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Judy and Diablito on their way to their first 3* win
Judy Clarke last competed at 3* level 15 years ago but her comeback to this level of competition at the Randwick Equine Centre Sydney Eventing Winter Classic this weekend was a popular win. Judy and her chestnut gelding Diablito stormed ahead during the dressage phase with more than a 10 point lead and followed it up with a beautiful clear show jumping round this morning. During the cross country phase however Judy used up her big lead in time penalties when she jumped a 2* fence by mistake and had to return to jump the 3* but they eventually finished 2.3 penalties ahead of Tim Boland on Napoleon to take the win
Judy hails from Werombi in NSW and we caught up with her and one of neighbours Niki Rose who was also a winner today in the EvA 105A riding Wisteria Lane.
Judy Clarke and Niki Rose
Little Olivia helps mum Niki receive her rug from Chris Elliott of Randwick Equine Centre, sponsors of the event
For those who didn’t want to run around the 3* cross country but wanted the chance to practise their 3* dressage and show jumping in conjunction with a 2* cross country, the Advanced Intermediate class gave the perfect opportunity this weekend. Katie Roots led this class after dressage but had a few rails on Trevalgar II in the show jumping letting Stuart Tinney and Pluto Mio, who had show jumped clear, move ahead. However Stuart went at a fairly leisurely pace around the cross country course and Katie regained the lead with fewer time penalties.
In the actual CNC2* class, ‘part time’ rider Prue Barrett moved up from second place after dressage on the home bred Sandhills Special to win with a clear show jumping round and only time penalties on the cross country course. Prue, who is of course Equestrian Australia’s National Performance Director of Eventing, is a busy lady but luckily this is a ‘special’ young horse that can be left in the paddock for a while then come up with the goods at the right time
Gemma Tinney and My Thai
Prue incurred 10.4 time penalties and although no-one in this class made the time the two fastest rounds came from two Junior riders, Gemma Tinney and Rosie Cohen. Gemma jumped clear with only 5.6 time penalties on My Thai to finish in seventh place overall and was the winning Junior rider at her first 2* start
“I loved riding my first ever 2* and Thai was great, he did everything I asked of him. We both had fun, especially on the cross country; we didn’t make time but the few fences I was a bit worried about, such as the skinnies, he jumped fantastically which gave me lots of confidence. I’m hoping to qualify for Adelaide this year but it has to fit in around my HSC studies - but after today I can’t wait for my next run!” said Gemma who was also seventh in the CNC1* Division B on Prado
The winner of that class was Jessica Rae riding Rascal, a six year old by Regardez Moi who certainly was a bit of a rascal when he was very young according to Jessica.
“He can still be a bit tricky and cold backed when you first get on him but once he’s worked through that he’s just great. He’s naturally talented and finds it all quite easy so I’ve just got to be careful not to push too hard too fast”
She also has another up and coming horse, the eight year old San Suki that finished third in the CNC2* today and with these two talented youngsters she is looking forward to hopefully getting back up the grades after her top horse Plenary Indulgence had to be retired before Adelaide last year
The winner of the CNC1* Division A was Belmont Backstage ridden by Jessica Grossman. The top three in this class - Jessica, George Sheridan and Olivia Barton - all finished on their dressage score, which no-one else managed to achieve in the other star classes today but both winners of the EvA105, Niki Rose and Soigne Jackson, also managed to pull this off.
Soigne moved Ultimate Velocity up to the EvA105 when she discovered that the EvA95 class was full and he proved that it was the right decision, despite being back in work for only four weeks after an injury
And last but not least well done to Nat Blundell, Sam Lyle and Samantha Pilz who took out the EvA95 classes – we’ve got more photos, videos, interviews and thoughts from cross country course designer Stuart Tinney coming up so stay tuned for more from the Randwick Equine Centre Sydney Eventing Winter Classic ...........
