Australia convincing winners of Trans-Tasman Eventing Challenge
Australia wins Trans-Tasman Eventing Challenge
Photograph:ESJ Photo
Australia was convincing winners of the Trans-Tasman Eventing Challenge happening at this weekend's International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park.
Leading the way for the Australians was Sydney Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney who also won individual honours in the CCI3* event with mount Pluto Mio.
Tinney was pleased to notch up another victory against Australia’s biggest sporting rivals.
“Beating the Kiwis is always good for Australia, I’m loving that.”
“We have some great riders based in this country so it’s a privilege and a real thrill to be riding alongside these other riders,” Stuart said.
The Australian team entered Sunday's show jumping phase with a comfortable lead over New Zealand, but with young Emma Scott eliminated for a fall on cross country day, each of the remaining three team members needed to complete their show jumping round in order to remain in contention for the title.
Craig Barrett looked like he was going to produce a clear round, but his mare Sandhills Brillaire knocked the final rail and they finished in second overall.
Natalie Blundell and her gelding Algebra were the only Australian combination to produce a clear show jumping round and individually finished fourth in the placings.
Olympic silver medallist Shane Rose was also in the mix finishing third overall with a young horse named Virgil who he says could take him all the way.
“He’s already starting to mix it with some horses that will more than likely be on Australian teams in the next few years,” Shane said.
The Sydney International CCI3* is a major international event in its own right but with the added duel between Australia and New Zealand taking place, and happening around the time of ANZAC Day, this year’s event is extra significant.
Full results from all classes are available at http://www.sydneyeventing.org
27 April 2013
Australia extends lead over NZ in Trans-Tasman Eventing Challenge
Australia has strengthened its lead over New Zealand in the Trans-Tasman Eventing Challenge being contested at the Sydney International Horse Trials despite a member of the team being eliminated for a fall.
26 year old Emma Scott, who is making her debut for Australia this weekend, became unstuck at the first of two water jumps resulting in elimination.
“It’s very disappointing and definitely wasn't the plan but Mustang and I are fine and we will live to see another day.
“We got a nice ride into the pond but on the second stride he (Mustang) got a little distracted so we were a bit off of our line and unfortunately weren’t on the right stride. Mustang skimmed over the jump and popped me out of the saddle and I went for a swim,” Scott said.
Aussie trailblazers Craig Barrett and his mare Sandhills Brillaire got the green and gold off to a strong start when they produced what would be the quickest round of the day, but there was pressure on Natalie Blundell and Stuart Tinney who were third and fourth to go for the Australians after Scott, who was second in the Australian line-up, ended her weekend prematurely at the ninth fence.
Each team consists of four riders and with the top three scores from each counting towards the team total, both riders needed to finish for Australia to remain in the hunt for the title.
Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney and his mount Pluto Mio remain the top ranked combination after a precise cross country round which saw them finish just 0.4 seconds off the optimum time.
“He was lovely all the way around, I found the time quite hard to keep. The hills are such a big factor here, but he was really rideable, he knew what his job was and he was great,”
“Tomorrow is a whole different phase so we’ll see how we go,” Stuart said.
CCI3* action gets underway at 2pm. For further information and results please visithttp://www.Sydneyeventing.org
26 April 2013
Australia takes early lead in Trans-Tasman Eventing Challenge
Australia is dominating the Trans-Tasman Eventing Challenge which is being contested at this weekend's Sydney International CCI3* at the International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park.
The Australian team of Stuart Tinney, Craig Barrett, Natalie Blundell and Emma Scott will enter Saturday’s cross country phase with a big lead over their New Zealand counterparts after they outperformed the Kiwis in the dressage arena.
Australia is currently occupying first, second and third positions on the leader board and boasts a strong lead heading into the most vigorous day of competition.
Sydney Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney was the team’s strongest performer but with two phases still to contest, Tinney is focusing on the task ahead.
“It’s a great result but it’s more important to be in front on Sunday.”
“The cross country course is tough enough all the way around, there are quite a few questions but I’ll definitely be getting in the best ride I can,” he said.
Natalie Blundell was a member of the Australian team which won the 2012 Trans-Tasman event in New Zealand.
“Being in the lead is good for team spirit and knowing that we’re in front will give us some extra confidence.
“We have to put our game faces on tomorrow and do a good job, there are a lot of questions out there.
“Being in front is good but this is a three day event and there’s still two days to go,” she said.
The Sydney International CCI3* is a major international event in its own right but with the added duel between Australia and New Zealand taking place, and happening around the time of ANZAC Day, this year’s event is extra significant.
CCI3* action is set to get underway tomorrow from 12.30pm, with the CIC1* getting the day underway at 8:30am.
Australia first to go in Trans-Tasman Eventing Challenge
Following today's trot-up, which all combinations passed, New Zealand won the toss and elected to go second.
Australian three-day event champions Craig Barrett and Sandhills Brillaire will be the first to go for the Australian team, followed by Emma Scott and Mustang, Natalie Blundell and Algebra and then Stuart Tinney and Pluto Mio.
This is Barrett's second Trans-Tasman outing for Australia and he's looking forward it.
“Representing your country is always an honour and a privilege and you strive to do it wherever you can."
He's expecting the Kiwis to put up a strong fight for the title.
"New Zealand is always very difficult to beat. They’re very competitive, tough cross country and they always ride fantastic jumpers, I’m sure it will be a tight competition.
