Sydney International Three Day Event Winners are Grinners!

 

In a nail biting finish yesterday Christine Bates and Adelaide Hill rose from sixth to first place to win the Harbour IT Three Star Class at Sydney International Three Day Event.  Check out Christine's showjumping round and interview in video below.

Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliot finished second and Craig Barret and Sandhills Brillaire third, while two rails in the showjumping put overnight leader Stuart Tinney and Pluto Mio into Fourth. 

Bates, 35, is no stranger to success having been a non-travelling reserve for the 2002 Jerez World Championships and long listed for two Olympic Games, however the spoils are sweeter this time around.

“I had my son William five years ago and I had stopped competing at this level. Although it has been a long hard road back I feel more focussed and balanced than ever before,” said Bates.

The win is so rewarding not just for me but for my incredible support team. My family, coaches, friends, farriers, vets, there are so many people that contribute and I am so happy to have this win for them.”

Inspired by a trip to the 2008 Olympic Games, Bates decided to have another crack at her Olympic dream.

“I watched Australia win the silver medal. I have grown up riding with Shane, Clayton, Megan and Sonja and that was the point when I said to myself that I had more to achieve.”

Undecided as to the next step in her plan Bates will consider taking the talented young horse to Adelaide CCI4* in November.

“This was his first CCI3 star so I will have to think about whether this year’s four star is the right choice for him,” explained Bates.

Lauren Balcomb (pictured), who is sponsored by Ranvet, took home first place in the Tarraleah Park Two Star Class and and Freestyler Trophy with her beautiful horse Kootamootoo. 

After a beautiful test, Lauren was in second place at the completion of the dressage behind Natalie Blundell. The nerves were high as Lauren headed into the cross country, but she completed it with a perfect time and no refusals. Heading into the showjumping there was less than 4 penalties separating first, second and third. 

Lauren completed the showjumping with a perfect round, under optimum time and with no penalties. Unfortunately the leader of the competition, Natalie Blundell had two rails in the showjumping moving her down to fifth place and Lauren up to first place.  Second were Shane Rose on Il Vici, Third Wil Enzinger on TS Jamaimo.

Congratulations to Wil Enzinger from Victoria riding Wenlock Aquifer, winners of the Equitak Excel One Star Event, with Emma Mason on Pokerface in second.

In the Over the Top Pre-Novice Sandy Lucas and Diamond Affair were the winners from Shane Rose and Contenda with Jessamy Walsh with Better on Sunday in third.

Quick Link

• Visit the Sydney International Eventing website for full results.
• Visit the Sydney International Eventing Facebook page.

Photo: courtesy of www.ranvet.com.au