Megan Jones and Kirby Park Impress lead the CCI3*
Young horses and emerging riders were a major focus on the opening day of the Sydney International Horse Trials today. Whilst dressage phases for all classes were conducted, the Wade Equine Coaches 2017 Young Event Horse Championships were also staged.
Fresh from her return from Badminton in the UK with husband Shane, Niki Rose quinellaed the 4YO class with Dreamcatcher and Finch Farm Spruce. It has been a difficult few weeks for the Rose family but Niki, who also won at Equestriad just before her departure for the UK, rose to the occasion yet again on these two lovely horses
The 5YO category was won by Alex Townsend’s WHF Lyrical and Stuart Tinney’s Celebration won the 6YO category and also the Australian Young Event Horse title.
In the main eventing classes, 2008 Beijing Olympics silver medallist Megan Jones and Kirby Park Impress lead the main class of the competition, the Horseware CCI3* after the dressage (47.80) with Tania Harding on Jirrima Yorkshire not far behind on 48.50 and Soigne Jackson riding Warrego Collateral Damage is in third (52).
Megan is looking forward to the cross-country phase tomorrow which will be her homebred chestnut mare’s debut at this level
“It’s her first CCI3* and a qualifier for Adelaide and then we can hopefully look forward to WEG and Olympics. It’s all been building up to this.”
As for the Mike Etherington-Smith course, she is looking forward to riding it.
“I think it’s tough but a beautiful track with well presented distances and it just makes you want to ride it.”
Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliott (above) lead the Equestrian Australia CIC3* on a good score of 41.50 with Katie Taliana and the elegant Trevalgar II in second place on 46.70 and visiting Kiwi Ginny Thompson riding Star Nouveau on 50.60
View our photo gallery from Friday at Sydney International Horse Trials here
