Power drills were needed to secure dressage arenas
The wind blew, the dressage arenas fell over and stall holders desperately tried to hold onto their tents but that didn't stop the enthusiastic 600 or so riders getting organised to start a weekend of eventing at Equestriad.
The dressage for all of the classes started at 8am with Stuart Tinney and Orchard Hill the first combination in the 35 strong field of the CIC3*. Luckily the 3* arena stood up to the wind but the arena next door, which was running the CIC*, fell down several times resulting in dressage judge, Beth Turner, jumping from her car to help resurrect the board. Eventually some power drills were needed!
Meanwhile Christine Bates and Delago, who were second on the programme, produced a score of 50.1 and a few riders later Megan Jones and Allofasudden duplicated that score. At the end of the day these two riders finished in equal fifth. Without doubt the rider with most ‘bling’ in the 3* was Lauren Balcomb and Kootamootoo - see below. Whether the bling helped Lauren to get the score of 46.5 we will never know, but she produced a very neat, accurate test, which certainly deserved to be up close to the top of the board and sitting in second place at the finish of they class, they managed just that.
Photo: John Lechner
However the test of the day, as far as the judges Helen Christie and Ross Spalding were concerned, came from Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliot, (pictured below) who scored 41.7. It might not have been the pair’s best test, as there were a few marks thrown away in certain movements (the counter canter that didn’t go right back to the track and the halt and rein back, which lacked some polish). That said it is hard to not be drawn in by this horses quality and presence and Tim sits as overnight leader five marks ahead of Lauren.
In third place is Christine Bates and Adelaide Hill on a score of 48.6. Adelaide Hill was looking pretty fresh and keen in the warm up but just about held it together in the arena and Christine will no doubt be keen to add nothing to that score tomorrow.
Adelaide Hill gets a pat from Christine. Photo: John Lechner
New dad, Shane Rose, was seen ‘multi- tasking’ during the day, doing various jobs, but he did manage to fit in a few rides including two in the CIC3*. On the stallion Statford Neo (below) he finished fourth on 49.5, while APH Moritz got a little tense, which was reflected in the score of 51.3.
Photo: John Lechner
Panamera was another horse looking keen to get on with the job but made a few minor mistakes during the test. “She was pretty sprightly,” said Stuart “but for a one day event where I am riding five horses it was ok.” The mare’s score of 51 left the pair in 7th place.
Tomorrow will be another busy day as riders tackle their show jumping and cross country, although some of the lower levels did their cross country and show jumping today. With so much going on it was really nice to see that when the call went out for help to jump judge even riders in the higher levels came out to help – John Twoomey being one of them. When it came time for the CIC* showjumping judge needing a penciller, CIC3* ground jury member Helen Christie was more than happy to help. “It just goes to show it doesn’t matter who you are, you can always help,” said Michelle Hasibar, the events co-ordinator.
Day one nearly over and the tradestands are still standing
I caught up with Michelle at the end of the day, click on the icon below to hear what she had to say about Equestriad.
For Saturday's photo gallery CLICK HERE
For Provisional Results CLICK HERE
