Today the riders took to the infamous cross-country course at Syd3de to test their skill, bravery and fitness! The Mike Etherington-Smith designed 4* courses sprawled across the picturesque Sydney International Equestrian Centre as the combinations battled for top honours.
Overnight leaders of the Ariat CCN4*-S Stuart Tinney and Elisabeth Brinton’s ‘Celebration’ held onto the top spot incurring no jumping penalties and only 1.6 time penalties. Stuart’s second ride for the competition ‘Leporis’ also took the course in stride with no jumping faults and 3.2 time penalties, seeing the combination remain in third position. However, Shane Rose jumped his way into second place from fourth following yesterday’s dressage test riding this World Equestrian Games 2018 horse Virgil to finish with a clear round.
The cross-country phase proved challenging for combinations in the Bates Saddles CCI4*-S class today with lots of movement in the standings. Sam Lyle and ‘BF Valour’ retain their lead after jumping clear but accumulating 9.2 time penalties. Jessica Rae and ‘Fifth Avenue’ have leapt up the Leaderboard moving from 13th after dressage into second place after cross-country. Gemma Tinney and Diablo now round out the top three moving up two places into third with no jumping faults and 12.4 time across the country today.
The Kohnkes Own CCI4*-L saw a shake up in the standings following today’s cross country with yesterday’s leader Tara Rogers riding Denison Park Smooth activating a MIM clip and ultimately retiring during cross-country, seeing Hayley Frielick and Dunedin Black Watch move from third to first after their faultless round Andrew Cooper riding Omega Star remains in second place after incurring 4 time faults on course and Sam Woods riding Cage Fighter moves up to third place heading into tomorrow’s show jumping phase.
Niki Rose and Dreamcatcher retained their lead in the Ceva CCI3*-L adding just 0.4 time to their score. Andrew Cooper and Hey Arnold moved up one place into second and he also holds 3rd place on Manhattan.
Show jumping tomorrow will see the final places decided.
See the full XC results HERE
