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We're missing you Libby!
There was drama even before we got to Adelaide this year but we’re finally here and we’re off and running, as were the horses and riders at the Australian Internation 3DE first horse inspection
If the first horse inspection at last year’s Australian International 3 Day Event was a case of the ‘walking wounded’ for riders, this year it was the An Eventful Life team that suffered the casualty before even arriving at the event. Libby Law, our photographer extraordinaire, had an accident in Melbourne on Tuesday evening while roller blading, her second favourite thing after photographing eventing super stars.
Sadly Libby came unstuck on a concrete track and suffered a bad head injury which means she will be in hospital in Melbourne for a few days under observation but the good news is that she won’t be requiring any surgery as first feared. We send Libby all our love as she recovers and we’re already missing her here in Adelaide!
Luckily Stephen Mowbray has stepped into the breach as our photographer for the next few days so you’ll still be getting some great shots in the gallery each night as well as Deb’s happy snaps.
So what happened today after we finally made it to Adelaide (after the news of Libby and missing our original flight). Well, it was HOT! The heat hit you as soon as you walked out of the air conditioned comfort of the airport and it was straight out of jeans and into a short skirt, baring those lily white legs.
Unlike us, these judges know about fashion and fascinators
Plenty of the riders had the same thought but, surprisingly for riders, generally much better coloured legs (the fake tan bottle may have been getting a work out in the trucks during the long journeys to Adelaide). Of course, there was the official prize awarded for the Best Dressed male and female, chosen by Shauna Voon (a fashion blogger from Adelaide with apparently a big international following) and Lachlan Aird (Head of Marketing and Communications at Australian Fashion Labels).
The very cool John Twomey (above) and the very hot Michaela Martindale (below)
Photo: Stephen Mowbray
Shauna and Lachlan chose John Twomey and Michaela Martindale as the recipients of horse and rider gear worth $1500 to each winner thanks to the sponsor Horseware Ireland.
We have to agree that we loved John Twomey’s look – very cool and stylish and Michaela looked hot (in a nice way) and stylish in a fantastic flamingo pink outfit (please note I am making this up as I go along as I am not a fashion blogger and doubt that anyone following would really be able to tell the difference between shades of pink, unless it is on a horse’s gums)
However we still like to dish out our own awards and feel that there are several other horse and rider combinations worthy of mention.
Stuart Tinney with Pluto Mio (above) and Andrew Cooper with Black Crest (below)
Stuart Tinney and Andrew Cooper followed each other in the CCI4* trot up and both showed good legs in their shorts (very Christian Landolt). Andrew’s sunnies were precariously positioned as he trotted up Black Crest but the coolest sunnies of the day definitely were worn by one of our international visitors, Clarke Johnstone.
Clarke and Balmoral Sensation Photo: Stephen Mowbray
Clarke’s amazing blue sunglasses matched the sky-blue (there I go again – no idea what colour they really are) trousers and both were worn with a great air of insouciance. If the Top-Gun sunnies are an indication of intention, Clarke means business and will be taking no prisoners here this year.
Soigne Jackson and Gold Photo: Stephen Mowbray
Soigne Jackson is just gorgeous – there is no other way of saying it and her 15 year old thoroughbred Gold was gleaming. We have seen this black and white outfit before but still love it and also the fact that it mirrors Soigne’s cross country colours; they are another pair to watch off the runway this year too in the CCI4* - they were third here last year
More great shorts - this time on Western Australia's Makayla Wood
Yona Lloyd and Sergeant Crisp got a big cheer from their fan group just for being accepted – heavens knows what will happen on cross country when they come home!
After a long drive from Victoria Yona’s worst moment of the journey was 100 metres from the stables when they were nearly wiped out by another car turning into Victoria Park. Yona had to slam on the brakes and Sarah Klas’ horse The Prankster went down but thankfully both Sergeant Crisp and The Prankster managed to extricate themselves without damage.
Excellent moment of suspension from Yona Photo: Stephen Mowbray
Molly Barry and La Muso
In the CCI2*, special mention should be made of Molly Barry’s outfit – a beautiful cream dress matched by short, sensible boots – and La Muso was another chestnut that just gleamed in the sun. We also loved the pale blue jacket matched with dark blue skirt of another Victorian rider, Rebekah McDougall, whose trot up outfit is also reminiscent of her cross country colours
Rebekah McDougall and ESB Irish Patience
Having got the important fashion stakes out of way, the Ground Jury also had their job to do
A few combinations including Wendy Schaeffer and Sun Showers (once again inexplicably in the CCI2* instead of the 4* - we’ll find out more tomorrow) were asked to trot again in the CCI2* while Tegan Lush’s Belfast Mojito and Michael Dagostino’s Kendelton Park Supreme were sent to the holding box. Tegan opted to withdraw while Michael passed on representing and there were no dramas at all with the CCI4* horses
It must be a relief for visiting British rider Alice Dunsdon to get the first horse inspection out of the way with all the media attention
While today was quite overcast and oppressively hot at about 38 degrees, the sun is set to shine again tomorrow which will make it tough for the CCI2* combinations in the dressage arena. Local rider Cooper Oborn rides the test ride then Sarah Clark and her grey gelding Bellhaven Cardentice are the first competitors in the arena
Thankfully, it is set to cool down on Friday with some possible showers that course designer Mike Etherington-Smith is hoping will eventuate. We caught up with Mike for a chat and will bring that video interview to you soon ....
For now, it’s over and out from Adelaide with lots of love being sent to Libby in hospital in Melbourne
