CCI2*L goes to Edward Darby aboard Charismatic Day
Said drama started early, with the Off The Track CCI2*L class top spot coming down to the very wire, or in this instance, three seconds.
Edward Darby aboard Charismatic Day and Holly Anderson with TW Great One were on an exactly equal score from the very beginning of competition, earning an identical 30.7 in the dressage phase. Neither incurred penalties across yesterday’s cross country, and both delivered faultless clear rounds today. Had they not been vying for the top spot, their level positions would likely have gone unnoticed. But with both awaiting confirmation of their placing, and the count back rules enforced, Edward ultimately reigned supreme, having been three seconds closer to the optimum time on yesterday’s cross country.
Edward and Charismatic Day have had a stellar season, and today’s result is a fantastic way to round it out, but Edward didn’t have too much expectation given that he didn’t think his current level in the dressage would get him too close to the top. Nevertheless, it put them well in the mix, and a double clear across the country yesterday certainly kept them there.
“I’m rapt with Charlie, he is becoming another incredible trier for me in all three phases. He gave me a great feel around the cross country yesterday, and I think he will develop into a fast horse,” shares Edward.
Edward admits that despite a great performance in the first two phases, he still didn’t have an expectation to move up the rankings today. “There were a lot of good jumping horses up the top!” he admits. As it turns out, Charlie is one of those good jumpers, too!
“I really can’t wait for a few years down the track to see what he can achieve at the higher levels,” continues Edward.
Edward’s mother, Julia, who also bred Charlie, has confessed he’s not her favourite horse: “He’s always been quite naughty to lead to the paddock!” she laughs.
“She will hopefully be able to admit she likes him now!” laughs Edward.
Holly Anderson was “absolutely thrilled” despite the circumstances that pushed her back to second place. “A huge congratulations to Edward, it sure was a tight finish!” she says.
Holly didn’t leave Werribee without a rug however, claiming the Best Performed OTT award for the CCI2*L.
“It’s a real testament to my horse Archie and the team I have supporting me. It’s been an amazing event, the weather has been kind, the organisers and volunteers have done a brilliant job and I can’t wait to be back again next year!”
Third place was claimed by Asha Warnock and Notting Hill Gate; having performed super consistently across the weekend, they finished on their dressage score of 30.9.
“He’s such a trier, he’s really got the hang of it now; he’s jumped clear every event we’ve done this season, except for one. He’s now ready for a CCI3* start. I’m absolutely stoked, it’s always nice to be here and even better in the sunshine!”
Aleisha Lorensen leads the CCIYJ2*L from start to finish with Finch Farm Chrysler
The CCI2* Junior/Young Rider class saw a shake up amongst the placings, with the exception of the winner, Aleisha Lorensen, who led from start to finish with her Finch Farm Chrysler (28.7).
With a fence in hand heading into the showjumping that they ultimately did not need, the duo finished on their dressage score and claimed the title with a convincing lead of 5.5 penalties.
“I feel absolutely incredible, he was such an amazing boy, carrying me through it. It’s our first Melbourne, we come from Queensland and it’s a big drive. It’s something very special to be here, and now very worth it!” shares Aleisha.
Liam Mckenzie-Smith was the runner-up with Sandhills Invader (34.2) after a beautiful clear round that boosted them up the leaderboard from seventh place overnight.
“I feel like the whole weekend went really well. Cross country was great to go double clear in a big atmosphere, and it was a great round in the showjumping. This is my first Melbourne; the atmosphere is insane and there is so much going on with a very professional environment. Being able to do so well really means a lot to me,” says Liam, who also took out the top Junior placing within the field.
Ella McCrum and Hez All That Jazz (35.9) maintained their third placing from dressage, adding only one rail to their final score.
Andrew Cooper and Sandhills Cristiano win CCI3*L
The final phase of the CCI3*L proved hugely influential, and the leaderboard once again saw a shuffling throughout the entire class. With only five clear rounds delivered, producing one guaranteed a climb up the placings.
Andrew Cooper and Sandhills Cristiano were the only combination to finish on their dressage score (37.5), rocketing them to the top spot from an initial 15th placing.
Emma Bishop and Bobby Dazzler fought their way back into the top three, after adding some time penalties across the country yesterday. Adding nothing further today, they earnt their second place (38.2).
“It’s not often you come away from an event happy with all three phases and I think Bobby had his best ever performance in all three so couldn’t be happier with that,” says Emma. “Melbourne Three-Day Event never disappoints; it’s such a well-run event and one of the most prestigious in the country. It’s a privilege to be about to compete at such an event.”
Gemma Tinney and Fernhill Aisling Star secured the last podium spot, having added only six times penalties from yesterday to their final score (39.5).
“I am so incredibly proud of what ‘Ashlee’ and I achieved over the weekend,” says Gemma. “We have been working hard on improving our overall performance and it really paid off. It’s a big trip and big event for the horses. She gave me her all. Now for a well deserved few weeks off before an exciting end to the season.”
David Middleton and WEC In The Breeze jump to CCI4*L win
The titular class of the Melbourne International Three-Day Event delivered exactly what you want in a final phase performance. The tension and anticipation carried through to the very end. Clear rounds were certainly not the flavour of the day and despite a field of very experienced campaigners, only two were posted.
