2010 CCI3* winners, the now retired Ringwould Jaguar and laid up in bed with a broken hip Sonja Johnson, photo courtesy of Franz Venhaus
Later today the CCI Three Star Melbourne International Three Day Event kicks off in Victoria. The Melbourne event is the first big 3DE in the Aussie calendar and usually attracts a diverse and class field from across the country.
This year while there are 39 entries in the CCI 3 Star class which would warm the cockles of just about any organizing committee’s heart, the field isn’t quite as strong as it could be. Now that Adelaide has been included in the FEI Classics Series, I believe that some horses are being held back, saving that CCI run for later in the year.
In fact of last year’s top 10 combinations in the three star, only one combination is entered, that is Megan Jones and Kirby Park Allofasudden, I don’t recall this occurring in the past. Among the notable combinations missing is Chris Burton, who in recent years has had two or three horses entered at most big three star events, is now relocated to the UK. So this is the first big event without Chris on the ground and his mate Clarke Johnstone who has also been a feature on the Aussie seen is now safely in the UK.
Stuart Tinney who has three or four rides to choose from at the three star level has only the relatively inexperienced Orchard Hill entered, the much more seasoned and top four (2nd and 4th) placed mounts from last year, Panamera and Vettori are being rested.
Our good friend Hamish Cargill has his horse Agent Arthur competing in the three star. His Rolex horse Sandhills Tiger is currently in quarantine in the US, awaiting a flight to the UK to join Chris Burton who will prepare Tiger for Hamish before he flies to the UK in August to compete at Burghley, in early September.
While on the subject of Burghley, I can’t wait, aside from the fact it will be my first Burghley, the quality of the talent from across the globe that is lining up for Burghley is exciting. I believe that for many the Burghley/Blenheim week and a bit will be one of the last big chances for many riders to put themselves in contention for London.
Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA will all have a decent size group of competitors in the field. Mixed in with the usual variety of European competitors it will be exciting. I will be at Burghley and Blenheim the following weekend and bringing the action to you on EN.
While on the subject of missing competitors from this year’s Melbourne, Sonja Johnson is still laid up in bed following a broken hip. She has been driving everyone mad, including herself, but is under strict orders to give the hip full rest if she is to have any hope of getting back into the saddle competitively and quickly. It won’t be long before we see Sonja back on the scene and making up for lost time.
All that said we still have a brilliant field and some riders with a point to prove as they make the selectors think about including them in the London long list. Fresh off his Equestriad win Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliot are out to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with. Equally so Megan Jones hasn’t had the best of year’s and while Jester is still out of competitions, Megan has been focusing on her chestnut gelding Kirby Park Allofasudden but they still haven’t quite hit the mark.
No doubt the competition will be fierce, but the weather will be horrid. We are now in the depths of winter here and while we don’t get snow here (except in the highland snowfields) it gets cold and wet. Just check out Hamish’s twitter stream below to understand how us warm blooded Aussies feel about the Melbourne weather, to be honest this is one event I am happy to be reporting on from my home, with the log fire roaring.
It is a big weekend of Eventing on EN so I wont hog any more space, I will be back later in the weekend to report on Eventing Down-under.
UPDATE: Dressage has been run and won. Dressage specialist Heath Ryan and his brilliant gelding Mystery Whisper, smashed all competition with 36.5 penalties. He is followed in equal second position by Craig Barrett on the first of two rides in the top fivesix, Windela Jamie and Tim Boland on GV Billy Elliot both on 45.6. The top five six is rounded out with Craig Barrett again on Sandhills Brillaire (the only mare in the class), Emma Mason on F1 Pharinelli and Shane Rose and Taurus all on 47.3.
To follow the results click here.
Yours in Eventing,
ESJ
