Nine horses progressed to the final day and phase of the CCI4*-L at the 2025 Melbourne International Three Event. Sophia Hill and ‘Tulara Baltango’ were victorious for the title, knocking only one rail to claim the win.
Despite this being his first CCI4* long format, Tulara Baltango looked a picture of scope and style, a credit to Sophia’s skill and experience. “I’m absolutely thrilled with how he performed, he’s such an exciting horse for the future,” says Sophia.
“It is absolutely a relief. I feel like it’s little a bit of a redemption for me after what happened at Adelaide,” she adds, referring to the final phase last month’s CCI5*L where she accidentally missed a jump with Humble Glory.
Shane Rose too had one rail, claiming second place on ‘Holy Moses’, who he says at only seven years old is a bit inexperienced. “We’ve been doing a bit of work; he’s getting better all the time. I’m really pleased with where he’s at; he’s got a really bright future.”
The very near future for Shane actually looks like jumping on a plane tonight to Germany to go see his “little girl” Easy Turn, who he will compete with at Luhmühlen International Horse Trials this week.
Hannah Klep and ‘Tulara Chicouve’ had two fences down to finish in third place.
The very wet arena created some challenges for the class, with only one clear round posted by Stuart Tinney and ‘Viennesse’.
4CYTE CCI3*L
Fifteen combinations show jumped in the CCI3*L this afternoon, five of which jumped clear around a track that was influential for some.
Overnight leader Charlee Morton-Sharp from WA and her ‘SV Supermaxi’ produced a beautiful clear round to confirm themselves as winners. “He came out with his game face today and gave me his absolute all,” says Charlee, who 17 years young rode with an impressive resolve of calm and confidence. “I was trying not to think about that placing and all of that. I knew I just needed to give him the right ride,” she says, admitting that the feeling of winning is indescribable. “He really is super by name and super by nature!”
Western Australia also took second place with another young rider, Ruby Rae and ‘WHF Frequency’. Ruby admits that she was quite nervous coming to Melbourne, as this is their first CCI3* long format. At only 18 years old, Ruby too handled her nerves well, adding nothing to their dressage score. “Neville completed every phase with ease and tried his heart out for me,” says Ruby. They have their sights set on some more CCI3*L events for next season, and Ruby says she is enjoying the journey with this incredible horse.
Clear rounds certainly paid dividends, with Oliver Barrett’s clear aboard Sandhills Gem securing their podium finish in third place. “I couldn’t be happier with the way she show jumped today, she is such a lovely horse,” reflects Oliver.
Worth mentioning again is the incredible domination of the results in the CCI3*L by the Western Australian riders: they finished in six of the top ten placings (first, second, fifth, seventh, ninth and tenth). More to read about soon on the West Aussies!
Off The Track CCI2*L
A battle of the Roses transpired in the CCI2*L, with Niki Rose and ‘Cooley All Over’ reigning victorious, in front of Shane Rose and ‘Limitless Lodge Zsa Zsa’.
“It’s always good to beat Shane, it doesn’t happen very often,” admits Niki. Having led from start to finish and adding only 1.6 time penalties from yesterday’s cross country, Niki says she was confident he would be competitive if she rode him well. “He has so much potential, it was great to win; the two-star class at Melbourne is always a tough class and a big field. I was glad to get it done.”
Shane rode the beautiful ‘Limitless Lodge Zsa Zsa’ to finish in second place on their dressage score. Shane was given the ride on Zsa Zsa only a few weeks ago. “It would have been rude to beat me on that horse!” says Niki.
“I’m happy to come second to Niki, I’m really pleased for her,” says Shane, as he headed to the truck to pack and leave tonight for Germany.
Christopher Height and ‘Royale Remington’ had an enormous climb up the leaderboard from their dressage position of 35th to finish in third place on 38 penalties, a brilliant example of the value of finishing on your dressage score. “She jumped super. The going yesterday had them a bit tired today, but she tried hard and I’m really happy to have ended up in third place,” he enthuses.
Godolphin Lifetime Care CCI2*L J/YR
The CCIJ/YR 2*L had another shuffling of the leaderboard after the final phase today, with only 0.6 penalties separating the final three.
Victorian Lamoza Velisha and ‘Call Me Cooley’ took top honours, meaning both CCI2* classes were won by ‘Cooley’ horses this year at MI3DE.
Lamoza was thrilled to “have all the hard work pay off”. ‘Pash’ as he is known in the stables delivered a fantastic double clear yesterday across the course and Lamoza says they “played it safe in the showjumping today” with the weather still influential on the surface.
Lamoza had a huge support crew present today: “I could not have done this weekend without my coaches Yona Lloyd and Karen Blythe and of course the team at home. The win was super.”
Fellow Victorian Dominik Michalczyk was only 0.1 penalties behind Lamoza to take second place as well as the prize for best performed OTT aboard ‘Fort Wirth’.
Oliver Barrett was third with Tempranado, and says he was proud of her effort today to jump clear. “She showed a lot of class and I’m excited for what’s to come,” says Oliver.
Off The Track CCN1*L
The CCN1*L for OTT horses was the last class to complete their MI3DE experience today. Competition was challenging, with only two clear rounds resulting from the 22 combinations.
One fence down was the only penalty added to Marlene Battedou and Le Grand d Amour’s incredible run this weekend. They led from the start and finished there too with Marlene keeping her composure and focus throughout.
Both placegetters also added a rail to their finishing scores, with Charlie Richardson and ‘VH Wingman’ in second place and Shashank Kataria and ‘Tonashi’ taking third.
The CCIN*L is now in its second year as an inclusion at MI3DE and had proved successful in showcasing the many varying types of Thoroughbreds out there that all have one thing in common – they love to event.
Results:
CCI1*L for OTT
1. Marlen Battedou and Le Grand d Amour 33.7
2. Charlie Richardson and VH Wingman 36.2
3. Shashank Kataria and Tanoshi 36.8
CCI2*L
1. Niki Rose and Cooley All Over 27.3
2. Shane Rose and Limitless Lodge Zsa Zsa 33.3
3. Christopher Height and Royale Remington 38
CCI2*L J/YR
1. Lamoza Velisha and Call Me Cooley 34.9
2. Dominik Michalczyk and Fort Wirth 35
3. Oliver Barrett and Tempranado 35.5
CCI3*L
1. Charlee Morton-Sharp and SV Supermaxi 32.2
2. Ruby Rae and WHF Frequency 33.7
3. Oliver Barrett and Sandhills Gem 37.6
CCI4*L
1. Sophia Hill and Tulara Baltango 42.4
2. Shane Rose and Holy Moses 44.4
3. Hannah Klep and Tulara Chicouve 47.9
