Will he or won't he? Will Enzinger and TS Jamaimo
We thought we could easily predict the winner of the CCI 3* at Lakes and Craters as Will Enzinger was the only competitor, riding Ruban Son and TS Jamaimo but it just goes to show what a fickle sport eventing is. Will didn’t make it around Michael Creber’s new CCI 3* cross country course (which also caused a lot of problems for the CIC 3* class too)but had a good round on TS Jamaimo which he was thrilled with as it meant he had a qualification for Adelaide next year. Sadly the next day Will was eliminated on Jamaimo in the showjumping for jumping the wrong course, meaning that there was no winner of the CCI 3* this year and no qualification for Will.
Ben Leahy riding Le Directeur was the only one to finish the CIC 3* and he took a winner’s rug back home to Western Australia. In the CCI2* riders Katie Roots (above) was understandably delighted to win, especially on Tevalgar, a horse that she saved from being put down who has exceeded her expectations in every possible way.
Amanda Ross took out the CCI1* class, adding no penalties to her day one winning dressage score on board Loxley (above). This may be the last event for Amanda for some time in Australia as she is hoping to head to the UK for an extended stay and to compete Michelle Clough’s two talented chestnuts on the European circuit.
Lakes and Craters is the last international competition on the eventing calendar in Australia and it is a well loved and well attended event which provides a great finale to the year at a spectacular venue in Victoria.
CLICK HERE for our full coverage of Lakes and Craters 3DE
On the same weekend as Lakes and Craters, New Zealand also had their last event of the year at Puhinui. While it was warm and sunny at the event in Victoria, Mother Nature decided to be fickle in West Auckland (very near the home of the Puhinui 3 Day Event) producing a tornado, torrential rain, flash flooding, thunder and lightning. Although it cleared up during the event, the first horse inspection was delayed and there were downpours during the dressage phase. The second ride in the CCI 3* for Donna Smith (above), her exciting young horse Balmoral Sensation took an 8.6 point lead but a spectacular fall on cross country day brought them unstuck.
It was the petite pig-hunting, horse-shoeing country girl, 20 year old Ashleigh Mckinstry (above) who won the title with her part Kaimanawa home bred horse, Pioneer Makokomiko.
AEL blogger Clarke Johnstone won the CCI 1* class riding Vincent, another horse he will be taking back to the UK, and also got an airline upgrade promised by the horse’s owners (nice work, Clarke!). In the Honda NZ CCI**, Helensville’s Shelley Ross (above) on Coleraine Coaltown were clear winners
CLICK HERE for our photos and coverage of the Puhinui 3 Day Event
Andrew Nicholson at Olympia Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI
As eventers around the world settled in for a holiday, the Christmas glitter got into gear at Olympia. Kathy Carter brought us some of the fun from the London International Horse Show including the World Cup Dressage and Showjumping. Andrew Nicholson had to get Avebury out of his holiday stable to attend – but it was very worthwhile as he was picking up a cheque for US $50,000 as the HSBC Rankings leader at the end of the 2012 season.
Mary King may have to change her signature now to Mary MBE
To round off the year in style, eventer Mary King became Mary MBE in the UK New Year’s honours list whilst Mark Todd became Sir Toddy in New Zealand's New Year's honours.
Sir Mark Todd with Lady Libby Law, photographer extraordinaire
It has been a fantastic year with, as always, unpredictable highs and lows in the eventing world and we have really enjoyed bringing you all the action from the Australian, New Zealand and international events. Our special thanks to Libby Law, John Lechner, Kathy Carter, Toni-anne Collins, Emily Penney and the many other people who have contributed to our event coverage throughout the year. Thanks also to the event organisers and of course the fabulous riders, owners, partners, grooms and helpers who make it such a great sport. Our final thanks to all of you people out there for reading!
We’ll be back in 2013 with more events, more coverage and more fun – we can’t wait!
Alison Duthie and Debbie Higgs
To relive photo memories from all events in 2012 CLICK HERE
To get ready for next year’s events, check out our International Eventing Calendar for 2013
