Melbourne International 3 Day Event

Christine Bates and Adelaide Hill

Report & Photos by: Geoff McLean T/A Gone Riding Media and Photography

Melbourne International 3 Day Event Technical Delegate, Roger Cain has given his team their final brief and the dressage phase of competition is underway.  For  competitors  the wait is over; for many they have been working to this day for twelve months or more. 

Queen’s Birthday weekend is Melbourne International 3 Day Event weekend this historic event now in it’s 57^th year is again poised a-fter two intense days of competition to bring an exciting conclusion.   Who will the Australian sporting community see doing the victory gallop this afternoon and join the famous names of Roycroft, Barker, Hoy, Johnson, Jones, Tinney and Rose of this iconic test of horse and rider?

Will it be a past winner Stuart Tinney or is a new name to be added to the honour board? This afternoon at the conclusion of show jumping we will have our answer.  Until then we will just have to wait.

Two days of competition have now been completed and the dressage and cross country phases done and dusted.

Friday and Saturday saw the completion of dressage phase of competition for all classes and when riders and their mounts were back in the sheds the names at the top of the leader board were

CCI Three star:

Twenty combinations from across Australia presented for the for the dressage phase and spectators were treated to some really excellent riding and strong competition.  At the end of business the international panel of judges had Katie Roots and Trevelgar II in 1^st place with a score of 46.60, Belinda Isbister and Holy Bruce in 2^nd on 48.00 and in third place Christine Bates on Adelaide Hill on 48.60 but you could throw a blanket over the top seven competitors with less than seven point separating first and seventh.

CCI Two Star:

A strong field from across Australia of 39 combinations had riders on their metal in the CCI 2 star class.  One professional rider competing in the two star  was heard to say “This is a tough strong field”.  He was right. We were treated to some wonderful dressage riding. At the conclusion of phase one of the two star competition sees Elenor Osborne on Highborne Rocker, an off the track thoroughbred gelding by Easy Rocking leading the field with a score of 42.30 second place sees the polished combination of Stuart Tinney and Carlchen a warm blood gelding by Clinton on a score of 43.40.  Third is Rebekah McDougall on her long time mount ESB Irish Patience an Irish sport horse gelding by ESB Irish Edition on a percentage of 43.90.  Less than 7 points separates the top ten positions.

CCI 1 Star:

In the CCI 1 star class with 69 combinations presenting to the judges, at the end of dressage competition Robert Palm from Victoria had made his mark, the scoreboard tells the story

First place Robert Palm riding his wife’s horse Koko Pop on a score of 44.70, second place again Robert Palm  on the Simon Tainsh owned Vengeance on a score of 46.80  Vengeance’s campaign leading up to Melbourne has been outstanding with wins at Ballarat in the EVa105 and Woady Yaloak CNC 1 star.  In third place is Kattie Roots from NSW on her Off The Track thoroughbred gelding with a score of 48.20

Sunday, cross country day many riders refer to the cross country phase as pay day.  Anything can happen and it did.  Riders awoke to fine and sunny but chilly conditions with a brisk wind and the challenging but inviting Ewan Kellett designed course which winds it’s way through the Historic Werribee Park Estate in good condition beckoning.

Spectator’s were present in good numbers especially through the state rose garden precinct. At 8:30am the first CCI 1 star rider departed the start box and it was on!  By the end of the down Cross Country day had lived up to it’s reputation providing riders with adrenaline intense challenges and spectators witnessed some spectacular displays of cross country riding. As in past years, sadly for some the best laid plans had been torn up.

After completion of cross country the leader board tells the story.

CCI 3 Star:

Christine Bates is sitting on her dressage score of 48.60, second place see’s the ever reliable Stuart Tinney on War Hawk with a score of 54.40 and in third place is Katja Weimann and her mount BP Flamboyant on 54.70.  Only 12 points separates first and seventh place setting the scene for an exciting show jumping finish jumped in reverse order

CCI 2 Star:

Elenor Osborne and Highborne Rocker maintain their lead on 42.30 after going clear, clear cross country, Rebekah McDougall and Irish Patience after a personal best in dressage and also holing their dressage score of 43.90 move into second place and in third place sees Tim Boland on Napoleon also sitting on his dressage score of 45.90

CCI 1 Star:

Robert Palm cemented his position in this class maintaining first and second place in both cases holding not incurring any penalties on cross country and maintaining his dressage score, third place now sees Andrew Cooper on his Off The Track thoroughbred Toronto on his dressage score of 48.30.

Day three of this wonderful event will as in the past throw up a new set of challenges.  The first is a Trot Up this morning to the Grand Jury and Veterinarians to ensure horses have recovered and sound after cross country before they proceed to the final challenge show jumping.

On a sad note we wish Alexandra Townsend from Wallaby Park NSW our warmest and most sincere wishes for a complete and speedy recover. Alexandra was injured in a non fence related incident in the CCI 2 star cross country – get well soon Alexandra the eventing community’s thoughts are with you.

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