Chelsea Priestley and the white unicorn Skansen Purist
An Eventful Life filmed all competitors on cross country at
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Many young girls grow up dreaming of riding a white unicorn; for Chelsea Priestley, the 'white unicorn' has been to compete at Adelaide and now it has come true. Not only is she riding there but she is in the lead of the CCI2*
She is also riding a white unicorn in shape of the 18 year old Skansen Purist, owned by her friend Izzy O’Loughlin who has loaned him to Chelsea whilst Chelsea’s own horse is unable to compete. Chelsea and 'Charlie' have only been together since March and have not competed much but, after starting the competition in sixth place yesterday in the dressage, they moved into the lead today with a double clear cross country ride
For Chelsea it is 'surreal'
Chelsea Priestley
Emma Mason and Warrego Marco Polo
However the fairy tale ending will be hard fought as it is going to be a tight finish in tomorrow’s show jumping phase. Seasoned competitor Emma Mason on Warrego Marco Polo is just 0.10 penalties behind, moving up from sixth place after dressage after adding just two time penalties on course
Matt Gaske and Thymes Too had a great ride
In third place is Matt Gaske, the James Bond of this year’s Adelaide, who ‘went out hard from the beginning’ on Thymes Too
The big shock of the day was the elimination of not one but two riders at the very first fence on course, the Qantas Take Off (or not, as may be the case). The overnight leader Madeline Wilson retired here when Aces High refused twice to jump it and Kenya Wilson was eliminated for three unsuccessful attempts on Barrabadeen Aspire.
10 combinations in all were eliminated in this class and five retired on course with Fences 20 and 16 causing quite a few problems. Molly Barry, who was leading the Bates 2* Young Rider Championship after the dressage on Shinu Kuma, dropped down the leader board due to breaking a frangible device at Fence 14. This was another problematic fence for several riders including Emma King on both horses, Mattea Davidson and Tess Sharman who were in good positions after the dressage
We spoke to Molly before she was aware of the 11 penalties
Jordyn Faint and Double S & Evergreen Jackpot now leads the Young Rider Championship in sixth place overall behind two Western Australian riders, Belinda Isbister and Cindy Lyall
Belinda made a significant move up from 25th after the dressage into fourth place on Here To Stay thanks to a double clear round, finishing on 58.50 while Cindy and the heartthrob GI Joe added 9.6 time penalties for fifth place (58.70)
Cindy Lyall and GI Joe
