Rohan Luxmoore and Bells 'N Whistles on their way to a win
The Harcourts Drouin and Bunyip CIC2* at Tonimbuk Horse Trials had a few equine campaigners starting their season gently and their experience brought three of them to the top
Rohan Luxmoore’s Bells N Whistles, Molly Barry’s La Muso and Murray Lamperd’s Paihia Wilhelm all moved up after the evening show jumping on Saturday thanks to double clear rounds for Rohan and Murray and just four faults for Molly then on Sunday Rohan and Molly put in two of the only sub-10 time fault rides of the class to secure first and second places
Rohan and Bells ‘N Whistles, who took a tumble in the CCI4* in Adelaide at the end of the year, looked to be cruising around but came home with the fastest time of 7.2 penalties to finish in the lead on 44 penalties. Rohan likes to start the season with some gentler tracks; last year they won the CIC2* as a season starter at Wandin Park and this year they have taken home the rug one week earlier at Tonimbuk but Rohan wasn’t very happy with their 'ordinary' dressage!
Rohan Luxmoore
Molly and La Muso
Molly and her 11 year old off the track thoroughbred also put in a great cross country round with just 7.6 time penalties, keeping them in second place on 47.90. Molly’s other ex-racehorse Shina Kuma was in front of his more experienced stable mate after the dressage but 16 show jumping faults moved them down the ranks
Murray and Paihia Wilhelm
Murray Lamperd rode the third fastest cross country round of the day on the twisty track but that was on his other horse in this class, Toronto. Murray took over the ride on Toronto from Andrew Cooper in 2017 and third placed Paihia Wilhelm is also a fairly new ride for Murray too. This is their first top three placing together at international level, moving up from 10th after the dressage to finish on 52.90 with 15.6 time penalties on cross country
Amanda and RLE Poynstown Will
Amanda Ross, who held the lead and second place in this class after dressage and show jumping, jumped clear on Don Diablo with 26 time penalties for fifth place but a run out at the brush out of the new water complex for RLE Poynstown Will dropped them out of contention. This was their first start together so Amanda will keep working on their ‘communication’ and look at her brakes on the Irish horse that has plenty of scope and a huge stride
