This weekend sees not only the Australian based elite riders competing at the WHK International Horse trials in Albury but across the water in the UK many of our European based eventers are also having a run at Belton Park in Grantham, Lincolnshire.
Emma Dougall and Kelecyn Ice Age at the Australian International 3DE 2011
There are 108 entries in the CCI 3* amongst which are Australians Sam Griffiths and Happy Times, Paul Tapner on Kilronan and Inonothing and Emma Dougall and Kelecyn Ice Age. The competition is tough (as you would expect from a field of 108) including Toddy on NZB Campino and NZB Grass Valley, Andrew Nicholson on Calico Joe and a raft of top British competitors including Mary King with Apache Sauce and Imperial Cavalier, Pippa Funnell, Oliver Townend and many more.
According to Paul Tapner on Twitter (@TapnerEventing) Kilronan had a good test, scoring 49 which was an improvement of 10 marks on his last 3* test so Paul seemed pretty happy.
Catherine Burrell and Urzan at Blenheim
In the Advanced Section the Australians riders are Bill Levett on Ballymore Rich Cat, One Two Many NJ and Hippolyte (is this his first major run back since injury?), Paul Tapner on Wickstead Didgeridoo, Andrew Hoy on Rutherglen and Cheeky Calimbo, Sam Griffiths on Paulank Brockagh and Catherine Burrell on Urzan. Again, this is a tough class with top competitors such as Caroline Powell and the lovely Lenamore, Andrew Nicholson on Avebury and Mr Cruise Control and the young Kiwi Jock Paget on Clifton Lush and Clifton Promise
But wait.....there’s more! In the Open Intermediate Australian Bill Levett has Alexander NJ and JW Farro while Brook Staples is riding Ever So Clever III. This seems to be the William Fox-Pitt class as William is riding Avoca Alibi, Bay My Hero and Gaucho although my particular favourite for this class is Louisa Milne Home riding a horse called Elton John. I can just imagine the commentary...
One of our favourite UK based eventing bloggers (blog.talkinghorse.net) has commented that Belton CIC 3* is “where Badminton really begins” and that “It's like having a super short format Badminton or Burghley, or a mini Olympics”. We’re delighted that we’ll be getting a quick summary of the event thanks to Dominic from talkinghorse so check back early next week to hear his summary of how the Aussies fared in this amazing field of eventing talent
Meanwhile we’ll be bringing you all the Australian based action from Albury where top riders such as Stuart Tinney, Shane Rose, Emma Mason, Tim Boland, Emma Scott, Craig Barrett and Christine Bates will be doing battle
I wonder what sane people do on the weekend?
