Jess tries out her prize – a brand new McInerney Ford Kuga
The 2014 CCI4* winners, Jess Manson and her Australian Stockhorse Legal Star, scored another big win last weekend when they took home the Ford Kuga from Eventing in the Park in Perth.
Eventing in the Park returned to the banks of Perth’s Swan River for the third year on Saturday 12th December with large numbers of eventing riders competing in the two classes – the Solid Gold Diamonds Grand Prix Class and the Solid Gold Diamonds Diamond Class. Local riders such as Makayla Wood, Belinda Isbister, Emily Young, Michaela Martindale and Gaby Pither were out in force and were joined by Olympic riders Sonja Johnson, Megan Jones and Wendy Schaeffer
Top eventer Harry Meade made the trip over from the UK to top up his suntan while having a crack at some of the top prizes and Charlie Brister and Shaun Dillon made the trip from NSW. These boys never miss a chance to party and Eventing in the Park is as much about enjoying a day with friends in one of the stylish marquees that ring the arena as it is about eventing.
As well as the prizes on offer for the riders, the Solid Gold Diamonds Fashions on the Field is hotly contested. Talent scouts check out the crowd in search of those that really know how to stand out from the pack and the winner receives a $2,500 Solid Gold Diamonds Gift Voucher
Jess and Legal Star
The riders also have a chance to be decked out in diamonds and the second prize in the Solid Gold Diamonds Grand Prix of diamond jewellery to the value of $12,500 was won by Kate Ingham on Springfield Cezarina with a clear round, just 2.73 seconds off the optimum time. This is the second year that Kate has just missed out on winning the car as Jess Manson and Legal Star also jumped clear but were slightly closer to the time – just 1.32 seconds under!
Solid Gold Diamonds Diamond Class winners Michael Dagostino and Kendlestone Park Supreme (who raced as Western Spur)
Michael Dagostino didn’t fare too well in the Grand Prix, retiring on course, but he had already bagged the big prize in the Solid Gold Diamonds Diamond Class earlier in the day, a McInerney Ford Fiesta. Michael, riding the thoroughbred Kendlestone Park Supreme (who also picked up $1,000 as the Highest Placed Off The Track Racehorse) produced one of 13 clear rounds but was incredibly close to the optimum time, only 1.15 seconds over to win the car.
Glenys Davies took home diamond jewellery to the value of $7,500 thanks to her well timed ride on Awzam for second place; this pair also have a good track record at this event with a second place in 2013 as well. Kate and Glenys certainly have a stash of diamonds now!
One of the many beautifully presented fences - the Joker can have a big influence on the outcome
