Tinney Wins Again - This Time at Lakes and Craters!

 

Following on from a win in the CCI4* in Adelaide in November, Olympic gold medallist Tinney is in top form.

“We always like Lakes and Craters this time the weather was great which helped. It is a very relaxed event and always runs well,” explained Tinney. 

Tinney (Maraylya, NSW) and Pluto Mio scored 44.4 penalties in the dressage, two points ahead of Emma Scott and Jenbern Monyana.  In third place after dressage was Christine Bates on Delago.

Tinney commented that the horse enjoyed the low-key atmosphere. “He (Pluto Mio) was really relaxed as soon as he got there. He worked really well everyday before the dressage, and stayed that way through the test.”

Tinney said the Wayne Copping course was testing. “It is quite a tough 3 star because of the hills. It has some with big galloping fences as well as some tough lines and the horses need to be really be very fit.  There are a lot of jumps on the side of hills and you turn back on yourself quite a lot which is testing. “

This year there was a new combination at the water jump. A brush two strides to another brush which dropped into water followed by a curving line (seven strides) to an arrowhead. This fence unfortunately unseated Dominic Ingvall who was representing Finland.

A clear jumping round meant Tinney and Pluto Mio won the event on their dressage score, the only combination in the field to do so.  “I am very happy, the horse was great all weekend,” he said.

Tinney, who has only had the ride on Pluto Mio for the past six months, has already notched-up some impressive results, including a 4^th place at the Sydney CCI3* in September.

However, it has not all been smooth sailing. Following a run-out and then retirement on cross-country at the recent CCI4* in Adelaide, Tinney made some changes to his preparation for this event. “We have had some teething problems with the horse, sorting out bits and other things, he is a sensitive horse and we have had to get to know him, but we feel like the partnership is coming together.”

Pluto Mio will front up to Sydney CCI3* next April  - “he will do as many events as he can,” added Tinney.

Christine Bates (Wilberforce, NSW) finished second on her 8-year-old Encosta Delago gelding Delago. A clear cross-country with a clear round with in the time moved her ahead of Emma Scott (who incurred 13.6 time faults). Two rails down for Bates made the jumping a tense time – another one and Scott would have reclaimed second place. But Bates kept her cool on the young horse and was pleased with the result.

“He was great all weekend,” said Bates “he made some green mistakes in the jumping but he is still building his strength and confidence in that phase. I am thrilled with him.”

With a clear jumping round Emma Scott secured third place on the talented young Jenbern Monyana. A thoroughbred x warmblood byHegemony, Jenbern Monyana is also just an 8-year-old.

With such quality young 3-star horses emerging the future looks bright for Australian eventing.

Well done to all competitors and to the winners.

3 Day Event Winners

CCI3* - Stuart Tinney and Pluto Mio

CIC3* - Sonja Johnson and Belfast Mojito

CCI2* - Will Enzinger and Wyuna Clear

CCI1* - Hamish Cargill and Starburst

CCIJ* - Naomi White and Mighty Tosca

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Story: Equestrian Australia