The weather was perfect for eventing at Wandin Park today – cool and overcast but, even with a downpour yesterday, the unescapable Australian dust was still being kicked up on the grass dressage warm-up area although the arenas were in good condition. However, even through the dust haze, the backdrop at Wandin Park is impressive with the Warburton Ranges rising in the background as the riders in the dressage arenas on top of the hill strutted their stuff.
One rider who looked particularly good this morning was Linda Williams riding Linbil White Russian (above) in the PreNovice Section 1. This 17.1hh dun horse attracts attention before he enters the arena simply due to his size and colour but once he gets moving, he really has people looking. The combination finished the day in third place on a score of 43.2 and we had a quick chat with Linda as she left the arena and will upload video of his test soon.
Linda Williams talks about Linbil White Russian (apologies for the wind noise!)
The leader in this class after dressage is Emily Anker on Glenwood Park Nichols & Dimes (below) on a great score of 30, well ahead of second placed Rob Palm and Parklands Oakley (41.4) and Linda on Linbil White Russian.
Emily was really pleased with the six year old chestnut by Wirragulla Nicklaus who she has been riding for the past 18 months (and quite a few of those while pregnant!). He isn’t very big – just 16hh, his stable name is Speedy (although apparently not) and, sadly we didn’t get a photo of his dressage test but Em and he obliged later, as did baby son Ethan. In the Pre Novice Section 2 Erin Funk and Jirrima Cricket lead the way
Ethan Anker goes back to mum between rides
All 20 sections did their dressage phase today and Training Sections 3, 4 and 5 completed all of their phases to head home nice and early to enjoy a day off tomorrow (or Pony Club, as one mother pointed out). The winners of these were Annika Van Vuren (Training 5), Sophie Chilcott (Training 4 Section 1), Brodie Harrison (Training 4 Section 2) and Vickey White (Training 3)
The four Introductory sections also completed their show jumping phase today and the leaders in each of these classes are Jennifer Peck (Intro 4), Sharlene Wilson (Intro 3), Lucy Gunn (Intro 2) and Vaughan Ellis (Intro 1).
Vaughan Ellis and Northern Isaac
In the Preliminary Section 4 a familiar face with an unfamiliar name was enjoying a return to eventing. Many will remember Kate Farrell and Jabberwocky who had much success a few years ago; now known as Kate Beadel and riding a grey thoroughbred called Cloud, Kate was delighted to be back at Wandin Park
‘Riders of my generation look at Wandin as a special event and it’s great to be back, even at Preliminary level’
Kate Beadel (nee Farrell) and Cloud
Kate looks too young to be referring to ‘her generation’ but there is no doubt about her excitement at being back, especially with a horse who she thinks has the potential to go all the way. However, having been sure she wasn’t going to event again, she had sold her dressage saddle so today rode her test in a jumping saddle! Even in a jumping saddle it was a nice test for a horse at his second outing and Kate was pleased; they are in 7th place in the Prelim 4 which is led by Kylie Pedder and Aris Amerigo
The top guns came out later in the day with Amanda Ross leading the RACV CIC 2* class on William Wordsworth (above) and the Pryde’s CIC 1*Section 2 on Loxley while Juana Andreou and Sunvalley Donnerhe (below) leads the Stubben CIC 3*. Natalie Peacock and Roskymar Prince Noreah lead the CIC 1* Section 1 heading into tomorrow’s cross country
