Photo by John Lechner
“I couldn’t be happier,” said Megan Jones (pictured above) after her win in the Bates Saddles CIC3* at the Equestriad Event. “Allofasudden just felt great out there today. He is such an experienced horse at this level that I think he could almost go out and do it on his own. He never gave me any bad moments on cross country, he was just straight and honest. In the showjumping he again showed his experience, jumping clear round what proved to be a tricky course.”
Photo by John Lechner
Lying second after cross country Megan had to show jump clear to keep the pressure on cross country leader, Shane Rose who was riding the stallion Statford Neo. Sadly Neo had once fence down, which marred an otherwise good round. “He is really pretty green at this level,” admitted Shane “so I’m pleased with how he has gone this weekend. He coped well with all the questions I asked of him on the cross country course and I think I’m lucky to have such a great horse for the future.” Shane’s four penalties dropped him back to finish third as John Twomey jumped a super clear round with Wade Equine Highly Recommended and moved up to second. “I’m delighted,” said a smiling John. “I just love riding this horse. I trust him completely and he has given me a great weekend. Our dressage could have been better but it was pretty windy yesterday, which didn’t really help any of us. Having said that we have finished on our dressage score and how can I not be happy with that.” John will now aim Highly Recommended, along with his grey horse Flaunt it, at Adelaide CCI4*.
John jumps in the water ... smiling. Photo by John Lechner
The Wayne Copping designed cross country course proved to be tough enough with only ten riders managing clear rounds. Stuart Tinney didn’t have the best day in the office, starting with a very un-characteristic fall from Orchard Hill at the first water complex. Later in the class Stuart had his second ride, this time on Panamera, who look good cross country but was withdrawn prior to show jumping.
One of the fences to cause problems was at the furthest point on the course where riders had run up a hill to jump through a shed, which was followed three strides later by a big corner. Natalie Blundell and Algebra who would have been hoping for an impressive result at Equestriad was one rider to fall victim to this corner. Then in the show jumping the pair had two rails down, which saw them finish ninth. Christine Bates, like many of the other top riders, had a busy weekend riding five horses in various classes. In the CIC3* she rode Delago, who like Algebra had a run off at the corner after the shed. “He was just a bit green and it was a tricky line. He jumped it second time without a problem.” Adelaide Hill went clear with 5.2 time penalties and then had a surprising rail down in the show jumping. “He usually jumps clear, so this is maybe his one rail down for the year,” said Christine. It was still a good result for the pair, who finished fourth. Christine also picked up another fourth place in the CIC2* with Corambo and a second in the preliminary class on Double Vision.
Natalie Blundell and Algebra leap into the water and finish ninth overall
In the Horseland CIC2* Belinda Isbister, riding Holy Bruce, won the class adding nothing to their dressage score of 46.1. Belinda had been lying second after cross country but a rail down from cross country leader Shane Rose and Virgil saw them drop back from the lead into second place. With such large numbers in the CIC* the class was split into two sections. Rachael Lee and Bailieu won the Horse and Ride Shop section, while George Sheridan and What An Ace won the Equitak Excel section. George led the class from start to finish, ahead of Samantha Pilz and Fairbanks Regazzenie.
Australian selectors Jim Dunn and Georgia Clifford watch the CIC3* showjumping. Is their job getting any easier? ...
Since the Equestriad event started a few years ago the atmosphere of the event has steadily grown. This weekend was without doubt the best so far. With the big screen showing cross country action to those who wanted to stay close to the main arena there was no excuse for missing anything. I understand that Peter Haynes, from In the Limelight, was instrumental in bringing in the film coverage company and with three cameras covering the event this year and more planned for next year there seems to be no stopping this event from getting better and better. Certainly the Equestriad committee should to be congratulated on a fantastic event, which appeared to run smoothly from start to finish. Despite the wind causing a few problems on Saturday and the usual unavoidable delays today, when riders have to be held due to problems on course, the prize giving for the CIC3* took place around 4pm, with the whole day wrapping up, as far as the competitors were concerned by 5pm. Running 600 horses over two days of competition is a huge task and to do it successfully is even harder. Equestriad undoubtedly managed to do it successfully and with style … roll on next year!
To hear what Megan Jones thought about the weekend click on the icon below.
(Apologies for cutting Megan a bit short at the end of the interview - I must remember to switch off my phone when doing interviews ... on my phone!)
For final results from all classes CLICK HERE
