Sammi Birch and Hunter Valley II.
Image: Equestrian Australia High Performance
Sammi Birch wins the CCI4*L at Barroca d’Alva
By Equestrian Life
Sammi Birch has finished on top of the podium with Hunter Valley II in the CCI4*L competition at the Barroca d’Alva eventing winter series in Portugal over the weekend.
The paired scored an impressive 32.5 to finish ahead of New Zealand’s Samantha Lissington and Ricker Ridge Sooty Gnz on 37.8, and Sweden’s Ludwig Svennerstal and Balham Mist on 37.9. Sammi also finished sixth with Finduss Pfb on 46.8.
Portugal is one of the few places where competition is still being held in Europe as Covid-19 and winter halt events elsewhere.
Hunter Valley II, a 15 year old Australian Sport Horse gelding (by Wirragulla Hamlet out of Lilly who is by Brilliant Invader) is co-owned by Sammi Birch and Lyndon McLeod.
Hunter Valley II and Sammi have been a very successful combination over the years. They were part of the winning Aussie team at CHIO Aachen in 2016 when they finished 10th individually, and they also finished 6th individually at the same event two years later in 2018. More recently, they were third in a CCI4*S at Barroca d’Alva earlier this month on a score of 35.6.
Despite numerous top ten finishes at big events around Europe over the years, their victory in the CCI4*L over the weekend at Barroca d’Alva was their first international (FEI) win. It was also their first official CCI4*L competition; they were fourth at Pau CCI4* in 2017, which is now reclassified as a CCI5L*, and were also placed in a number of CCI3* events before they were reclassified as CCI4*L).
Congratulations to Sammi and Hunter Valley II on a very well deserved win!
Full results can be found here.
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