too – @Ozbatesy.
Dom Ingvall, photo with thanks to Main Event Photography
Dominic Ingvall, a local rider based just north of Sydney, is looking to qualify for London … but not for Australia, for her native country, Finland. While originally from Finland, Dom learnt to ride in Portugal before moving to Australia in 2001. She has grown up through the local Pony Club ranks to become a very talented young rider and will be riding her horse, Kitara Diamond Edition.
So will it be one of these riders? Or will one of the other competitors come out to take the prize? I can’t wait to bring you all the action from Sydney!
CAZ
