Sam Woods and SS Eight Count. Image Michelle Terlato Photography.
Time the deciding factor as Sam Woods & SS Eight Count lead the CCI3*L in Adelaide
Inside Adelaide | Presented by RB Sellars
By Equestrian Life
The sun was out from the get-go this morning in the heart of Adelaide, and it was all systems go as the hard-working Adelaide Equestrian Festival team put the finishing touches on the cross country course.
As an event held right beside the CBD, there are roads that only shut the night prior, meaning the event staff are busy laying surfaces over asphalt and fencing off roadways not long before the day begins. It’s amazing to see it all come together and by 8.30am the gates were open, and spectators began making their way down to Victoria Park.
The Racing SA CCI3*L was the first class to run this morning – and it quickly became apparent that time was going to be the deciding factor today.
By the end of 21 combinations, it was Sam Woods and his own SS Eight Count who led the field after being one of only three combinations to finish clear and under time this morning.
Sam and rising 11-year-old gelding SS Eight Count finished the day on 31.8, just 0.1 ahead of dressage leaders Olivia Barton and APH Sodoku, who picked up two time faults to finish on 31.9.
Third in the CCI3*L are Olivia Shore and Dreamcatcher who remained on their dressage score of 32.4, as did the fourth-placed combination of Ellie Gough and Don Jamee on 33. Edward Darby and Dawn Of The Day rounded out the top five on 35.6, after adding just 2.4 time penalties to their score this morning.
Results from the CCI3*L cross country can be found here.
The CCI3*L will be decided following Sunday’s show jumping phase.
Published 20 April 2024.
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