Sydney Eventing Spring Classic 2024 XC Videos
The horses may still be a little fluffy, but Spring has sprung in Australia and that means it is time for the Camden Equine Centre Sydney Spring Classic (7th & 8th September)
The Sydney International Equestrian Centre, home to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games at Horsely Park, is packed with hundreds of riders and their horses of all levels and sizes, from cute ponies (one of which steadfastly refused in the 65cm showjumping at the first fence today, which must have been very frustrating for his young rider) to top level international competitors.
One of the most experienced combinations in Australia, triple CCI5* winners Hazel Shannon and Willingapark Clifford, are leading the Camden Equine Centre CCN4* class after Saturday’s dressage and showjumping. Hazel and Clifford started in third place (30.10) of the national 4* class but it was a close thing, with Heath Ryan on Bobby Dazzler and Jess Somerfield riding Finch Farm Carpentaria sharing first place on 28.10.
But, while both Heath and Jess dropped a rail in the showjumping and Jess also added some time penalties, Hazel and Clifford cruised around the course to move into the lead with Sam Fasher riding Angelina Gold now in second place (30.6) and Heath in third (32.10).
Oliver Barrett had a good start to the day in the Completely Equine CCN3*, ‘doing a Ros Canter’ to hold both first and second places after the dressage.
Both horses produced sub-30 scores with the eight-year-old Sandhills Briar, winner of the CCI2*-L at Sydney International last year, leading on 27.6 and his stable mate, the eight-year-old Sandhills Gem, a horse normally ridden by Olivia Barton, who is currently overseas, close behind on 28.60.
Christine Bates leads the Camden Equine Clinic CCN2* riding Bloomfield Findon but not all scores were available at the time of writing.
Most of the classes completed dressage and showjumping today and will head out on cross country tomorrow but the EvA95 and EvA65 competitors enjoyed their run around the Sydney courses today with Molly Lines riding Paris Pike leading the Wallaby Hill EvA95A, Christine Bates riding Statford Matilda leading the An Eventful Life EvA95B and Maddie Breatnach riding Sterling Fosworth leading the CEC EvA95Junior.
