With the temperature forecast to reach 34 degrees on Saturday on the Surf Coast area of Victoria, you had better pack your sunscreen and shorts for Lakes and Craters this weekend. If you’re just coming along for the ride via our coverage on AEL, at least you don’t have to worry about the sunburn
The event starts on Thursday with the First Horse Inspection and dressage for the CCNEAJnr105, CCNEA105 Section A and B sections in the morning and the CIYR*dressage in the afternoon.
On Friday the weather is supposed to warm up to about 32 degrees so it’s going to be a bit warmer for those donning their top hats and tails….and of course the hottest day has to be cross country day on Saturday. The organisers have warned competitors to be prepared for an early start if need be which means our video boys had better be ready early too as we’ll be videoing every cross country round on the hilly terrain of the Lakes and Craters event and should get some marvellous footage.
Amanda Ross will be bringing the two chestnuts before they head over to the UK next year
According to the Acceptance list and Draw currently available there are only three competitors in both the CCI 3* and the CIC 3* and nine in the CCI 2*. The CCI 1* has some good entries with approximately 30 competitors including Murray Lamperd bringing two young horses (last seen frisking on the beach) Routino and Don Skipcello, Megan Jones and the very talented mare Kirby Park Irish Empress, Amanda Ross on Michelle Clough’s two lovely chestnuts Loxley and William Wordsworth and Rob Palm on Koko Doro. There are also 17 entries in CCI 1* Young Rider class including two rides for 19 year old Andrew Cooper who just completed his first 4* event in Adelaide.
As always the lower levels classes are well populated; the CCN EA105 has two sections and a Junior class while the EA95 has three sections and a Junior class.
Luckily there are lots of nice shady areas around the grounds ......
We’ll start our coverage on Thursday evening with a quick round of the first day of dressage and will be there every day to bring you the action from the beautiful area around Camperdown. The event is not known as Lakes and Craters for nothing, being set on the side of the Lake Gnotuk Crater. This scenic park is wedged between a pair of extinct volcano craters with a part of one crater having been flooded by Lake Bullen Merri, making it perfect for water sports such as sailing, waterskiing and swimming. Maybe don’t forget to pack the swimwear too .....
