Rose Continues his Reign in the Sydney International CCI3*

The sun continued to shine on Sydney for cross country day at the International Equestrian Centre where the 10 Australian based Olympic hopefuls joined 7 other 3* riders to take on the challenging cross county track created by Mike Etherington-Smith. Mike, the original designer for the Sydney Olympic Games held at the same venue in 2000, returned to Australia this year thanks support from Equestrian Australia and the High Performance Program, to give the famous course a fresh look.

With only 11 penalties separating the 10 Olympic hopefuls after Dressage on Friday and just 5 spots available on the Aussie Team, the pressure was on for the leaders to take the direct routes, go clear and make time on the challenging track in order to show selectors they were serious in their bid for a spot on the IRT plane to London in July.

Shane Rose, who spent time talking with Simon Reeve from Channel 7's  Sunrise on Saturday morning, remains the undisputed leader in the Equestrian NSW 3* class aboard the 9 year old Taurus with a clear cross country round that was exactly to optimum time. Taurus never faltered at the direct lines and tough questions asked by the course and Shane rode with the confidence an Olympian should display. His performance in Show Jumping on Sunday will be closely watched by Australian Team selectors. Shane will be keen to prove that Taurus is showing more maturity with his jumping than he displayed in at the Adelaide 4* in November 2011 where he entered the final jumping phase in a similar position but was unable to leave the rails up.

Tim Boland, lying in second place with GV Billy Elliot hit out hard, knowing that time across the country on the big black horse is always difficult to make. Despite being clear over the jumps they added 6.4 seconds to their score dropping them to 6th place. Following Tim on course was gold medallist from the Sydney Games Stuart Tinney who is keen to add another medal to his collection. He completed the course in the fastest time of the day with Pluto Mio moving up one place to 5th. Emma Mason, eager to make her first Olympic Team, added just 0.8 time penalties with F1 Pharinelli, gaining a place to sit in 4th for the show jumping final. Less than a penalty separates Beijing Silver Medallist Megan Jones aboard the Magic Millions Yearling Kirby Park Allofasudden from first time Olympic hopeful Emma Scott on Mustang who are in 2nd and 3rd, or is that 3rd and 2nd?

Shane's reign supreme in the Virgin Australia CIC2* Class was dampened when he took a swim from Virgil at the water complex. His 2nd placed horse, Wisteria Lane, picked up time penalties allowing Robert Palm and Koko Black to jump to 1st place. Christine Bates on her catch ride Corambo sits in 3rd place ahead of tomorrow's final phase of show jumping.

The top three places in the Equitak Excel 1* Class remain the same. Megan Jones on Kirby Park Irish Empress leads Emma Mason on Pokerface and Tania Hardin on Jirrima Yorkshire. Isabelle Bowditch-McIntyre on Grandios picked up 4 time penalties in the J&J Robertson & Sons Junior CIC1* allowing Bridget Crosato to slide into the lead with Silenzio.

The Eventing competition will finish on Sunday with Show Jumping in what is always a fierce battle down to the last rider!

Mike Etherington-Smith and Australia's own Eventing legend Wayne Roycroft hosted a free cross country course walk on Saturday morning which was very popular with spectators keen to hear their insightful comments.

The warm up class for the Greater Sydney World Cup Qualifier on Saturday afternoon was won by the young gun Tom McDermott on CP Rolex who blitzed a very experienced field. The World Cup Qualifier will run on Sunday afternoon with round 1 beginning at 3:30pm in the Indoor Arena.

Quick Links

• Results can be viewed online - here
• For more information please visit www.sydneyeventing.org

Story & Photo: Rachel Smith www.furdography.com.au