Shane and CP Qualified go into the lead after dressage
As part of his final WEG preparations Shane Rose rode CP Qualified in the CNC3* at this weekend's Randwick Equine Centre Sydney Eventing Winter Classic where he now sits in a comfortable lead after his dressage on a score of 37.2. The CNC3* riders rode the FEI3* A (2014) test which gave not just riders but judges their first attempt at this test.
“Obviously you make sure you are familiar with the test before you judge it,” said Carolyn James (who was judging the 3* along with Peter Shaw today) “And prior to judging, Peter and I sat down and studied any areas of the test which might cause us particular concern. Interestingly in this test one of the movements is a medium canter down the long side, so that means a transition at the start and finish of the medium canter but the transitions into and out of that medium canter aren’t marked until the following movement, which is a half 10 metre circle and back to the track. So it’s those sort of things you have to keep in mind … along with everything else!”
Stuart Tinney and the whiter than white Pluto Mio
Shane enjoyed good rides on both of his horses, the other being Taurus who finished just behind his stable mate on 40.4. Stuart Tinney would have been equal second on Pluto Mio had it not been for an uncharacteristic error of course. It has to be said that Stuart wasn’t the only rider to pick up two unwanted penalties – obviously due to the fact that new tests were being used in both the 3* and 2*.
Two happy spectators enjoying the day
As friends and supporters braved the chilly Sydney weather we caught up with two people who weren’t connected to any rider but had simply come out to SIEC to enjoy a day watching some top horses strut their stuff! We all know that here in Australia we don't always get many spectators to come along to our one day events so we had to ask them more …
Sadly I didn’t see Lauren Balcomb’s test on Guido Hatzis but it must have been another good one as they finished the day at the top of the leaderboard in the Ariat CNC2* on a score of 46.5. Eleanor Osborne and Highborne Rocker are close behind on 47.8 while Prue Barrett and Sandhills Special are third on 48.9. “It’s ‘Specials’ first 2* and considering I’m not always able to ride her as much as I would ideally like to she was still pretty good” said Prue.
Claire Earle with Rusty and her supportive family
While the higher level classes only had to ride their dressage tests today, some of the lower level riders were kept busy completing all three phases. One of those riders was Claire Earle who at the end of the day finished in 13th place in the EvA60 A. However it wasn’t Claire’s result that prompted me to talk to her it was the beaming smile she had as she cantered through the finish of cross country. As she slowed down, patted her horse and jumped off, she was quickly greeted by her family who looked just as happy. After all the kisses were over (very proud husband kisses his wife below) we asked Claire why she was so happy.
With Kirsten Sharbine, Amelia Coates and Natalie Woods being the winners of today’s completed EvA60 classes we’ll be back at SIEC tomorrow to watch all the action from the remaining classes and with warmer temperatures predicted maybe some of our canine friends will be convinced to throw off their coats and enjoy some winter sunshine!
It's a dog's life at SIEC!
