Spectacular Saturday
Sat, 11 Jul 2015 – Cross Country Day
Today we learnt the true meaning of the word organic – it is to ride with no added preservatives, up to and including life preservation… We saw a couple of different versions of organic produce across the grades! But as we have come to expect, we saw some brilliant riding and some wonderful horses and as an added bonus, the weather stayed on the more positive end of the sunshine spectrum for most of the day.
So to the awards…
The ‘SAT TIGHT!’ Award – Abby Kernaghan and Belcam Concerto had a massive moment at the water in the CCN95, leaving Abby no option but to navigate the rolltop out with precisely half a stirrup and not much more in the reins department either!
The ‘Didn’t Sit Tight’ Award – Mr H.K. Ryan is a surprising entrant in this category after his CCN80 horse Flash Bandit got the wibble-wobbles out of the box and promptly fell over BEFORE fence 1! Fi was kind enough to catch the horse and return it to Heath, but this may have been because Flash Bandit had actually joined her in the STR marquee…
Ride of the Day – Emily Pursehouse and Kayuna Smokey Joe – yep, we know it was only the CCN80, but Emily did pilot the enormous Smokey Joe notably well!
Man From Snowy River Award – Emma Sullivan and Clifton Tasman – Emma resisted the urge to wave her whip hand behind her head, but she certainly was riding with enough purpose to have me humming the Man From Snowy River theme song and thinking of the line “Ride boldly, lad, and never fear the spills”!
The Abs, Butts & Thighs Award – Judith Clarke and Hit Parade – Judy’s prelim horse gave her a pretty intense total body workout for the duration of the 7 minute track, his lack of tractability ensuring that she stayed in a Level 3 Toilet Seat from beginning to end of the course!
We are live from 10am EST tomorrow, covering the showjumping and giving you the low down from the Second Horse Inspection. I am desperately hoping that the weather is not as bad as I think it’s going to be…
Freezing Friday at Quirindi
Fri, 10 Jul 2015 – Trot Up & Dressage
Well, we had plenty of warning that the temperatures were going to be relatively hostile for the majority of Quirindi Three Day Event and while the day dawned beautifully, it didn’t take long for the mercury to drop into unfriendly territory.
There were plenty of competitors that found the conditions of the first horse inspection somewhat unforgiving. Given the number of competitors who are attempting their first three day event, Quirindi ground juries usually inspect the horses with a generous measure of forbearance. Today however, saw horses forming a holding pattern in the hold box that resembled an international airport in a snow storm.
The dressage standard could be described as the good (very, very good), the bad (pretty darn ordinary) and the very naughty pony. Lots of classes have a stand out leader, then some very tight scoring which reflects the range of tests. Stuart Tinney and Carlchen (44.5 penalties) have a significant lead in the CCI** from Isabelle McIntyre and Grandios on 51.6 penalties.
Stuart also has a handy lead in the CNC** aboard Pluto Mio, scoring 39.4 penalties and STR Test of the Day. We thought that Tim Boland’s test on Napolean was pretty impressive, but it was Tim’s Gorsehill Star that impressed the people who count and they are second on 44.2 penalties.
Sophie Adam’s Mecator Du Ry continues to threaten ground juries (and Sophie’s toes!) with violence at horse inspections but they forgave him enough to award him with the lead and 43 penalties in the CCI*. Charlie Brister, as well as adding class to the STR proceedings throughout the day, took out second and third on Timmy Almighty and Ashmead Her Highness.
H. K. Ryan and Brigalow R have a whopping lead in the CCN105 with 43.2 penalties ahead of the Connie cross Canopy Grove Damini and Lucy Ramsey on 52 penalties and Hazel Shannon and Signal Fire on 52.3 penalties. ‘Twas grand to see Hazel back with both this horse and Clifford in the two star!
Heath has the lead in the CCN95 as well, aboard the Contenda son Wimbourne Constable. Their 40.8 penalties puts them ahead of David Bryant and Kinnordy Rhena and Ben Blay and Desert Storm – both combinations on 45 penalties.
Heath also smashed the CCN80 class, the thoroughbred gelding Flash Bandit scoring 38.5 penalties with Carolyn Campbell and Indian Story not being within a loud cooee on 47.00. Sharmayne Spencer and HH Animation are rightful leaders of the CCN60 with 47 penalties. Next best in this class are Kayla Sisley and Silverthorn St Ronan on 50.5 penalties.
Cross country day promises to be very interesting – there are weather warnings for gale force winds and predictions of single digit top temperatures. We kick off at 9am with the CCN60 class, and suggest you tune in before we all freeze to death!!
