Judy Clarke and Diablito
Read our morning report with Amanda Ross interview here
As the day wore on in Adelaide the heat was getting to some of the horses and riders strutting their stuff in front of the Heritage Grandstand. The elegant, restored Grandstand provides good shade for many of the spectators but for the riders who warm up and compete in the full sun, it was a very warm 35 degrees today, especially in full dressage garb.
Judy Clark’s Diablito was always going to be one with the capability to challenge Amanda Ross’ leading score of 37.40 from the morning session and indeed they finished the day in second place, but a little off the leader’s pace on a score of 44.50. This pair, that often competes at Prix St Georges level, produced a lovely test but today the heat may have affected the lovely 17 year old chestnut warmblood gelding
Judy Clarke
Megan and the stunning ex-show hunter, History
Judy’s performance moved Megan Jones riding History down into third place on 45.10. Megan will be riding Kirby Park Allofasudden in the CCI4* dressage tomorrow and we found out more about her 4* horse’s unusual preparation for this event after she had completed her dressage on History
A few tips from Shane Rose as Sam Lyle and Glenorchy South Park warm up
Glenorchy South Park is a well-known horse in eventing circles but it was quite a surprise to see Sam Lyle’s name against this horse on the start list. Glenorchy South Park, a ten year old off the track gelding, is normally ridden by Niki Rose but today Niki’s feet stayed firmly on the ground and Sam swung into the saddle, one of three rides for him in the CCI2*.
“I recently discovered that I am pregnant and, although I rode at Goulburn and Tamworth, I was told after that that I’m expecting twins” said Niki “There is a little more risk associated with a twin pregnancy so I decided to play safe, especially around a big course like this, and decided to have someone else ride Glenorchy South Park”
And why not Shane Rose, her husband?
“I asked him and he said no” laughs Niki “So I decided to spend some money and get Sam!”
Sam did a fantastic job to score 47.30 and finish the day in fourth place; his other horses Satch Hill and Jimmy are in 13th and 22nd
One of the earliest riders of the day, Western Australian Tegan Lush riding Touchstone Felix, an eight year old Australian Stockhorse, is in fifth place with a score of 49.90 but the very experienced Christine Bates is hot on her heels with a score of 50 riding Ned O’Reilly.
Madeline Wilson and Mumbo Jumbo lead the Young Rider class
Two Young Rider competitors then take seventh and eighth place – Madeline Wilson and her recent purchase Mumbo Jumbo, previously ridden by Alex Townsend and another off the track thoroughbred, Ballyhoo ridden by Shenae Lowings. This means that Madeline leads the Horseland CCI2* Young Rider competition with just one more combination in this class to compete tomorrow
Eight combinations in total are left to go in the CCI2* dressage phase which continues first thing in the morning before the CCI4* riders take to the arena at 10am
