Heath Ryan and Mystery Whisper Lead Adelaide

Reminiscent of 2009 Heath Ryan and Mystery Whisper are in the lead at the Australian International Three-Day Event CCI4*.

Heath has a commanding lead, almost 10 points ahead of Emma Mason and F1 Pharinelli. Stuart Tinney is third on Watermark Grayson. Chris Burton is currenlty winning the CCI2* on Underdiscussion and Shane Rose is leading the CIC2* on Statford Neo.


Heath Ryan and Mystery Whisper. Photograph: Main Event Photography

Haigh's Dressage Day
The Haigh’s Dressage Day started with the CCI2* class at 10am with the CIC2* kicking off shortly afterward at 10.15am. The early riders in both were drenched by rain showers.

The CCI4* started at 11.15am, by which time the rain had mostly cleared. For the first time all three Judges are foreigners. Chair of the gound Jury Michel Asseray (FRA), Sandy Phillips (GBR) and Jutta Koivula (Fin). Emily Anker (Vic) and Wendy Schaeffer (SA) are the only riders to have two horses in the class.

First into the arena was Emily on the most experienced horse in the class - Balmoral Cavalier. At 16-years-of-age Balmoral Cavalier has competed six CCI4* competitions, the first of which was in Adelaide in 2004 and also includes Lexington (USA) in 2006, Lumuhlen (GER) 2008 and Burghley (GBR)in 2009. The test was consistent for 59.8 penalties which ultimately put them in 8th position.

Wendy’s first ride was Koyuna Sun Dancer, her 11-year-old bay gelding by Brilliant Invader. This combination were third in this class in 2008. In 2009 they were sent out as the first combination for the Australian Trans-Tasman team and fell victim to the “unjumpable” Normandy bank (which was promptly removed from the course) resulting in elimination. Today they put themselves in a good position finishing on 56.8 and fourth place.

Emma Mason (NSW) was next into the arena on F1 Pharinelli. This was a little puzzling as she was originally down in the draw to ride much later in the day. When Dressage times were posted last night she (and she was the only one that had been changed) had mysteriously been moved to ride as third horse of the day. Most riders prefer a late draw so this was somewhat of a setback for Emma. However, the test was really lovely and Emma and F1 Pharinelli (recent winners of the NSW State Championships) took the lead on a score of 52.

The 15.3hh grey thoroughbred Algebra ridden by Natalie Blundell was next into the arena. This horse is green at this level, he was in the CCI2* at Adelaide last year. A third place finish at the Sydney CCI3* in September will give them confidence. Natalie won the first CCI4* ever held in Adelaide (1999 riding Billy Bathgate) and today she used her skill to produce a very good test on this horse in his first four star. The score was 57.2 and at the end of the day this put them into 5th place.
Queensland’s Eleanor Osbourne and Mighty High are also having their first attempt at this level. The 17hh bay gelding put in a solid performance to finish the day in 9th position.

Sophie Warren (WA) and Let’s Impress are also first timers at this level. He is a lovely thoroughbred horse and the pair have not let youth (the horse is 10 and Sophie is just 22) stop them from some good results in Western Australia including a win at the Woorooloo CCI3*. A little more collection would have pleased the judges at this level. They finish 14th on 65.5.
Wilhelm Enzinger (Vic) and16-year-old ESB Irish Endeavour put in a steady test for 12th place on 63.7 before the judges stopped for lunch.

Those in the VIP marquee were treated to a gourmet meal with lovely Tomich wines and Haigh’s chocolates whilst being entertained by a fashion parade. The marquee has a huge screen as well as multiple smaller screens scattered around the room for ease of viewing. The table arrangements, food and service were impeccable. Well done to Leigh McClusky and team for a fantastic effort.

First competitor after the break was poor John Twoomey (NZL) who had a bad day on Flaunt It. This horse has so much potential but he just did not want to come to the party today. He was really tense and some of the movements did not happen at all. 0s and 1s from the judges as he headed in the wrong direction on two legs at times. 71.2 and 17th place. Disappointment after a second place finish at the recent Sydney CCI3*.

Western Australia’s Phillipa Dunstan and the big chestnut Irish Draught cross Blythe Spirit did not enjoy the best test and they finished the day in 18th place on 73.3. They placed 2nd in Wooroloo CCI3* August this year and this is their first CCI4*.

