Sydney International 3DE served up a challenge from the start, the dressage arena for the 3*** resembled a mud skating rink by the time the tests started. Rod Winchester of course was not deterred and was there to greet each competitor, here Craig Barrett and Brilliaire, with his usual style. Although the surface looked terrible, it rode fine.
But look at Craig with his hat off after the test! Seems Prue is in charge of his coiffure and with her away with the team in England, it was out with the clippers.
The mud bath that was the dressage arena at SIEC at the weekend had shrunk by showjumping day. When riders came out to walk the course, everyone had to go through the gate to keep their boots clean. Not our Shane Rose though of course. Shane climbed the arena fence and attempted to launch out over the mud, and nearly made it – he’s how he looked over the jump, and after…
Artist Anwen Keeling (have you seen her beautiful painting of Jazz on our September Stallion Directory?) was in the Hospitality Tent on Cross Country Day. Not only did her Dalmatian, Pluto, provide lots of entertainment for the children, Annwen was there to console Helen Diacono when she parted company with Priceless in the water.
Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliot led after the dressage, as has happened at quite a few competitions recently. Time on the cross country has been the problem for the Hanoverian gelding, he’s not one of the almost TBs that the Hanoverians are breeding for eventing. They got close though, only 2.4 time faults.
Nat Blundell and Just A Blonde led up to the showjumping, but it was so close that a couple of rails meant the went down the placings.
How many horses have learnt close their eyes jumping through water??
Here’s Just A Blonde
And Il Vici with Shane Rose last weekend.
Victoria Luxford had a very successful weekend up until the last showjump in the Three Star. She really got the crowd involved in cheering her to hang on to Perfect Encounter and avoid elimination. She nearly made it.
Racenet Bloodstock rewarded the top junior in the Pre-Novice, Taylor Robertson and Rouse About.
The 1* Juana Andreou and Sunvalley Donnerhe (previously ridden by Amanda Ross)
and the 2*, Kirby Delamont and Badger Bay (a former Will Enzinger ride)
All class winners also received Gidgee Sunglasses as modeled by Heath Ryan!
Christine Bates also received the Robert Slade Memorial for winning the 3*, Wayne Roycroft presented the trophy. Here we see Christine and Adelaide Hill with all their ribbons and rug…
and here the Victory Gallop, what happened to all the finery?? Well Adelaide Hill might have come a long way, but he’s still a bit touchy and Christine decided rugs and ribbons might bring on a return to his old habits, and although the arena was miraculously transformed by Sunday, Christine didn’t want end up in it.
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