Sophe Bennett and Brannigans Irish Connection win at their first 3DE
It was oh so nearly nearly a second double at Lakes and Craters for Del Ogilvy and her partner’s daughter Sophie Bennett in the CCN105
Del and Sophie both won their EvA95 Divisions in April at Camperdown and this weekend they almost did it again in the CCN105. Sophie, competing on Brannigans Irish Connection in the Horseland CCN105 Junior, was having her first ever 3 Day Event start and she did it in style, leading after the dressage on a score of 40.7 and staying there until the very end for a win.
Del Ogilvy and Precious Dreams
Her ‘second mum’ and coach Del Ogilvy is no stranger to 3 Day Events but she admits that, despite all of her experience, she still gets very nervous heading into the show jumping. On Sunday just one rail cost Del and the eye-catching Precious Dreams the win but they finished in second place after a very good event
We spoke to Del and Sophie after their cross country
Del Ogilvy and Sophie Bennett
Ellyse Davis and Cassilis Park Pepper
However it was another 3 Day Event first timer, Ellyse Davis who went home with the rug (appropriately sponsored by Horseware). Ellyse and Cassilis Park Pepper, a 17hh 7 year old WB x TB by Promise R, were second after the dressage and added nothing to their score of 41.60 for the win
Ellyse purchased him as a green three year old and has been bringing him along under the watchful eyes of Will Enzinger, Graham Chappel and, most recently, Katja Weimann.
“He's got a big personality with a bit of an attitude, which I love but can be a challenge time to time. He seems to enjoy the competition atmosphere and he likes to please, so I'm super excited to see what his future holds. Lakes and Craters was his third 105 and both his and my first ever CCN competition”
“After a very stressful start to the weekend ( I forgot my ID papers) Pepper pulled off a nice test, remaining engaged and very relaxed. I can always pick on our performance but overall, I was pleased with our performance and super excited with his score of 72%. We walked the cross country twice, including the official 1* course walk as many 105 and 1* fences were doubled and this was a good move as it gave me the confidence with the tough and steep 3km course”
“We jumped clear and under time on cross country and he vetted really well. I was super happy with this as making time has been a problem and Pepper’s gallop has required some work to date. I was nervous going into show jumping as this has been our weaker link but he went on to show jump clear which I was over the moon about”
“ I had come to terms with (and would even have been pleased with) a second place as I figured Delwyn had it in the bag - she's had such a successful start on her stunning warmblood. But unfortunately for Delwyn, she pulled a rail which shot us into the winning position!”
Wendy Schaeffer-Macdonald and Sun Showers
Wendy Schaeffer-Macdonald finished in third place in this class on another grey, Canterbury Sun Rose but also took home a winner’s rug in the Ariat CCI3* riding Sun Showers. After their good run cross country on Saturday Sun Showers trotted up well on the third day and had just one rail in the show jumping
The Ariat CIC3* was taken by Emily Anker riding Glenwood Park Cooper Street, finishing the three days with a lovely clear round in the show jumping. Emily also won the Noble Outfitters CIC2* on Pop The Question, adding just four faults in the show jumping
Listen to our interview after the cross country with Emily here
Ben Tyson and Equineaffair Cassanova
Ben Tyson and Chilli Class were also having their first CCI2* start here and finished with a rug to take home while his recent Colac winning horse Equineaffair Cassanova was second in the Promectin CCI1*. Several of these classes finished with only one competitor after eliminations on cross country but poor Sarah Robbins riding Wayouts Dunupsupreme in the CNC1* had probably the worst luck. She was eliminated for not going through finish flags after making it round the entire course – now wouldn’t that make you cross!
Anna Church and her 11 year old chestnut thoroughbred Viewbank Icon finished 18th at Camperdown in April but on Sunday they had their first CCI win in the Coprice CCI1* Young Rider class on their dressage score of 51.50, just ahead of Zoe Stewart on Spring Infusion.
Meg Bishop and Sovereign Venture
It was another chestnut that won the Promectin CCI 1* - the very handsome thoroughbred Sovereign Venture (Charlie) ridden by Meg Bishop who had a great start in the dressage
“We got 74.68%, I think that is a new PB for us, and gave us a two-rail lead, which was a relief for show jumping. I walked cross-country twice on Friday and once on Saturday so I felt confident about the new course and much to my delight he pulled up really well. I managed to sleep Saturday night, although I think I had nightmares about show jumping. Show jumping and I aren't friends on the best of days but reverse order show jumping and I are enemies... until Sunday thanks to Emily Anker and Adam Wootton”
“Charlie tried so hard and jumped his socks off for me, which was great to know he wasn't feeling much of a burn from the day before. One rail (which was 100% my fault) and 4 time seconds (I was a little on the cautious side getting to my fences straight) Charlie bought home his first and very well deserved CCI win and third woollen rug for the year”
We’ve got more to come from Meg about her weekend win soon ...
