Wollombi Baxter shines for Shenae Lowings in the CCN1*L
Competitors in the Off The Track CCN1*L for Thoroughbreds were the early risers, first out on course in the crisp winter sunshine.
Whilst the time proved challenging for majority, 12 clear rounds were posted to the scoreboard, including the interim top three.
Shenae Lowings maintained her dressage lead with Wollombi Baxter on a score of 29.
“I’m very happy with how Baxter handled the CCN1*L track today and an atmosphere he wouldn’t have experienced before,” shares Shenae. “He’s a very good, careful jumper so I’m hoping for a great result tomorrow! Fingers crossed all goes to plan!”
Meanwhile Naomi Lawton rose from fourth place to second after a faultless round aboard her Jaggernaut (30.3).
“It was fantastic!” says Naomi. “He was a bit keen in the warm up; I was hoping he would settle in the round, and he did. We had a little slip, and he still looked between the flags, I just couldn’t be happier.”
It’s been 12 years since Naomi competed at MI3DE: “I’m so happy to be back!”
Shenae has no breathing room between her and Naomi tomorrow, with only 0.3 separating their placings.
Samuel Jeffree and Delure are also close behind with a score of 30.6; they too have little room to maintain their position, with less than a rail between the top seven placings.
Kadi Eykamp leads the CCI2*L with Bellhaven Chatterbox
The Off The track CCI2*L posted many faultless rounds, with many riders no doubt pleased with their double clears across the country. The top three placings from dressage remained, and Kadi Eykamp was thrilled with her six-year-old Bellhaven Chatterbox.
“I really value the horse, and I can’t have asked for more so far,” says Kadi.
They head into the final phase with Kadi aware of the main arena and big atmosphere tomorrow: “I’m hoping the training is good and it goes well.”
Belle Morrow was thrilled to have maintained her second placing, particularly given her claim yesterday of “not being very fast”. Fortunately, she proved yesterday’s self wrong, and galloped across the country, finishing easily within the time.
“He gave me the best feeling ever, happy tears at the end. It truly is so special to be sitting on a horse like him. To do him justice and ride quickly was the best feeling. He was strong but not unrideable, which is what we’ve been working on… lost for words to be completely honest!” says Kadi.
Megan Jones and Grandview Halo are less than a time penalty behind Belle, having delivered a round that Megan says grew with confidence as it went on.
“She has a bright future,” says Megan, adding that despite her “wandering snail eyes” out on course, the mare was able to focus on the job at hand. Megan is hoping for the same tomorrow.
Aleisha Lorensen and Finch Farm Chrysler still at the top of the CCIJY2*L
The CCI2*L Junior and Young Rider class mimicked that of the open, as all top three placings from the dressage also held fast.
Aleisha Lorensen (Finch Farm Chrysler), Lydia Proctor (Sandhills Style) and Ella McCrum (Hez All That Jazz) will all be fighting to the wire for honours tomorrow, with all three on penalty scores deemed ti shuffle should a rail fall.
Evie Kamevaar and off-the-track Thoroughbred Sahara Heat lead the CCI3*L
The CCI3*L had undoubtedly the most influential course today, with interim podium placings held by 12th, 13th and 14th respectively form the dressage phase.
A faultless round was elusive for all but four combinations, and a double clear guaranteed a rocketing up the leaderboard.
Evie Kamevaar and off-the-track Thoroughbred Sahara Heat were one of those four clears, proving their tenacity and speed across the country and the power of a partnership many years in the making.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better ride; Ralph was so full of going and made the course feel effortless, taking me around with such ease,” shares Evie.
Oliver Barrett is no stranger to making the time, and fresh off his CCI5*L win at Adelaide, he kept true to recent form, storming around Werribee Park with the fastest time of the field. “She was super today,” says Oliver of Temprenado. “She’s a bit of a machine across the country and she certainly showed that today!” Oliver says he now has his fingers crossed for tomorrow.
Jessica Rae and Chloe rose from 14th place to hold provisional third heading into the final phase tomorrow, just 1 penalty behind Oliver.
Kenya Wilson and Sandros Salute MW gallop into the CCI4*L lead
The Pryde’s EasiFeed CCI4*L also saw a shuffling amongst the ranks, with Western Australian Kenya Wilson and Sandros Salute MW – ever-consistent across the country – one of only four combinations to make it home within the optimum time.
Unlike the other classes, Kenya actually does have a rail in hand and will no doubt be hoping she doesn’t have to use it.
David Middleton and WEC In The Breeze added only two time penalties to their score, sitting that one rail’s length behind Kenya.
Third place is held overnight by another Western Australian, with 18-year-old Charlee Morton-Sharp and off-the-track Thoroughbred SV Supermaxi delivering a faultless round in their CCI4*L debut. Charlee is no stranger to the pressure of jumping in the final three, having performed a clear round that claimed her the win in last year’s CCI3*L here at MI3DE.
Shane Rose and Holy Moses hold a handy lead in the Equestrian Australia CCI4*S
Cross country day’s final class certainly provided some drama, with no combinations making the tight time set out by Ewan Kellett.
Shane Rose and Holy Moses came close, with only 3.6 penalties incurred as the fastest round in the field to finish the day on 34.3.
“He was awesome. Started good… he’s naturally fast and getting more confident, and he knows what’s he’s meant to be doing now. I’m really pleased, he’s a good jumper so I’m hoping he pulls up well and tomorrow is a good day!” says Shane.
Young rider Lamoza Velisha and Call Me Cooley rode a fantastic round. At only her second CCI4* start, Lamoza displayed exceptional talent and grit to not only complete but be very well within the mix at the top of the leaderboard. Whilst 13.6 time penalties leaves quite the gap between her and the top with a score of 47.2, no doubt the experience of another three-day event and CCI4* run will prove valuable to her resume.
Molly Barry and her off-the-track Thoroughbred Impulsive Ways soared up the leaderboard from nineth place after dressage (52.5). A Thoroughbred was handy in a course set truly against the clock, and Molly was rewarded with a provisional place on the podium and 1.5 rails leading her from fourth place in tomorrow’s final phase.
The final and deciding day of Melbourne International Three-Day Event commences tomorrow morning, post final vet inspection, with all classes taking to the main arena throughout the King’s Birthday public holiday.
Watch live and on-demand with Horse & Country
Horse & Country will once again livestream the action from both the cross-country (Sunday 7 June) and show jumping (Monday 8 June) phases, allowing equestrian fans to watch live as it unfolds or catch up on demand at their convenience.
Sign up to watch Melbourne International Three-Day Event via H&C+ here.
