The champagne flows in many ways at the Australian International 3 Day Event
If the Government of South Australia, one of the major sponsors of the Australian International 3 Day Event, were looking around Victoria Park today they must have been pleased.
Show jumping day at the Australian International 3 Day Event has a feel unlike any other event in the world.
Yes, the cross country course in Adelaide is unique but show jumping day too has a very different vibe to many other major eventing competitions with the sunshine and relaxed atmosphere much more beach culture than wellies and wet dogs and the Australian spectators range from the experienced eventing fans to casual city ‘droppers by’ who may not have much idea what is going on but love whatever it is these horses are doing.
The white marquees on one side and Heritage Grandstand on the other neatly package the main arena which this year was particularly green thanks to the rain and irrigation (anyone walking to Riders’ Party last night in their fancy frocks had to duck the big sprinklers), making it an even more inviting picture.
By the time that the CCI4* show jumping phase started at 3:15pm, everyone had been fed and watered according with preferences ranging from a homemade picnic lunch on the terrace or take away plates from the Market Place to a glass of Pimms and oysters in the Giddy Up club or a posh lunch in the VIP marquee. The entertaining World Cup show jumping took place during the lunch break then, with the jumps lowered slightly on the John Vallance course, it was the turn of the CCI4* competitors.
With only 10 competitors it was never going to be a long affair but there was still the possibility of some drama with less than a rail between Hazel Shannon in the lead and Will Enzinger in second place on Wenlock Aquifer. Will was also lying fourth on Britannica MVNZ so jumped out of order first for just four faults on the big grey to maintain his fourth place and finish on 71.80.
The atmosphere in the arena and the rigours of the previous day can cause all sorts of problems on the final day of an event as New Zealand’s Andy Daines on Spring Panorama, Emily Gray on Jocular Vision and even Shane Rose on Glenorchy South Park found out. They had show jumping rounds with 17, 28 and 8 faults respectively but the clear rounds of Tegan Lush on Tempus Fugit, Rohan Luxmoore on Bells ‘N Whistles and Stuart Tinney on War Hawk each got the rousing ‘clear round fanfare’ and an enthusiastic reception from the crowd. Australian crowds may be smaller than those at events in the UK, but Australians know how to make a noise at a sporting event!
Andrew Cooper couldn’t quite keep the clear rounds going with eight faults on Evergem Perfection (above) but his finishing score of 67.70 was good enough for third place and his first podium finish at a CCI4*. We spoke to Andrew and Bec Zamel, the owner of Evergem Perfection about their horse
Andrew Cooper and Bec Zamel
Will and Wenlock Aquifer
Wenlock Aquifer doesn’t have the most technically correct way of show jumping which had the crowd oohing and aahing and resulted in 12 faults today but it was good enough to leave Will in second place.
With some pressure off Hazel Shannon and Clifford (above) cantered into the arena looking confident but the rails in hand were not required and they produced not only a clear round but a stylish one to become the 2016 Australian International 3 Day Event CCI4* winners.
Watch our video interview with Hazel here
