Saturday at the Limitless Lodge Sydney International Three-Day Event saw combinations in the star classes tackle the Chris Ross–designed cross country course. While some dressage leaders held their position, several classes experienced a reshuffle ahead of Sunday’s final show jumping phase.
Limitless Lodge CCI4*L
Shenae Lowings and 15-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred Bold Venture (Devaraja x Zamoff) have maintained their lead in the CCI4*L, going clear and under time to remain on their dressage score of 27.2.
A further three combinations also remain on their dressage scores, with Oliver Barrett and Sandhills Briar holding second on 31, Sophia Hill and Tulara Baltango third on 35, and last year’s winners Sam Jeffree and Santoro fourth on 35.8 after rising from eighth place following the dressage phase. Oliver Barrett and Sandhills Gem round out the top five, adding just 3.6 time penalties to finish the day on 39.2.
Agnes Banks Equine Clinic CCI4*S
In the CCI4*S, Sam Woods and SS Eight Count lead on 38 after producing the equal-fastest time of the day and adding just 4.8 penalties to their dressage score. The other quick round came from Zachary Thorne and Wu Gok, who climbed to sixth on 54.9 following an excellent cross country performance.
Dressage leaders Christine Bates and Bloomfield Findon (Fiderstern x Don Davidoff) added 8.8 time faults to sit second on 38.5, while Andrew Barnett and Oscar Park Deluge hold third on 42. Deon Stokes and Fantastik Mr Fox are fourth on 43.7, with Hazel Shannon and WillingaPark Chelsea fifth on 51.9.
4CYTE CCI3*L
Hannah Deegan and her 12-year-old Thoroughbred HK Hawthorn (Toorak Toff x Volksraad) hold their lead in the CCI3*L on their dressage score of 31.7, with six other combinations also completing clear and under time.
Olivia Shore and Eliva Castana rose to second on their dressage score of 33.1, while Lamoza Velisha and Call Me Cooley remain on their dressage score of 35.1 in third. Andrew Cooper and Ocean Eight sit fourth on 35.8 after a fault-free round, and Oliver Barrett with Temprando complete the top five on 37.9.
Rosehip Vital CCI3*S
Emma Mason and evergreen 19-year-old Warrego Marco Polo were clear and under time, rising from third to lead the CCI3*S on 28.6.
Asha Warnock made one of the biggest moves of the day, jumping from tenth to second after adding nothing to her dressage score of 34.3. Tahlia Pursell and Astro NZPH rose from sixth to third, adding just 4 time penalties to sit on 35.4. Dressage leaders Niki Rose and her seven-year-old Zangersheide gelding Cooley All Over (Cristello 7 x Dollar du Murier) collected 12.8 time faults but remain in touch in fourth (38.9). Lauren Browne and her 18-year-old Thoroughbred Sky’s Da Limit added 8 penalties but rose to fifth on 39.7.
Bates Saddles CCI2*L
Lamoza Velisha and Ophelie Van Prinseveld remained on their dressage score of 28.4 to move from second into the lead of the CCI2*L.
Christine Bates and Statford Matilda were clear and under time to hold second on 28.8, while Megan Jones and Cadello MPH were similarly fault-free to remain on 28.9 in third. Cathryn Herbert with CH Collette and Georgia Spangaro with Lord Wimborne remain tied in fourth on 31.4.
CCN1*
Hannah Deegan enjoyed a strong day across the levels and also leads the CEVA CCN1* (A) with Thoroughbred Zipalon HK on 29.8. Deon Stokes remains in the lead for the Bucas CCN1* (B) with Freycinet II on 24.6.
Sunday begins with the all-important second horse inspection, with the final jumping phase set to start from 10am AEDT with the CCI2*L, followed by the CCI3*S, CCI3*L, CCI4*S, and CCI4*L.
