The organisers of the Wandin Park CIC not only host a great black tie cocktail party on the Friday night (see the Photo Gallery for more photos), but they also are considerate enough to make the competition start a little later on the Saturday morning.
Friday night party goers
This had a two-fold advantage – not only did everyone have a chance to recover from the night before but it also allowed most of the rain to clear before the first dressage competitors took to the arena. The RACV CIC 3* class started at 11am; it is a small class with only five competitors, all of whom competed at Tonimbuk CIC two weeks ago.
At Tonimbuk Edith Kane and ESB Irish Justice were third after dressage behind Olympic medallist Megan Jones on her two horses but today Edith took the lead ahead of Will Enzinger on TS Jamaimo, Katja Weimann on BP Gallantry, Murray Lamperd on Under the Clocks and Chris Height on Blackall Park Dartagnan.
ESB Irish Justice looking very relaxed!
Edith was happy to be in the lead of course but felt that Irish Justice may have been a little too relaxed
“At Tonimbuk he was a bit buzzy in the dressage in the indoor arena and he got a bit strong there so today I warmed him up a little bit longer. But now I think the warmup was a bit too long – he was very quiet!”
Edith was also impressed with the surface of the grass arena which had recently been aerated for the Grand Valley showjumping championships.
Will Enzinger and Ruban Son, by Regardez Moi
In the Equissage CIC 2* several competitors’ horses seemed to find the turn on the haunches movement in the test a bit stressful but, despite this, there were some promising performances. The joint leaders of the CIC 2* are Will Enzinger on Ruban Son (by Regardez Moi) and Melanie Knill on Alpha Domus on a score of 52.40. Rebekah McDougall and another ESB horse, ESB Irish Patience took third place and Will again in fourth place on Wyuna Clear Image. Will has had a difficult few days with his horse, Wenlock Aquifer, who was to compete here being operated on for colic on Thursday night. Luckily the prognosis is good
Melanie Knill and Alpha Domus
The grass arenas held up well all day with one of the last competitors, Vanessa Canning also commenting on the good footing when she completed her test in the Stubben CIC 1*. Vanessa and her horse, Platinum Fire, like many competitors in the 1* class are hopefully aiming for qualification for the Melbourne International Three Day Event
Platinum Fire is a nine year old and Vanessa was happy with this test ‘for a green horse” as it is only his second test at this level.
Vanessa says that dressage is the most difficult phase for them and is looking forward to the cross country tomorrow being “just a bit of fun”. Vanessa and Platinum Fire are currently in 18th place with the Adam Benson’s dressage star Brookwood Park Feuergrass leading on the great score of 35.30, 8.5 points ahead of Chelsea Priestly and BlameitontheBear in second place
Adam Benson and Brookwood Park Feuergrass
Leading after the dressage phase in the other classes are;
Pre-Novice: Chelsea Priestly and Ashleigh Longtime
Junior Pre-Novice: Sheriden Wilson and Simotty
Preliminary: Narelle Walker and Ego Centrepiece
Introductory 1: Natalie Davies and Chatswood Captivate
Introductory 2: Nicole Stewart and Murray
The MecWorma Young Event Horse also got underway today and will be decided tomorrow
Full results for Saturday now available on the Results page of this website