The first, by Zachary Thorne and his OTT Wu Gok, proved it was possible to keep the coloured sticks upright and without time penalties.
Holding fouth place overnight, Zachary’s clear round pushed him into a final second place on 37, behind the only other clear in the class, achieved by David Middleton and WEC In The Breeze (35.4).
“It’s a pretty nice way to finish what’s been a bit of an ordinary season so far,” says a relieved David, who was happy to back in the winner’s circle. “When you win a few times, you don’t like losing!” he says, adding that a pivot of plans after his Adelaide CCI5*L run is ultimately what changed his season and got him to the win today. He has “no idea” what the plans are for right now, but will think long term towards Adelaide again next year.
Leading after cross country, Kenya Wilson could afford one rail, but no more with her Sandros Salute MW. With three falling, she bumped down the placings but secured third (44). Having shared a final score with Christine Bates, a count back applied for the second time today.
“Unfortunately today was not our day, but Sandros did jump some super jumps in there,” says Kenya. On missing the win, Kenya was disappointed, but grateful to be there: “Winning the rug would have been magical, but if I told 12-year-old me that I would one day have a podium finish at Melbourne CCI4*L, I’m sure I would have been awestruck.”
With a mindset like that, Kenya is sure to have future success in the sport. It’s back to reality tomorrow though. “I’m bringing the big guy home [to Western Australia] and then back to work for me!” confirms Kenya.
Lamoza Velisha and Call Me Cooley rise to claim CCI4*S win
The CCI4*S jumped the same showjumping track as the CCI4*L, and clear rounds in abundance made it evident that those in the long format were perhaps a bit tired in comparison to their equine counterparts in the short format, who hadn’t run as far the day prior.
With three withdrawals after the cross country phase, six combinations came forward to the showjumping and five jumped clear, with only a 2.4 total time penalties incurred.
Lamoza Velisha and Call Me Cooley completed an exceptional season, adding the Equestrian Australia CCI4*S title to their Wandin CCI3*S and Ballarat CCI4*S wins, and their Oceania Challenge Young Rider team win for Australia at Adelaide Equestrian Festival.
At only her second CCI4* start, Lamoza officially has a 100% win rate, something she hadn’t at all foreseen.
“We went into this weekend with zero expectations; the aim was to start and finish with a sound and happy horse. To win the CCI4*S, especially at only our second one together, is incredible. He was a legend all weekend and I couldn’t ask for a better teammate,” shares Lamoza.
Looking ahead to next season, Lamoza isn’t totally sure what it will look like, but plans to “just keep on improving at this level.”
Emma Mason and her fan favourite KPH Kingfisher finished in second place, adding some time and 20 jump penalties from their cross country yesterday to finish on 59.3. A classy round today kept all the poles in place, with just one second over the allowed time adding 0.4 penalties to their final score.
“It is always nice to finish in the ribbons at a big event, and Kingfisher was incredible all weekend,” shares Emma. “We had a couple of little mistakes in the dressage, so it was encouraging to still be sitting on a competitive score of 32.9. He was just fantastic cross country and we were on track to come in under the time, my goal for the event, so it was disappointing to incur 20 penalties at a relatively straightforward fence near the end of the course, having jumped all the difficult questions well. In hindsight, I had a bit too much pace for the tight turn and he simply didn’t get his eye on the fence in time. He put in his usual good clear showjumping round on the final day, and he has pulled up well.”
Molly Barry and her Impulsive Ways took the final podium place for the class, with 16 jump penalties incurred today for a total of 68.5. They also claimed the Best Performed OTT prize, a great achievement for Molly – who has long been a fan of Thoroughbreds, having produced and campaigned many successful Thoroughbred eventers over the years.
Shenae Lowings and Wollombi Baxter unbeatable in CCN1*L
As the sun was due to set on a spectacular Melbourne International Three-Day Event, the final and remaining class completed their Melbourne experience in the Off The Track CCN1*L for Thoroughbreds.
Shenae Lowings and Wollombi Baxter simply could not be caught by the rest of the field, finishing on their dressage score and claiming the victory after delivery three polished phases (29).
Zaaki, Shenae’s second ride, shared the podium with his stable mate, finishing just 2.9 penalties behind and in third place (31.9).
Hannah Deegan and Zipalon HK squeezed between Shenae’s two mounts, returning to their initial dressage placing of second, despite adding 1.6 time penalties across the country for a total of 30.9.
The Off The Track Thoroughbred class demonstrated not only great ability and athleticism from the athletes, but also a diverse range of horses within the one breeding profile. Many different colours, heights, builds and movers were present throughout the field, highlighting the great ability and enormous appeal of the Thoroughbred athlete.
The Melbourne International Three-Day Event is now complete for another year, and measuring up to the standard of competition and sport in 2027 will be far more achievable than the day-on-day sensational weather that 2026 delivered – but here’s hoping!
With the Australian eventing season now taking a winter break, all focus and attention rests upon the upcoming FEI World Championships in Aachen, and just who will be named to wear the green and gold…
