Shane Rose and Taurus (above) held onto their overnight lead in the Equestrian NSW CCI3* after a foot perfect round, which saw them finish right on the optimum time.
“He’s a great horse,” said Shane “and although he was a little keen out there today I can’t really ask for any more than to go clear and under time, or even finish on the time.”
Shane was one of three riders to finish on the optimum time the second being Emma Scott riding Mustang.
“He was awesome. I’m so happy,” Emma said once she was back at the stables giving Mustang a well deserved pat. “He felt really good and I have had such a huge amount of support this weekend from so many of my friends and family that it’s lovely to be able to do well. He seems to have pulled up well so we’ll just have to see what tomorrow brings.” Emma’s performance moved her up from fourth to second, which means she is just one rail and a fraction of time behind Shane.
Remaining in third place is Megan Jones and Kirby Park Allofasudden. Megan was held on course while Fence 22 was being removed after it had been damaged by Under the Clocks and Murray Lamperd who had a fall. The fence was subsequently taken out of the course. Although Megan didn’t look quite a fast as some riders coming through the corners in the main arena and then running back up the hill they obviously made up time elsewhere, because they finished just six seconds over the optimum time of 10.12.
Tim Boland kept his focus today and must have been happy with his round on GV Billy Elliot. The pair went clear but a few time penalties saw them drop down the order a little into sixth place. Nevertheless it was an impressive performance from someone who doesn’t always have as much time as he would like to have to devote to his riding … something to do with lots of racehorses getting in the way!
Emma Mason (above) was a little cross to pick up 1.6 time penalties on F1 Pharinelli but was happy with the way everything else had gone. “It was such an hilly course that it was difficult to make up time anywhere but as I was galloping along I heard the commentator say that Stuart (Tinney) had just finished clear and under time so that made me kick on towards the end.” Emma’s overnight score of 49.2 leaves her two rails off the leader.
Another rider who had to deal with being stopped on course was Christine Bates and Adelaide Hill, (above) but for a professional rider like Christine it is just one of those things you just have to deal with. “It’s not something you want to happen but for whatever reason it does happen from time to time so you just have to make sure you stay focused and get your horse focused as you set off again. I was really pleased with Adelaide Hill. It felt like quite a tough course but a good course. To me it rode a bit like the four star at Adelaide last year in the fact that the fences just kept coming at you thick and fast. But it was a great course to ride and to finish right on the optimum time is always nice!” Christine’s performance moved her up from eleventh to seventh.
The only rider to go under the time, albeit by two seconds, was Stuart Tinney riding the grey Pluto Mio (above). They finished clear, finishing on a score of 49.4, just 0.4 behind Emma Mason and in fifth place.
There were very few problems in the CCI3*, which is surely proof of what a good job the course designer did. There was great clarity in the questions he asked the riders. Nothing was trappy or out to trick riders. Distances were good and riders, but more importantly horses, came home having had a good ride over a great three star track, which will stand them in good steed for future events.
NB. At the time of being published the CCI3* results were still provisional
In the CIC2* Robert Palm, riding Koko Black, snuck ahead of Shane Rose and Wisteria Lane with a clear and under time cross country round. Shane lost his overnight lead on Virgil when the pair missed the line to the brush after the drop fence and then parted company at the water. “He just showed a bit of greenness but he’s only young so that’s fine,” said Shane. Sitting in third place is Christine Bates and the talented grey Corambo, but with less that a rail separating the top five there will everything to play for tomorrow.
The top three places in the CIC* didn’t change after cross country so Megan Jones remains in the lead riding Kirby Park Irish Empress, with Emma Mason and Tanya Harding hot on her heels.
