it was a little wet in the warm up arena
There was only one subject high on the list of conversation today at SIEC and that was the weather – or actually to be more precise the rain and there was plenty of it to talk about! It certainly didn’t make it for easy reporting with everybody trying their best to stay out of the weather and inside their trucks. Those people I managed to speak to basically all said the same thing, which was along the lines of ‘Why are we doing this? and ‘we must be mad!’
Although the EvA60 and EvA80 classes completed the whole event today everyone else will be fronting up tomorrow to complete their class. Adding to the rain tomorrow it is forecast to have storms … good job eventers are made of stern stuff!
Sam Lyle get's his legs muddy
The first horse in the CNC3* was Wendy Schaeffer riding the appropriately named Sun Showers who produced a test which saw her finish in fifth place on a score of 51.3. At the end of a very wet day the dressage leader was Emma Scott riding Mustang on 45.9, while Shane Rose and Virgil were only a breath behind on 47.1.
Emma Mason is leading the CNC2* on Poker Face, which is hopefully making up for the ‘less that desirable’ start she had to this event. “The lights in my truck were playing up on the way here this morning,” said Emma “and driving without lights isn’t ideal. Hopefully I’ll find someone who can sort them before we have to drive home on Sunday night.”
An EvA80 rider braves the elements on the cross country course
The CNC* class was split into two sections with Shane Rose and APH Rusalka leading section A on a score of 45.3 and Jack Hayden leading section B with Jaybee Calypso on 40.6.
In the two EvA105 sections both leaders, Carlene Barton and Stephanie McLuckin are on the same score of 39.6.
Penny Rose, who together with husband John, have the title of Mess Hall Managers was excited to see her 10 year old grand daughter, Bek, finishing sixth in the EvA60 junior class. “She really wanted to beat Oliver Barrett,” said Penny. “When she discovered she hadn’t managed to do it has just made her all the more determined to do even better next time.” It looks as if the next generation of eventers are going to be just as competitive as their parents and Uncles.
Tim Boland leaves the arena still smiling ... or was it a grimace?
Tomorrow sees cross country getting underway at 8am with the CNC* and by around 4pm everyone will no doubt be looking forward to driving home and getting dry!
“Eventers are amazing,” said Rosemary Allen, who is secretary of the Sydney @ SIEC Eventing committee. “Although a lot of hard work goes into putting an event like this on it is all made worthwhile when you see the riders all turning up and smiling … despite the weather. Mind you,” she added, “my husband still thinks I’m mad.”
