If the organising committee of the Adelaide Equestrian Festival placed an order for perfect conditions, huge crowds, and excellent sport, then their wish was most certainly granted today.
The RB Sellars Cross Country Day saw 59 combinations challenge Clayton Fredericks and Mike Everington-Smith’s beautiful courses, set in the heart of Adelaide city in Rymill Park.
The premier class of the Adelaide Equestrian Festival, the CCI5*L had 11 combinations complete the course — and whilst time was difficult to chase for some, Sam Woods timed it perfectly, finishing bang on optimum time to claim the overnight lead with SS Eight Count (33.2).
Sam showed a couple of moments of true athleticism (and stickability!), riding with sheer determination and incredible balance, as well as some luck thrown in to counteract the gravity!
“Riding a lot of racehorses keeps you fit — and you’ve got to be pretty fit to get around that five-star,” said Sam.
New Zealand’s Madison Seivwright is just 0.2 points behind Sam on 33.4, just slipping her dressage lead aboard Waitangi Pinterest with 6.4 time penalties added. “She was absolutely brilliant, we had a very good day, she was very up for it!” said Madison of her mare. “She’s normally a good show jumper, but we just need to take it as it comes tomorrow.”
Oliver Barrett had a classy round in his CCI5*L debut with 4.8 time penalties added to his dressage score with Sandhills Briar (35.4). Oliver withdrew his other ride in the class, Sandhills Gem.
Kenya Wilson and Sandros Salute MW atop the Horseland CCI4*S field and Australian maintains the Senior Oceania Championship lead
Playing host to the Senior Oceania Championship, the CCI4*S cross country most certainly shuffled the leaderboard — with time penalties impacting more than half the field.
Western Australian Kenya Wilson aboard Sandros Salute MW climbed to the overnight lead, with nine seconds over the optimum time added to their score (37.8). Kenya said she is trying to enjoy the moment of holding the lead.
“It’s pretty surreal! I really couldn’t be more proud of him today; he galloped and jumped his heart out, we loved it out there!” reflected Kenya.
Jess Somerfield and APH New Sensation are a narrow 1.3 penalties behind Kenya, adding ten seconds of time to their dressage score to end the day on 39.1.
“He’s a really cool horse, very green at this level but a quick attitude and quick on his feet… he certainly was out there!” enthused Jess. “Nearly everything came up to plan. I’m impressed every day by this horse; it’s really exciting!”
With the show jumping being APH New Sensation’s favourite phase, Jess is feeling good about tomorrow: “I don’t know where he gets his energy from… he’s ready to go again, full of life and energy! He is a horse that I love to jump at a three-day, he gives everything.”
New Zealander Carys McCrory and Nemesis hold third place on 39.4 and the top spot of the Kiwi contingent, with a faultless round boosting them up the leaderboard. “There was a lot out there with the atmosphere and the crowds; it just kept coming at you. The footing was great, [Nemesis] just loved every minute of it and answered every question,” she said.
Carys admits that she’s a little nervous ahead of show jumping now that they’ve climbed a few positions, but said she will take it as it comes. “I’m stoked with him today so no matter what happens tomorrow, I’m pretty happy… it would be nice to have a clear round though!”
Australia’s Gold Team — comprised of Sophia Hill and Tulara Baltango, Sam Jeffree and Wimbourne Conjuror, and Hannah Klep with Tulara Chicouve — lead the Senior Oceania Championship (132.1). The fourth combination, Shenae Lowings and Bold Venture, had been leading the CCI4*S following the dressage but elected to withdraw today.
“I’m absolutely gutted that we’ve had to make the decision to withdraw Bentley from Adelaide after a great day of dressage,” said Shenae this morning. “He isn’t 100% this morning and his welfare is absolute priority! We will save him for another day and good luck to everyone! I’m sorry I’ve let my Australia teammates down, but I will be supporting every step of the way.”
Australia’s Green Team (136.4) is placed second, followed by New Zealand (174.4).
Australia maintains the Young Rider Oceania Championship lead
A stellar day of equestrian sport started with the Racing SA CCI3*L this morning, inclusive of the Young Rider (Under-25) Oceania Championship competition.
The Australian team were formidable across the country, adding only 2.4 time penalties to their total score to maintain their lead ahead of New Zealand.
Individual leader and Australian team member Georgia Elias was thoroughly ecstatic, crossing through the finish line to huge cheers from the Australian team supporters.
Although Georgia found it difficult to be the last horse out, she rallied her nerves to put a little bit of a deep spot early on in the course behind them. “The rest of the course was amazing, ‘Aussie’ (Silverwoods Aussie Pride) was just on the job,” said Georgia. “Coming through those finish flags, there was just no other feeling like it.
“To have ‘Australia’ on my uniform and be all in amongst the team has been amazing!”
Georgia and Aussie (29.4) head into tomorrow’s show jumping phase with a narrow 1.8-penalty lead over fellow team member, Tahlia Pursell with Astro NZPH (31.2).
Tahlia added 2.4 time penalties to her total, due entirely to a watch malfunction early in the course that left her with no indication of time. “My watch stopped working after the four-minute mark, I had to play it by ear. But he was clear, he was fast, he was fantastic!” said Tahlia.
Tahlia too shared the sentiment of Georgia in wearing the green and gold: “It’s such a privilege to be riding for your country, and at an event like this, it really sets you up for the future.”
Chloe Daun was completely thrilled with her PEC Fairytale (31.5): “He was an absolute star! He was a little bit spooky in the water, but apart from that he was just a star!”
Only 3.8 penalties separate the top six placings, with any rails falling sure to be influential in tomorrow’s final phase.
The final phase of competition will commence on the Gillian Rolton Main Arena tomorrow morning, after the completion of the final veterinary inspection. It’s certainly going to go down to the wire and will be thrilling viewing!
