The 4CYTE CCI3*L kicked off proceedings with 23 riders taking to the main arena this morning, where Oliver Barrett continued his strong form, following on from success at Adelaide Equestrian Festival, this time on the lovely ‘Sandhills Gem’.
“I was so happy with her, she’s a really cool horse to ride and a beautiful horse to look at, she really turned it on today,” says Oliver. “She did a good test today and I couldn’t be prouder of how she handled the atmosphere.”
Having looked at the course and thinking ahead to Sunday, Oliver admits, “I don’t think it’s going be a dressage competition; three day events never are, but she’s a great jumper and if I do her justice, hopefully she’ll do well.”
Fellow New South Welshman, Charlie Richardson holds second place with OTT ‘Remington Hill’, a relatively new partnership that started in November last year. “I’m very pleased with him and looking forward to the cross country. It’s big and technical; we’ll have to be on our game, but I am looking forward to it,” he says.
Another Charlee rounds out the top three, this time Charlee Morton-Sharp with her own OTT ‘SV SuperMaxi’. The gelding by Redoute’s Choice has certainly made the enormous trip from Western Australia well, putting his best foot forward in phase one.
Evie Kamevaar leads CCI2*L J/YR
The afternoon saw 26 of the country’s best junior and young riders take on the dressage phase of the CCI2*L J/YR.
Evie Kamevaar was delighted to find herself in the lead on ‘MP Chevrolet’ at his debut three day-event start. “He handled the atmosphere so well, he felt great and it’s exciting because I think there is even more to come, but I’m really excited with that result,” she says.
Having walked the course Evie noted that “it has its challenges and it’s big, but it’s doable; crowds and atmosphere will be the difference.”
Ella McCrum and ‘Hez All That Jazz’ really were ‘all that jazz’, slotting into equal-second place. The Western Australia cohort clearly has some excellent dressage training available on the other side of the Nullarbor.
If consistency is key, then Oliver Barrett was definitely that today. He says his second ride, ‘Tempranado’, “was a great ride, a personal best today and I’m excited to take on the cross country. She’s still a bit green but looking forward to seeing just how good she is.” They sit in equal-third place.
Oliver admits that he has two special mares here who he really enjoys working with, and he says this affinity for lovely mares is “something that started with Sandhills Special.”
Equal-third place heading into Sunday is Victorian and MI3DE first-timer, Charlotte White riding ‘Remi Lord of the Realm’. “I’m really excited to be here, it’s been a long time coming… we’ve had him for 3 years and after a couple of injuries it’s just so nice to have him out there and feeling fit and healthy,” says Charlotte. Having walked the course, she knows Remi is super capable: “I’ve just got to give him a good ride.”
The first seven riders of the CCI2*L completed their dressage tests this afternoon. Stay tuned for a results report and comments from the top three riders following the conclusion of the dressage tomorrow.
Friday results:
CCI2*L J/YR:
1. Evie Kamevaar and MP Chevrolet 30.5
2. Ella McCrum and Hez All That Jazz 32.6
=3. Oliver Barrett and Tempranado 33.5
=3. Charlotte White and Remi Lord Of The Realm 33.5
CCI3*L:
1. Oliver Barrett and Sandhills Gem 29.6
2. Charlie Richardson and Remington Hill 31.7
3. Charlee Morton-Sharp and SV Supermaxi 32.2
CCI2*L (second half of the draw to ride Saturday):
1. Sam Woods and Eliva Barnaby 32.1
2. Shane Rose and Limitless lodge Zsa Zsa 33.3
3. Katrina Silk and Bensons Quantum Leap 35.8
