It was high action and hot weather for the Bates Saddles Cross Country Day. As the thermometer continued to rise riders and organisers were pleased to have run the 3 star and 4 star classes early in the day.
New Zealand’s Maddy Sievwright and Waitangi Pinterest were true professionals around the R.M.Williams CCI4*-L adding just 0.8 time to retain their overnight lead.
“It felt tough out there. She fought for me and got the job done. I had a hairy moment at the second water. She came charging down the hill not expecting it but she was clever and carried on,” said Maddy.
‘She finished really well and is bright and happy.”
Sam Jeffree and Santoro finished clear within the time to move up to second place.
Fifth Avenue and Jessica Rae remain on their dressage score for third place.
Six horses finished inside the time which indicated that they were finishing strongly despite the temperature reaching nudging 30 degrees at midday as the class came to a close.
Course Designer Chris Ross commented, “I was very pleased with the day there where some testing lines out there that were jumped very well by accomplished combinations.
Having six inside the time between the top five horses will make for an exciting showjumping day tomorrow”.
Oliver Barrett and Sandhills Special have extended their overnight lead in the ABEC Apiam Health CCI4*-S. The tough track saw plenty of penalties added to scores however Oliver rode a polished round and was the quickest of the day finishing with just 2.8 time penalties for a total of 32.3. Justine Streater and Quintina were next best adding 10 time for a score of 44.5.
Christine Bates guided Blomfield Findon around the Limitless Lodge CCI3*-L for a faultless round. They are sitting on their dressage score of 29.3 and retain the lead. 21-year-old Hannah Rockwell improved her position from 7th to 2nd aboard Bold Cointreau. Blomfield Findon and Bold Cointreau also hold the top two spots in the Kohnke’s Own Young Event Horse 7/8yo Championship which is run within the open classes.
Niki Rose and Dreamrush remain the leaders in the CopRice CCI2*-L. Managing to stay on their overnight score of 29.1 and in doing so also lead the Kohnke’s Own Young Event Horse 6/7yo Championship. In second place in both the CCI2* and the 6/7yo Young Event Horse Championship is Judy Clarke and Oaks Quisimodo. Judy’s double clear elevated her from fourth place when Shene Rose and Time to Cooley incurred 20 penalties and Shenae Lowings took a dip in the water.
Niki Rose is also leading the Rosehip Vital CCN1*-L aboard Cooley All Over staying on 24.6. Shenae Lowings, who has the ride on riding Stuart Tinneys Caruso while Stuart recovers from injury, is in second place.
Niki is still on her Syd3DE hattrick as she is also winning the Bates Saddles CCI1*-L on Limitless Lodge Zsa Zsa. Codie White remains in second on The Sun Rose.
All the cross-country action can be viewed on H&C+
Full results can be found here.