Another 17hh Chestnut was next into the ring, Chief Justice ridden by owner Tallara Barwick. Tallara was another one to go early in the class at this event last year and also had trouble at the Normandy bank, however, unlike Wendy Tallara she did not fall rather was trapped on top of the bank for some time before being allowed to continue and had some further trouble. Whilst Dressage is not his best phase, Chief Justice (aka Rupert) did a very pleasant test to score 63.2 and finish 11th. Let’s hope that this year they have some more luck on the cross-country.

Pluto Mio was really disappointing today and everyone felt for Katja Weimann (Vic). The 12-year-old grey gelding by Daley K has an amazing presence and is very talented, however, he was breathing fire today. Katja, unfortunately, also had two course errors, it simply was not their day. 75 penalities put them at the bottom of the class.

Adam Benson (Vic) and Enthusiast were next. This pair were 13th in this class last year, albeit with 40 cross-country jumping penalties. This is a great little thoroughbred and Adam would have been hoping for a better score today, but a few errors kept the marks conservative and the received 65.3 for 13th place.

22-year-old Cassie Lowe (Vic) and Bentleigh Gambler are another combination to be tackling their first CCI4*. A good clear cross country round at Sydney CCI3* resulted in 6th place finish and they will be looking to repeat that here this weekend. They are turned out beautifully and 100% look the part. The test still needs consolidating at this level but a good effort for 69.8 and 16th place.

2008 winners Christopher Burton and 15 –year-old Newsprint are expected to put in a good test. The horse has come back this season after a 12 month break and Chris has also been away representing Australia at the World Equestrian Games, so between them it has not been the ideal preparation. However, they did win the recent CNC3* at Camden and placed 3rd at the CIC3* at Goulburn. Today, whilst there was some very good work they did not perform their best test . They scored 57.7 and are in 5th place.

Luke Jones (SA) and 18-year-old Soul have been in this arena many times. They will happily say that they are not the best in this phase - tomorrow is another story. This will be the pair’s fifth CCI4*. They jumped clear around the other four with just 8 time faults in total. After today’s test they are in 15th place on 68.7.

Next, Emily Anker rode her second horse Keniski. This is the fourth time this pair has fronted up to Adelaide CCI4*, their best result was 6th place in 2008. To be honest I missed this test - sorry Emily. They scored 63.0 for 10th place.

Stuart Tinney, recently back from a top 10 finish at the World Equestrian Games is riding Sarah Ingham’s Watermark Grayson (Graf Landau) . This pair won the CCI3* at Puhinui last year and were 2nd at Melbourne CCI3*. Today, the horse was focussed and looked to be trying to do his best. A consistent test with some good work was good enough to put them into third place with 56.7 penalties.

Wendy Schaeffer and her chestnut mare Koyuna Sun Shine (also by Brillaint Invader) were winners of the 2009 Sydney CCI3* and 4th here in 2008. Wendy has been in Europe on th show jumping circuit and we are all glad to see her back on the Aussie Eventing scene. The mare did nice test, she is not the biggest mover but she looked round and schooled. Score 59.2 and 7th place - well within striking range.

The Final horse of the day was the one worth waiting for, Mystery Whisper ridden by Heath Ryan. This test was all class. The horse was so engaged and has collection and cadence that puts it in a league of its own. Heath did not try for ‘too much’ and Mystery Whisper remained soft and relaxed throughout the performance. They steal Emma Mason’s lead by nearly 10 points on a score on 42.3.

“I am always nervous,” said Heath Ryan at the press conference at the end of the competition, “people find that hard to believe but I am always trying to reach out for that performance that I have never done before.”

Heath also noted that he and Mystery Whisper were eliminated in the Dressage phase in 2008, then eliminated in the Cross-country phase in 2009 and he recommends to give him wide berth if he doesn’t make it thorough to the showjumping this year!

The Cross-country course
The Wayne Copping course is 11 mins and 03 seconds in length and has some new jumps including some new steps at fence 22.

“The course is nice, it is a true four star test and like every four star it commands respect,” said Stuart Tinney.

“The steps have a regulation distance and ridden well I think they will jump well,” added Stuart.

Stuart also commented that time is always a big factor at this course and feels that will again be tough this year.

“I will be giving it everything,” said Heath Ryan, “Stuart Tinney is one of the best riders cross-country riders in the world so Emma and I are up against it!”

CCI****
CCI**
CIC**

Source: Equestrian Australia.