Australia Extends Lead Over NZ in Trans-Tasman Eventing Challenge

Stuart Tinney and Pluto Mio tackle Cross Country at the Sydney CCI3*. Photo credit: ESJ Photo

 

Australia has strengthened its lead over New Zealand in the Trans-Tasman Eventing Challenge being contested at the Sydney International Horse Trials despite a member of the team being eliminated for a fall. 

26 year old Emma Scott, who is making her debut for Australia this weekend, became unstuck at the first water of two water jumps, resulting in elimination.

“It’s very disappointing and definitely not the plan but Mustang and I are fine and we will live to see another day.

“We got a nice ride into the pond but on the second stride he (Mustang) got a little distracted so we were a bit off of our line and unfortunately weren’t on the right stride. Mustang skimmed over the jump and popped me out of the saddle and I

went for a swim,” Scott said.

Aussie trailblazers Craig Barrett and his mare Sandhills Brillaire got the green and gold off to a strong start when they produced what would be the quickest round of the day, but there was pressure on Natalie Blundell and Stuart Tinney who were third and fourth to go for the Australians after Scott ended her weekend prematurely at the ninth fence.

Each team consists of four riders and with the top three scores from each counting towards the team total both riders needed to finish for Australia to remain in the hunt. 

Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney and his mount Pluto Mio remain the top ranked combination after a precise cross country round which saw them finish just 0.4 seconds off the optimum time.

“He was lovely all the way around, I found the time quite hard to keep. The hills are such a big factor here, but he was really rideable, he knew what his job was and he was great,”

“Tomorrow is a whole different phase so we’ll see how we go,” Stuart said.

CCI3* action gets underway at 2pm. For further information and results please visit http://www.Sydneyeventing.org