Will Enzinger and Wenlock Aquifer lead the way
When Stuart Tinney and Shane Rose’s names appear on the CCI4* start list at Adelaide you automatically assume that they will be sitting in the press conference at the end of the day but there were some new faces chatting to the media today
After a couple of windless, sunny days for the 2* and 3* competitors, the sea breeze blew up and the flags flapped a bit more just as the 10 competitors in the Adelaide CCI4* prepared to do their tests in front of the Heritage Grandstand this afternoon
The first competitor was also the last of the day as Victorian rider Will Enzinger was the only one in this class with two rides. His first ride was on Wenlock Aquifer, an off the track thoroughbred that finished 12th here last year and, although today Will couldn’t better his 2015 dressage score, he did finish in the lead on 51.80.
Although obviously delighted to be leading after this phase Will was a little disappointed with his test on the bay thoroughbred, thinking that he could have done better ( and being admonished by his wife, fellow competitor Emily Anker, for not producing a square halt at the end “This horse always halts beautifully!” says Emily).
On the other hand, his second ride on the grey Britannica saw him down the leader board but he couldn’t have been happier with the way the horse tried for him
Will Enzinger
Hazel Shannon and Clifford
Hazel Shannon, the girl from far north Queensland who had never evented until she started to work for Heath Ryan six year ago, is in second place on a score of 52.10. This is a little off the score of 47 that her coach Heath had been hoping for but Hazel was pleased with most of the test, especially the canter work that she has been working on
Rohan Luxmoore and Bells 'N Whistles
While Hazel and Will are both professional riders, the rider currently in third place is a full-time vet who has left his busy practice near Melbourne during the peak of the equine breeding season to fulfil his dream of competing here. Rohan Luxmoore and his own Bells ‘N Whistles produced a great test at their 4* debut to score 53.20 and put him ahead of Olympic riders Stuart Tinney on War Hawk in fourth place (56.40) and Shane Rose in sixth place riding Glenorchy South Park (59.60).
Rohan had an error of course which, to our simple mathematical minds, cost him the lead but he was still absolutely delighted with the test and his lovely horse
“It’s amazing how much better his test is” said Rohan “We were meant to come here two years ago but he injured himself but he’s improved a lot in the dressage since then”
Shane Rose was also pleased with the development of his and wife Niki's horse, Glenorchy South Park (above) in the past 12 months. This time last year the 11 year old gelding finished third here in the CCI2* and it is a big step up to 4* in one year
In fifth place, all the way from Western Australian and returning there after Adelaide to prepare for her wedding in six weeks time, Tegan Lush was probably the happiest rider of the day when she got off her horse Tempus Fugit.
“My last test before coming here was so horrendous that I thought that I may not even bother crossing the Nullarbor again this year!” says Tegan but luckily she changed her mind and finished the day in fifth place with a score of 59.10
A delighted Tegan Lush - now the journey was worth it!
Two Andrews are in seventh and eigth places with Australia’s Andrew Cooper riding Evergem Perfection on a score of 59.70 and New Zealand’s Andy Daines on 61.40 riding Spring Panorama. We spoke to them both after their tests
Hero of the day - after finishing his dressage test Stuart Tinney was asked by a young fan if he would sign her saddlecloth but she was afraid that the saddlecloth may scare War Hawk "Not at all" said Stuart "Pink is his favourite colour!"
