And as promised yesterday, a picture the iconic jump that graces the entry to Syndey International Equestrian Centre.
Here is the latest update from down under by Caz.
I think there must have been plenty of toes and fingers crossed over night, or perhaps the odd prayer or two said before bed as the weather for cross country day was perfect. It definitely wasn’t warm, with an icy wind hanging round all day, but at least it stayed dry and the sun managed to poke it’s head out a few times during the day. And while it may have been a bit chilly at times for the spectators, for the horses and riders it was perfect.
A great initiative offered at Sydney Three-Day Event is a behind the scenes package for schools, pony clubs and adult riding clubs. One component of this program was a tour around the stables with Stuart Tinney’s former groom, Amy McGregor; and another was a course walk with Aussie eventing legend, Wayne Roycroft, who has recently accepted an invitation to be Patron of Sydney International Eventing.
Wayne Roycroft with a captive audience during the course walk
So this morning I found myself with a group of around 30 people traipsing around the cross-country course, hanging on Wayne’s every word. It was a real privilege to get the opportunity to participate in this course walk and I am in awe of Wayne’s incredible instincts and knowledge. He literally just glanced at a fence and within seconds had calculated the distance and a plan for tackling it, using examples of how different Australian horse and rider combinations through history would attack the jump.
And after walking around the course all day, I have to congratulate SIEC management for doing a great job – the track is currently in amazing shape. As I walked the course this morning, I was speaking to one of the riders who said that usually, after walking halfway round the course, her feet are killing because the ground is so hard – a problem typical for many Australian courses. I suppose it doesn’t help that much of the country was suffering from serious drought until recently, so perhaps it’s a good thing for the horses (and the farmers!) that we’ve swung from El Nino to la Nina conditions! But today, the ground was soft yet firm and I think there was only one point along my course walk where the ground went squelch. I felt positively ridiculous wandering round in my gumboots but I think all the riders were relieved it was not slippery, a major concern for many after the torrential rain of yesterday.
Pluto Mio looking a little cleaner today!
All classes ran well today without major incident, and six of the thirteen starters in the CCI*** made it through on double clears. Two riders were eliminated, five went over time and three had troubles with the skinny jump in the water.
A few changes were seen on the leader board, with Tim Boland on GV Billy Elliot incurring a costly 2.4 time penalties. This dropped them back to third place behind Stuart Tinny on Pluto Mio on a double clear and Victoria Luxford clear jumping but with 0.8 time penalties.
Victoria Luxford riding Perfect Encounter
After producing a fantastic dressage test yesterday and then backing up this form in the cross country today, Victoria Luxford will be one to watch in the future. She’s travelling well at the 3-star level on her fabulous 15-year-old gelding, Perfect Encounter, who she purchased seven years ago as a pre-novice horse. And as reported yesterday, she took home the 7-year-old young event horse title on her off the track thoroughbred, Little Miss Perfect. Here’s hoping she has a cracker of a showjumping round tomorrow as she’s in a great position to knock the big boys off the top spot!
Unfortunately equal third from yesterday, George Sheridan, riding Woznme had some trouble on course and had a stop at the fourth jump and two refusals at the skinny in the water. It was a shame to see him go as he did such a lovely dressage test yesterday.
Craig Barrett riding Sandhills Brilliare
Craig Barrett had a super round finishing double clear on my personal favourite horse of the competition, Sandhills Brilliare. This horse’s stable name is Sparkles and for a sport as tough as eventing, her name certainly brings a smile to my face! Craig is currently sitting in fourth place on 47.50 and Christine Bates riding Adelaide Hill rounds out the top five on 49.00 – less than one rail behind the leaders. Showjumping is certainly going to be exciting tomorrow!
The two-star class is also pretty tight, with the top five combinations, Natalie Blundell, Lauren Balcomb, Shane Rose (riding two horses – Il Vici and Statford Neo) and Will Enzinger sitting within one rail of each other.
Will Enzinger and his pink diamante stirrups!
Wil Enzinger has also had a great competition so far and is sitting first in the CCI* riding Wenlock Aquifer (and wearing stirrups with bright pink diamantes, as we were reminded by commentator, Fiona Hughes!). Emma Mason is hot on his heels riding Poker Face and these two riders are currently sitting clear of the field. Rounding out the competition, Sandy Lucas on Diamond Affair is currently leading the pre-novice class on a score of 44.40.
Full results can be found here.
Catch me tomorrow trying to live tweet @Cazdrop and take photos are the same time. Let’s hope my iPhone makes it through the rest of the weekend after dropping it too many times this weekend!
Caz
