Robert Palm (above) held onto his overnight lead with the good looking Koko Black in the Baxter Boots CCI3* after a good show jumping round, which saw him take just one rail down. This still left the pair on a finishing score of 64, ten points ahead of second placed Jessica Rae. Robert, who is based in Victoria (having formerly being based in NSW) would, I’m sure, still call himself a New South Welshman at times and certainly still enjoys coming to the NSW events.
Stuart Tinney and Pluto Mio are counted down to the start of cross country
The Baxter Boots CIC3* was a battle between best of friends Stuart Tinney and Shane Rose, with Stuart sitting in the lead after dressage on a score of 45.2.
“I told Stuart he wasn’t allowed to let Shane overtake him,” joked Karen Tinney, “and he didn’t.”
Stuart made the cross country course look easy and was happy with the way his weekend had gone. “Although the snow on Friday made the going on dressage day a bit muddy the going out on the cross country today was really good. I think the organisers have done a great job this weekend by giving us a great run prior to Adelaide, where I plan to take John and Jane Pittard’s Pluto Mio. We are very lucky to have John and Jane as owners and would like to thank them for all the support they give us. I will probably take Pluto to Canberra in a couple of weeks time but might not run cross country.”
See Stuart jump through the water below
Stuart clocked up the second fastest time of the day picking up 7.2 time penalties on cross country with the fastest time of the class recorded by Natalie Siiakoski riding Smart Show Off who came in just eight seconds over the optimum time of seven minutes. Shane Rose remained on his dressage placings of second and third on APH Moritz and Virgil throughout the event, going clear of jumping penalties in cross country and show jumping.
“Well done old man,” were Shane’s words to Stuart after the prize giving “I suppose you have to beat me sometimes.”
Will Enzinger (above) moved up from fifth after dressage to take the win in the Baxter Boots CIC2* after clear cross country and show jumping rounds on board Flowervale Maserati. This pair recently won the CNC2* at Avenel and look on track for a great partnership even though their win here this weekend was just 0.1 ahead of second placed Christine Bates riding Delago. Emma Mason on Poker Face, who were lying eighth after dressage, ended up third after enjoying good clear rounds in both cross country and show jumping.
“I’m not taking F1 Pharinelli to Adelaide this year but I might take Poker Face in the two star because I don’t want to miss out on not being there,” admitted Emma. Dressage leader Shane Rose and CP Qualified opted to retire on cross country when he felt things were going quite right. “After we had a stop at the road crossing complex there was no point in jumping the last couple of fences … he’ll keep for another day.”
Charlotte Price made the Equitak Excel CCI* look pretty easy. Riding Dustbin, Charlotte led the class from start to finish ahead of Stevie Shakoff, who repeated the same feat – but in second place.
While Katja Weimann and BP Escapade won the Imax Gold CIC* in seemingly easy fashion the action was all happening to second place Tim Boland and Umunga. Although Tim had a great ride on Umunga his second ride in the class on dressage leader Lord Limerick came to an aprubt end at fence five when the pair fell.
Looking very sore and sorry for himself Tim said “I’m not sure if I’ve broken my shoulder but I think I have broken a wrist and the other one is not feeling too good either.” Sandy Lucas and Diamond Snagglepuss shot up the leader board from 18th after dressage to finish third. “I didn’t have the best of time in the dressage arenas on my horses this weekend when I was a bit put out about some of the marks but I’m really happy with the way they have jumped.”
As the day drew to a close I caught up with organiser and course designer Neil Kennedy to get his thoughts on how the weekend had gone. Hear what he had to say by clicking on the icon below.
For today's photo gallery with all the action CLICK HERE
