Bates leads Melbourne CCI3* after Cross Country
New South Wales equestrian Christine Bates leads the Saddleworld Melbourne International Three Day Event CCI3* (#SMI3DE) following today's cross country at Werribee Park.
Bates and her horse Adelaide Hill remain on their dressage score of 46.80 penalties after producing one of three clear cross country rounds in the CCI3*.
With show jumping still to contest, the Rio 2016 hopeful has a 5.8 penalty lead over nearest competitor, Sydney Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney and his horse War Hawk.
It is War Hawk's first outing at this level and Tinney rode a near precise cross country round adding just 0.8 penalties to his dressage score which has him sitting on 54.40 penalties.
Bates is aiming for her first Olympic Games and The Melbourne Three Day Event is the beginning of her Rio campaign.
"It's still a long way out from Rio but this event is the first step of my plan and It's gone to plan so far, so it's a good start.
"It was a tough course today. He (Adelaide Hill) was amazing and I have to remember that it's been 18 months since he's competed at a big three day event. I felt a little bit rusty but he was super and rode as expected. I'm really happy."
Victorian Katja Weimann and her horse BP Flamboyant rose from fifth to third position after a strong cross country round in which the pair added just 2.4 penalties to their score. They will enter the show jumping with 54.7 penalties.
Overnight leader Katie Roots and her horse Trevalgar II are in fourth place after picking up 10 time penalties which has them sitting on 56.6 penalties.
The Saddleworld Melbourne International Three Day Event will conclude on Monday with the show jumping phase. Tickets are available at the gate. For full event information, scores and more please visit the website
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