An Eventful Life is filming all competitors on the cross country at the Australian International 3DE - find out more here
Andrew Barnett and Bradgate Park Dante set the standard early in the day
The first rider of the Australian International 3 Day Event certainly made his mark today. Admittedly, it isn’t hard to go into the lead when you are the first rider off the blocks but Andrew Barnett riding the eight year old chestnut gelding Bradgate Park Dante produced a very good test true to his usual form to score 45.9
This combination has had a very good lead-up to this competition with a second to Gemma Tinney in the CCI1*at the Melbourne International 3DE and a second at Goulburn CIC2* recently so it wasn’t surprising that they maintained their lead for the entire morning as the other riders tried to catch him
The Adelaide Heritage Grandstand was not have been full today by any means but the support crews took advantage of the shady seats to cheer their riders on, especially those competing in the Bates Young Rider Championship. Hannah Lewindon was the first of these young riders and she scored 52.30 to finish the day in 10th place on her 12 year bay mare Veretti. Hannah and Veretti have been together for three years now, after Hannah bought the small mare, only 15.1h, as a failed show jumper in Queensland. The mare may not have been destined to be a Grand Prix show jumper like her sire, Chris Chugg’s famous Vivant but will hopefully follow in the footsteps of another famous Vivant progeny, Shane Rose’s Virgil
The next rider out, Victoria’s Sheridan Wilson finished the day down the leader board on a score of 70.50 but she was just delighted to get this phase out of the way, having been eliminated in the dressage here last year. We caught up with Sheridan for a chat after her test on the big Artane Murphy and you can listen to that interview here
Simon Tainsh and Vengeance
Another Victorian rider Simon Tainsh then pulled off the first test to challenge Andrew Barnett’s lead with a lovely test on the 13 year old warmblood gelding Vengeance. They scored 47.70 to finish the day in sixth place
Emily Rink was another of the Young Riders to produce a nice test on Rosthwaite Venice Beach although she had her coach and supporters holding their breath as she circled before entering the arena and getting in just as the clock ticked down to zero. She wasn’t the only Young Rider to tempt the time – Alexandra Barlow on the delightfully named Ana Banana also cut it very fine and this is probably a skill these young riders can only learn in these more pressured environments.
Emily finished the day in 17th place on 58.70 which is a great considering that the dark bay mare nearly lost her life earlier in the year. A paddock accident demolished the bones in the front of the mare’s face which took a lot of surgery to repair, luckily without ongoing side effects, but she was not able to be ridden again until April this year
Callum Buczak’s flowing hair got away from him today – he’s grooming for himself (and indeed, grooming himself) and didn’t manage to quite keep his locks under control although the stewards very kindly offered to help afterwards. Callum had the only error of course of the day and very early in the test, halting at L instead of I “I think I need glasses as well as a hair net!” said Callum. This pair had a bad fall at Tooradin very recently and Callum is just out to complete the cross country on Saturday “I’m not here to be a hero. I’m here to get around and give Matavia Cheval a confidence boosting round”
While Andrew Bartlett had led throughout the morning, suddenly after lunch there was a flurry of movement on the leader board
Shenae Lowings and Venture Sky High
20 year old Shenae Lowings from Western Australia moved into the lead of not only the Bates Young Rider Championship but also the CCI2* overall straight after the break with a score of 43.0 and she was, not surprisingly, very happy with her horse Venture Sky High although her coach Prue Barrett was wondering what more they had to do to get better scores.
This is another young rider that has been benefitting from time with Prue and it is certainly showing with a third place at Camden CIC2*, second at Sydney CCI2* and a win at Wooroloo CIC2*
Shenae Lowings
Jess Rae and Rascal
However, only four riders later the lead moved again, this time to NSW’s Jessica Rae riding Rascal. This black horse by renowned dressage stallion Regardez Moi has been a bit tricky in the past but Jess has always known the talent is there.
At just seven years of age he turned in a personal best of 41.80 to move into the lead with a lovely rhythmical, forward test which was also beautifully relaxed, despite the fact that he can at times be a little spooky says Jess
Carlene Barton and Jess Grosmann both put in lovely tests in the afternoon to share seventh place overall with scores of 50.10. Carlene is the mum of young Olivia Barton who is riding in the same class but today it was mum who took the family honours with a good test on the homebred APH Merlin while Olivia is currently 23rd riding APH Bertie Bad. Jess Grosmann was very happy with the eight year old Equus Spencer who is not very experienced at this level and it puts them in a good position heading into the cross country
Gemma Tinney and Annapurna
But it was 19 year old Gemma Tinney riding John and Jane Pittard’s Annapurna who showed that the Young Riders mean business here with and the lead changed yet again in the mid-afternoon. They just pipped Jess Rae and Rascal’s score by one penalty to lead on 40.80, bringing a tear to Gemma’s eye and a big hug from her dad and Olympic medallist Stuart. For Gemma, who joined the ‘company firm’ after finishing school last year, there is a bit of pressure in taking over a ride from her dad but today everything went beautifully
Victorian rider Katja Weimann was the second last rider of the day and she performed a good test on her homebred BP Escapade for a score of 44.60 to take fourth place from Andrew Barnett, leaving the top six as;
Gemma Tinney and Annapurna 40.8
Jessica Rae and Rascal 41.80
Shenae Lowings and Venture Sky High 43
Katja Weimann and BP Escapade 44.60
Andrew Barnett and Bradgate Park Dante 45.90
Simon Tainsh and Vengeance 47.70
Katja Weimann and BP Escapade
