Heath Ryan and Bronze Boy R
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Quirindi CCN One Day Event 2021 - order or view videos here
It has been a long time between competitions for many of the combinations at Quirindi Eventing in NSW today, with most not having out and about since Sydney International or Equestriad in May. Some of the horses certainly seemed to enjoy being out, showing a few high spirits after being in their own version of lockdown, and probably wondering why they haven’t been to an event for nearly six months
One rider that has competed since then, and came home with an Olympic silver medal for his efforts, was Shane Rose who had multiple rides on horses that have been kept ticking over at home. One of those was his wife Niki’s Dreamcatcher, winner of the CCI3*-L and Best Performed Thoroughbred at Sydney International
“Dreamcatcher was really quiet when I got on and then went feral!” laughed Shane “He did a good test but gave me about 35 changes I didn’t need! But it’s just great to get them out” (More to come from Shane soon in and an upcoming interview)
But it was Heath Ryan and Andrew Barnett who took the honours on Saturday morning, with each rider leading two classes apiece after the dressage phase
Heath led the way in the Mitavite CCN4*-S riding the nine-year-old gelding Bronze Boy R with a score of 26.8 ahead of Jess Rae riding Rascal (30) and Shane on Stakkino in third (30.60) in the class of ten who did their dressage in the sultry morning and show jumped later in the afternoon (results not available from the 4* show jumping at time of writing).
Heath and Jaguar Calling R
Heath also leads the Simon Smith Plumbing EvA95 Open on Jaguar Calling R, by Jaguar Mail, after dressage and show jumping with a very good score of 22.90
Andrew Barnett led both the AIRR Members CCN3*-S, riding Go Tosca, and the Boonoona Design CCN2*-S on board the appropriately named Oscar Park Deluge (as that is the weather forecast for Sunday) after dressage but a rail down in the afternoon show jumping cost him the 2* lead
Andrew and Oscar Park Deluge (above) and 2* leaders after show jumping, Alicia Seery riding Kings Crackerjack (below)
Alicia Seery riding Kings Crackerjack now leads thanks to a clear show jumping round but only has 0.50 penalties over Andrew for tomorrow’s cross country phase
The 3* show jumping also took place on Saturday afternoon – which saw just one wave of storm and rain come through and quickly pass – but we don’t have scores for that phase. Following the dressage, Andrew’s score of 24.20 gave him a good lead over second placed Emma Bishop on Cassilis Park Figaro on 31.0
Check back tomorrow and our full event report coming up next week ….
Andrew Barnett and Go Tosca
