Amanda Ross and Dondiablo
An Eventful Life is filming all competitors on cross country at
Cardinia Shire Tonimbuk Horse Trials 2020 - find out more here
Experienced campaigner Amanda Ross sits in first and third places of the CCI4*-S at the Cardinia Shire Tonimbuk International Horse Trials after the dressage with a 4* first-timer, Steph Hann riding True Celebre, in second place
The International classes will do their show jumping in the indoor arena this eventing and Amanda will be jumping both of her horses, Dondiablo, currently leading on a score of 27.50, and RLE Poynstown Will in third on 31.80 but she has decided not to run on cross country tomorrow, leaving Steph Hann in pole position depending on what happens in this evening’s show jumping and Megan Jones is close behind after the dressage on a score of 32 riding Kirby Park Impress
Amanda, who has recently returned from a trip to the UK as part of the Equestrian Australia Tokyo 2020 preparation, is targeting her horses at different events this year as part of her preparation for Tokyo so had already decided not to run cross country here (more to come from Amanda soon in a full length interview) but enjoyed her two tests today, including some high jinks in the flying changes from RLE Poynstown Will which would have unseated any other rider but had Amanda grinning from ear to ear
We caught up with Steff Hann after her test which was not quite so flamboyant as Amanda’s but was beautifully ridden, very correct and rhythmical on board the ‘hot’ off the track thoroughbred True Celebre
The surface of the sand arenas held up well to the recent heavy rain, especially once the sun came out around midday and more sun is forecast for tomorrow. The grass arenas didn’t fare so well with horses having to cope with some heavy going but everyone was pretty much in the same boat.
The ground on the higher levels of the cross country course is actually much better than normal (possibly the best I’ve ever seen it) but there are some boggy patches on the lower level so the Ground Jury have decided to increase the time allowed on all courses tomorrow to encourage riders to take their time in areas that may still be soggy, as 3*/4* course designer John Nicholson explained
Amanda also led the CCI3*-S after the dressage on RLE Cavalier Vivendi (28.90) but it is another first-timer, this time a 3* first timer, Sophie Bennett Riding Bvlgari who is in second place (31.80) ahead of visiting Western Australian, Madi Gielen riding GPH Valet De Carreau (32.30)
Young Lily Wickenden adds the new faces heading the international leader boards after dressage, in first place of the CCI2*-S on board EA Berlin
We’ll be back with lots more tomorrow ………….
