Olympians Shane Rose and Stuart Tinney wow the crowd at the 2015 Canberra CIC 3*
The superb venue at Equestrian Park in the heart of the nation’s capital, attracted the world’s best equestrians over the October long weekend .The event saw record entries in the FEI classes, top riders eager to test out the redesigned international cross country course. Over 280 horses and riders from across Australia came to Canberra’s CIC, all enjoying the stunning weather, the friendly atmosphere and efficient organisation which resulted in a brilliant weekend of top class eventing.
The Horseland 3* draw listed a world class field, with Olympic medal winners Shane Rose and Stuart Tinney joined by Victorian Seamus Marwood who was keen to give Wild Oats a great ride before Adelaide after their return from Europe. Adding to the 3* excitement was the Victorian husband and wife team Will Enzinger and Emily Anker going head to head, the ultimate eventing family show down.
With classes running from EA 95cm to CIC3*, the organising committee members from the National capital horse trails club were kept busy. The Saturday crowds, basking under cloud free skies, were treated to some super dressage tests in the 3* class but none could get below the 40 penalty mark. In the lower classes, junior Olivia Lalak did an amazing 31.5 test riding Koko Bean in the Southern stars EA 105. The Sit tight radio commentary and Charlie Brister and Rachel Stephen Smiths announcements kept every one entertained and informed.
The show jumping in the Wallaroo equestrian and Main event arenas, both on Saturday and Sunday flowed well. Cleverly designed tracks built by Mark Atkins and Greg Ring saw simple errors across the levels that changed the standings for many. However it was the cross country phase that had the greatest effect on the leader board, with time being the critical factor .In the FEI classes, the accuracy demanded by the second element of the water complex, created the biggest shake up of the scores. With the redesigned cross country lay out, a new start box had been built and on Saturday morning a very special moment was had when, Kate Mackenzie, Debbie and Rebecca Courtney and the Canberra international horse trials riders and volunteers led a heartfelt memorial to the late Alan De Courcy Ellis. Through a mixture of tears and smiles, the new start box was dedicated to Alan with a plaque carrying his final countdown words as the starter to so many.
Vince Roach, Dan Olsen, and Ben Smith, designed and presented the FEI and national courses that needed strong and accurate riding and with very tight times . Even Australia’s best and fastest struggled to get home penalty free. Many combinations had a real go, posting clear rounds at each level, however very few came home without time penalties. None in the Bucas rugs 2* and the Horseland 3* made time and only 4 in the Pine Ridge 1*were under time.
Shane Rose keep his 1st position after dressage and show jumping to win the 3* on the amazing Virgil, jumping a copy book cross country round. He also managed a blistering cross country round on Another Biscuit, the fastest of the day that bought him up from 16th to 2nd place. Stuart Tinney moved from 8th to 3rd riding the lovely Queen Mary. Shane Rose also won the clubs Kevin Dickson memorial trophy for being the winner by the biggest margin in an official class.
Judy Clarke riding the classy Diablito was untouchable in the 2* from start to finish, Rebecca Mc Dougal riding ESB Irish patience and Madelaine Wilson on the wonderful Mumbo Jumbo took out 2nd and 3rd. The one star saw Shaun Dillon and Kinordy Rubino win the class. The next 4 place getters had less than 2 penalties between them all went clear and under time cross country. Augusta Clarke coming 2nd riding Prospect Lodge Jaguar and Shane Rose riding Mighty Mouse jumped from 13th to 3rd.However the biggest leap up the score board was Nat Blundell on her catch ride Super Freak, moving up from 21st position to 5th after a sensational cross country ride .The big names and the action packed weekend pulled in the local WIN and the national ABC TV news.
In the national classes, Southern stars EVA 105, winner Isabelle McIntyre rode Allegro Vivace finished on her dressage score and Horsezone EVA 105 winner Soigne Jackson rode Ultimate Velocity .EVA 95 Sponsors Kilronan equestrian, Funky brew, Horse and hound specialists and Tuff horse rugs saw two local favourites pick up rugs, Nat Blundell on her golden home bred Riverside Princess and Jim Walshe riding Dubai Marina, Jim being delighted with his rug finishing on 36.6 penalties. Isobel Williams, riding Heatherton Park Chocolate finishing on 40.8 and junior Ryan Haste riding Chief Bearhawk finishing on 42.30, all the EVA 95 winners finishing on their brilliant dressage scores.
The new layout to the FEI tracks was met by positive comment and feedback from the riders. Unfortunately the predicted rain didn’t fall the weeks before and despite big effort to improve the going with additional sand ,the hard going caused some riders to change their ride plans to save the horses legs on the lead up to Adelaide.
Rachel Stephen Smith, event director and Kate Mackenzie our super event secretary who is so much more, are indebted to the event officials and the tireless NCHTA support crew and committee, Lindsey Stewart, Alysum Doak, Lauren Mackintosh, Ben Smith, Jackie Szczepanik, Derek Pether, John Fitgerald, Suz and Katherine Breitkopf, Tammy Klep, Fiona Gruen and Sarah Hearn. Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers, our local equestrian clubs, Forest park riding school and the ACT gov sport and rec and TAMS and the sponsors who all contributed to make the most thrilling and friendly equestrian event happen in the bush capital.
For full results click HERE
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