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One of my fondest memories of the World Championships in Pratoni last year was the palpable excitement in our media villa when EN’s Shelby Allen discovered the phenom that is New Zealand’s Monica Spencer and her excellent Artist. It’s so rare that we get to see those competitors who base themselves in the Southern Hemisphere full time battling it out against the global titans of the sport, and particularly thrilling when they come in with such impressive stats: she and the racing-trained-but-not-actually-raced ‘Max’ had won the CCI4*-L at Puhinui, brought a 27.3 dressage average to the table (and had earned a 25.5 at that CCI4*-L victory site), and had one of the best cross-country speed and reliability ratings on the roster, too. They’d also travelled over 18,000 kilometres to get to Pratoni after fitness training in a cow field, and so when Shelby started championing this impressive athlete, we all got caught up in the buzz.
And when she laid down 25.6 to take the early dressage lead? Man, did that feel good. So it’s no surprise, really, that we all quietly tipped her to make a great show of the 12-year-old gelding’s first CCI5*, which she’s currently undertaking at Australia’s Adelaide, which runs for the first time in three years this week. They currently sit pretty atop the leaderboard of 16 after throwing down a 24 in the first phase. They squeak ahead of Australia’s Sam Lyle and BF Valour, second going into cross-country on 25.6, and hot favourite Shane Rose, who holds third and fourth with Be My Daisy and Virgil, respectively, on 26.4 and 28.1. Fellow Kiwi Diane Gilder rounds out the top five on Your Attorney on a score of 28.9. You can check out the rest of the scores in full here.
“There was a bit of atmosphere out there,” says Monica. “I felt him ride up under me but he stayed with me all the way through and I was rapt. He just stood there perfectly still to finish and for the cheers of the crowd. I think he loves the crowd.’’
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Adelaide Equestrian Festival Chairman Greg Rolton has been delighted so far with attendance at the jam-packed event, which also hosts a CCI3*-L and CCI4*-L alongside a bustling trade fair highlighting the region’s cuisine and culture.
“What a perfect day here at the dressage, and the forecast is for another sensational day tomorrow for the cross country,” he enthuses. “Today’s competition was great to watch, and the record crowd enjoyed it immensely. We can’t wait to host everyone this weekend for more great equestrian action, food, wine and family fun. We’re proud that already over 25,000 tickets have been sold for this week’s event, but with our vast and stunning parklands there’s still plenty of room and time for everyone to buy their ticket for tomorrow or Sunday and experience this great festival with us.”
Stay tuned for a peak at the exciting course, designed by Mike Etherington-Smith, that’ll take competitors and spectators alike for a jaunt through this unique inner-city event. Go Adelaide, and Go Eventing!
