With dressage day over, Tim Boland riding GV Billy Elliot leads the CIC3* field on a score of 39.3 after a beautiful test which Tim himself was understandably very happy with. “He was really good,” said Tim, “so I’m very pleased. I was in Hong Kong for a couple of weeks leading up to this event but it seems that his test was even better for me being away. Hopefully if I ride well enough tomorrow we should come out of this event with a really good result … something that will impress the selectors.”
Lying in second place is Stuart Tinney, riding Tim Game’s Adelaide winning horse Panamera on a score of 41.4. Stuart is also lying 5th on John and Jane Pittard’s Pluto Mio.
After a hot day Pluto Mio was happy to spend some time in his compression suit.
Shane Rose (pictured above) had two horses in the CIC3* and finished 8th on his first ride of the day, the stallion Statford Neo, while APH Moritz looked very happy in his test to score 44.7 which left him in 3rd place. Lauren Balcomb looked very pleased with her performance, riding Kootamootoo into 4th place. Emma Mason (below) who celebrated her 30th birthday last week was happy with her test on F1 Pharinelli but a little disappointed with the mark (47.4). “He felt really good today and I had expected the score to be a little better. But that’s the way it goes. There are two other phases to go so hopefully tomorrow we will move up the leaderboard.”
In the CIC2* Christine Bates will take home the $100 being given to the dressage leaders of the international classes. Riding Adelaide Hill Christine finished on a score of 47.5, nearly five marks ahead of second placed Annabel Armstrong riding Bubble and Squeak. Megan Bryant and Talinga Cavalier were 3rd on a score of 54.7.
Christine doubled up on her dressage winnings when she also found herself in the lead of the CIC* this time clocking up a score of 43.4 riding Corambo, who was previously ridden by Dominic Ingvall. But there will be all to play for tomorrow with Shane Rose breathing down Christine’s neck in 2nd place on a score of 43.8. Tallara Barwick and A Horse called Wanda filled 3rd place on 47.5.
The Introductory and Newcomer classes were run as a true one day event with all phases taking place today. In the Introductory A class Alexandra Townsend led the class from start to finish and finished on a score of 41.4 riding her own WHF Montpellier. The Introductory B saw the top two riders Dale Frew riding APH Solace and Jessica Milham riding Annie finishing on the same impressive score of 16.2. However, Dale was just closer to the optimum time and won the class. The junior introductory was won by Miranda Lynch and Turners Stud Basalt on 33.
Spectators watch the dressage in the sun
Newcomers might be the grade with the lowest fences but the competition was as toughly fought out as the 3*. In the open division Tara Kelly won the class on 46.8, with Caroline Burr on 49. The junior division was won by Inga Neilsen riding Beat the Tide, while a very happy Kelsy Szczepanik riding Allengreen Gift finished second. “The rider in front of me fell off on the cross country course and there was a bit of confusion over my time. Once that was sorted out I was very happy to find out I was in 2nd place,” said Kelsy.
As the dressage arenas were taken down the show jumping course was being built, but before tomorrows action there is some Saturday night entertainment with the ever popular bareback showjumping taking place.
CIC3* judge Vicki Brydon keeps her eye on the job
