Postcards From The Saddle... or Ringside at the Australian International 3DE

Meryn with Andrew Hoy and Paul Tapner at the eventers party

By: Meryn Cooper 

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Returning to my hotel after my first day watching the 4* cross country at the Australian International 3DE, it was hard to tell if my cheeks were flushed from excitement or sunburn. It was an action packed day, and as a spectator you couldn’t ask for a more thrilling lead-up to the showjumping. 

Like a cricket fan who has never been to an international test match, Adelaide has always been my Mecca. Yes I’ve been to events and watched three star, but I had never been to 4* event!

Since I first heard about the Australian International 3DE at Adelaide I’ve been following the riders, watching the videos (yep… this is way back in the day before DVD’s or online viewing), and training to ride there one day. And while I haven’t made it as a competitor I’ve finally made it as a spectator.

Shane Rose on Taurus

After day one I’d watched magic in the dressage ring produced by Shane Rose, who, had two horses ranked in the top three. Taurus was first out for Rose and produced the best test of the morning with 45.70. He was leading for most of the day but it was his second mount CP Qualified who claimed first place 39.7. Stuart Tinney on Pluto Mio was second on 45.5, and defending champion Craig Barrett was in fourth place on Sandhills Brillaire with 46.8.

Craig Barrett on Sandhills Brillaire

The crowd was vocal and there was plenty of colour on the grounds and that played havoc with the nerves of some horses. But other’s managed to look like they were at a local pony club event they were so relaxed.

Chris Burton picked up a catch ride after Will Enzinger broke his leg a week out from the event. And while poor Enzinger went under the surgeon’s knife, Burton stepped in and showed why he’s one of Australia’s best and produced a solid test on TS Janaimo to put him in 7^th place.

Dare I say it, but it was exciting, and there was less than 10 points separating the top six riders.

Chris Burton on TS Jamaimo, the horse he’s been riding a week

Day two was cross country, and the water jump was a crowd favourite. Spectators huddled around the water complex at Victoria Park. They were spoilt for choice, a VIP marquee, a sunny position on the grass or full shade on the island. Plus there were big screens up so the crowd could watch the riders going around.

And the water didn’t disappoint, there were lots of stops and spills in the 2* class.

Isabelle Bowditch-McIntyre’s horse Gandios leaves a leg

jumps in big...

...and off she tumbles

The course favoured horse and rider combinations that were brave and courageous.  Some produced a textbook ride, and made it look so easy.

Chris Burton and TS Jamaimo

Then the 4* class stepped everything up a notch, the action, the speed and the excitement. It was great to wander around the course and check out the various jumps, and that’s exactly what I was doing when Shane Rose experienced a sticky moment in the water on CP Qualified. Needless to say I missed any cool snaps of that one.... It was a hiccup that would have unseated most riders, but not Rose who said it didn’t feel that scary at the time.

“I’m sure it looked a lot more scary than it felt. It sort of happened in slow motion and it didn’t feel that bad, but the gasp in the crowd made me think it must be close, fortunately, I stayed on,” Rose said.

The grey horse fought on, but Rose said it took a toll and the pair collected 7.2 time faults.

“The little mistake in the water really sucked the energy out of him, he’s only done one 3* and he really ran out of petrol at the end, so I was cautious with him. Once he jumped through the last crossing in the water he still felt like he was jumping super, and I could press on.

“I was super impressed with him. He’s been 3* for six months, and to be able to nurse him around 4* and to go around and be competitive at this level, there are horses behind him that have been on the Olympic squad so, I’m super happy with him.

“He’s a really promising prospect moving forward. He’s only going to get fitter and cope better,” Rose said.

Shane Rose on CP Qualified

Stuart Tinney and Pluto Mio were picture perfect through the water, and finished the day in first place. There was a mix up from the commentary box, which suggested they had a run out on the course, but it didn’t put off the Olympic gold medallist.

“I couldn’t hear a thing, except cheering through the first water,” Tinney said.

Just one rail separated the top six riders, and 0.2 penalties between Shane Rose on Taurus from the new leader Tinney on Pluto Mio. And his plan for the showjumping?

“I’ll try to jump well and fast and leave them all up, that’ll be the plan, we'll see what happens” Tinney said.

Stuart Tinney heading back into the main arena on Pluto Mio

But it wasn’t meant to be Pluto Mio collected two rails in the showjumping and Tinney was relegated to fifth. Rails also proved costly for Rose who finished 4^th and 7^th on Taurus and CP Qualified respectively.

Pluto Mio collects a rail

It was Chris Burton on his catch ride TS Jamaimo who stole the show. They produced one of only two clear rounds for the day to take out the 2013 Australian international 4* event.

“I was just coming out for a holiday and now I find myself sitting in a media centre.

“The glory really belongs to Will Enzinger and his team, they prepared the horse so beautifully, I was just the jockey to be honest, all I had to do was to point him around in the right direction. He is a very careful horse… and it was just one of those days for us,” Burton said.

Chris Burton and TS Jamaimo stole the show!

The other clear round of the day was by Olympic silver medallist Sonja Johnson and Belfast Mojito, who moved up to second place. Defending champion Craig Barrett’s mount knocked the last rail pushing him into third. 

FEI/HSBC CCI 4* Final Results

1. Christopher Burton/TS Jamaimo (AUS) 49.70

2. Sonja Johnson/Belfast Mojito (AUS) 51.40

3. Craig Barrett/Sandhills Brilliare (AUS) 52.80

4. Shane Rose/Taurus (AUS) 54.10

5. Stuart Tinney/Pluto Mio (AUS) 54.90

6. Seumas Marwood/Wild Oats (AUS) 55.60

7. Shane Rose/CP Qualified (AUS) 56.90

8. Sonja Johnson/Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison (AUS) 57.50

9. Soigne Jackson/Gold (AUS) 65.20

10. Katja Weimann/BP Flamboyant (AUS) 67.90

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