The stormy Sydney Summer Classic

While some were sheltering in the indoor arena, Katelyn Simpson and Fairview Metallica were doing their test during one of the storm fronts on Saturday with some added movements .......

 

 

When you have 500 competitors descending on the first NSW event of the 2017 season the last thing you want is for the schedule to go awry. But when the weather turned unpredictably stormy on Friday afternoon and again on Saturday, forcing some cancellations and changes to schedules, the President of the Sydney @ SIEC Eventing Christine Bates and her team swung into action to keep the show on the road

It is lucky that Christine is as passionate about running this event as she is because there were plenty of challenges throughout the weekend but everyone was still smiling at the end

The Sydney International Equestrian Centre is one of the few Olympic equestrian facilities still in full use and the Sydney @ SIEC committee are ensuring that it stays that way. This February event is fast becoming the ‘go-to’ event for the start of the NSW season with courses at all levels from EvA60 up to 3* star designed by Sandy Lucas and Stuart Tinney

There is a big attraction to compete here at the Olympic facility with even riders who are too young to remember the 2000 Olympics desperate to ride on the hallow soil. One of those riders was Christine’s own son Will who sadly didn’t achieve his goal of riding through the Sydney water in the EvA60 Mini but we’re sure he’ll be back!

Christine Bates told us how the weekend panned out, despite all of the weather dramas, and we caught up with news about her top horse Adelaide Hill

 

Christine Bates

 

       Never mind Will, better luck next time ............