Jade Findlay and PIKS Dancing Queen Photo: Snapshotaustralia/Mel Goodson
An Eventful Life is filming all competitors on cross country at
Willinga Park Test Event 2022 - find out more here
Jade Findlay started and ended the first ever day of eventing at Willinga Park in the lead, but on different horses and after a touch of drama
Willinga Park was to debut its eventing competition in 2020 but, thanks to Covid, has had to pull the pin twice but today the Test Event, run at CCN2* level with a small number of competitors, finally kicked things off
The dressage took place during a warm and sultry morning, but the Willinga Park Indoor arena provided a cool and shady spot, albeit a little spooky in some ways for some of the horses. Of the nine competitors, Jade Findlay and Alex Townsend both had two rides and the two ladies shared the lead after the first phase with Alex on WHF Lyrical and Jade on Wasabi 1, both on a score of 29.80
Alex Townsend and WHF Lyrical Photo: Snapshotaustralia/Mel Goodson
A few hours later, the thunder was rumbling and rain started to fall as the show jumping phase started in the newly built Grand Prix arena, which boasts a very impressive grandstand overlooking the huge arena.
The poles fell and time penalties were incurred by most of the combinations with just two clear jumping rounds. Julie-Anne Humphries riding Tiger of the Woods moved up from last after dressage into fourth place thanks to a jumping round with 3.6 time faults and Jade Findlay’s second horse Piks Dressage Queen moved into the lead with the only double clear round.
It was particularly impressive as Jade had taken a tumble from her first horse after the very last fence on course when Wasabi seemingly spooked and, turning suddenly and unexpectedly, parted ways with Jade in the process. Luckily, they were through the finish flags, Jade was checked over to be given the medical all-clear and she now holds both first and second places on Piks Dressage Queen (30.50) and Wasabi 1 (37.80) while Junior rider Hayley Robl riding Lucky Decision holds third place (41.50)
Jade told us more about both horses, that were sourced in Germany by Stuart Tinney, after her dressage tests
Jade Findlay
Willinga Park is an impressive facility to say the least and we’ll have plenty more coming up about this architecturally stunning venue with the best horse facilities we’ve seen in Australia (and quite a few other places).
Lots and lots coming up about that, with footage of the venue and plenty of photos, coming up next week, along with our full wrap from Willinga Park. In the meantime, don't forget to stay tuned to our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for video snippets and more ...
The new Grand Prix Arena awaits the first eventing show jumping phase