Dressage competition gets underway on Friday at 12:30pm AEST. Follow Equestrian Australia on Twitter for live updates.
23 April 2013
Australia's Trans-Tasman Team Named
Sydney Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney is among the four member Australian team which has been named to take on New Zealand in a Trans-Tasman Eventing Challenge at this year's Sydney International CCI3* which commences on Friday.
National eventing selectors have named a strong team which includes current Australian International Three Day Event champion Craig Barrett (NSW), 2012 Trans-Tasman representative Natalie Blundell (ACT) and 26 year old Emma Scott who is setto make her debut for Australia.
“I’m wonderfully excited about this and the opportunity to represent my country, it’s been a lifelong dream and it’s finally happening this week,” Scott said.
Two-time Olympian Stuart Tinney has been a pivotal member of a number of successful Australian teams and always enjoys going head to head against the Kiwis.
“Competing against New Zealand is always good fun and we have to make sure we come out on top, sometimes they can sneak ahead of us so we have to keep them at bay. We’ve got a really great team and hopefully we can go well,” Tinney said.
The Sydney International CCI3* is a major international event in its own right but with the added duel between Australia and New Zealand taking place, and happening around the time of ANZAC Day, this year’s event is extra significant.
The Trans-Tasman Eventing Challenge headlines a full three days of equestrian action at the venue of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Australia currently holds the Trans-Tasman tittle and will be looking to retain the trophy which it won in 2012 in
New Zealand. Action gets underway from Friday.
The Australian team is as follows:
|
Rider |
Horse |
Owner(s) |
|
Craig Barrett |
Sandhills Brillaire |
Keith and Juliet Osborne |
|
Stuart Tinney |
Pluto Mio |
Elizabeth and John Pittard |
|
Nat Blundell |
Algebra |
John Glenn and Julia McLean |
|
Emma Scott |
Mustang |
Emma Scott and Anthony Twomey |
Reserves:
|
Seumas Marwood |
Wild Oats |
Danielle and Seumas Marwood |
|
Jessica Manson |
Legal Star |
Jessica Manson |
The team will be declared to the Organising Committee after the Trot Up on Friday and if needed the team may substitute a reserve until then.
Team Support Staff:
Prue Barrett - Chef d'Equipe
Brett Parbery – dressage coach
Sam Lyle – jumping coach
Nathan Anthony – Vet
18 April 2013
Jones and Boland forced out of Australian Trans-Tasman squad
Victoria's Seumas Marwood and Western Australia's Jessica Manson will replace Megan Jones and Tim Boland in Australia's Trans-Tasman Eventing squad after both riders were forced to withdraw.
"I am very disappointed to announce that Billy Elliot will not be able to be part of the Australian team to take on the Kiwis at next week’s Trans-Tasman eventing challenge.
“Billy has missed some work following Albury and is not 100% and I certainly don't want to risk his long term future.
“Hopefully he will continue to improve and be able to run at Melbourne CCI3* in June. I wish the Australian team all the best in what will be a great event," Tim said.
Jones also expressed her disappointment at being unable to take-up a position in the squad.
"I love a team competition and one on home soil is always exciting. I wish the team the best of luck and I'm sure they will not disappoint," Megan said.
The Australian team will enter a staging camp on Monday 23 April and selectors will announce the four (4) starting combinations and two (2) reserve combinations on Tuesday 24 April.
Marwood will join the squad with his 12 year old mare Wild Oats, while Manson has been named on the 12 year old gelding Legal Star.
Australia currently holds the Trans-Tasman trophy and will be looking to keep its undefeated home record intact when the event gets underway.
The Sydney International Horse Trials runs from 26-28 April.
18 April 2013
Six member Eventing squad named for Trans-Tasman Challenge
National Eventing Selectors have named a six member Australian squad for the upcoming Trans-Tasman test at the Sydney International Horse Trials from 26-28 April.
The Australian squad is as follows:
|
Craig Barrett |
Sandhills Brillaire |
|
Natalie Blundell |
Algebra |
|
Tim Boland |
GV Billy Elliot |
|
Megan Jones |
Kirby Park Allofasudden |
|
Emma Scott |
Mustang |
|
Stuart Tinney |
Pluto Mio |
The Australian team will enter a staging camp on Monday 23 April and selectors will choose the four (4) starting combinations and two (2) reserve combinations on Tuesday 24 April.
Australia currently holds the Trans-Tasman trophy and will be looking to keep its undefeated home record intact when the event gets underway.
As a member of three senior and a young rider Trans-Tasman teams, Olympic silver medallist Megan Jones has been involved in many a battle against New Zealand. Jones relishes the opportunity to represent her country and particularly enjoys an outing against the Kiwis.
“It’s always a fierce competition when we take on New Zealand and we have a strong squad so our team will be very competitive.
“Team events bring out the best in people. You work hard at every event but when you’re in a team situation you work that little bit harder because other people are relying on you. I’m definitely more competitive when I’m competing as part of a team,” Megan said.
Jones has spent the past three months on the sidelines after a back injury forced her to take time out from the saddle. Competing in Albury at the weekend she finished second in the CIC3* and won the CIC2*.
“I’m feeling great, but I’ve had to cut back on the number of horses that I ride,”
“I know what I’m allowed and not allowed to do so it’s just a matter of riding within my limitations,”
The Sydney International Horse Trials, incorporating the Trans-Tasman Eventing Challenge will commence on Friday 26 April.
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