Wendy Schaeffer-MacDonald and Sun Showers
It was fitting that South Australian Olympic gold medallist Wendy Schaeffer-Macdonald was the first rider to ride around the new John Nicholson 3* course at Lakes & Craters
“I’ve ridden here over so many years” said Wendy, who is now UK based but came home to compete in Adelaide with Sun Showers who she was riding today “I even remember riding Sunburst (her Olympic horse) around here!”
Sun Showers didn’t have the best preparation for Adelaide, recovering from a small injury just days before competing and losing vital preparation time but she looked very good on the CCI3* course today.
Despite eating up the course on the very hilly track the pair incurred 32 time penalties and they are now the only competitors in the CCI3* as Jaimie Stitchel and Image Blue Ice were eliminated on course when Image Blue Ice managed to straddle a brush fence late in the course
Wendy Schaeffer-MacDonald
Emily Anker and Glenwood Park Cooper Street
In the CIC3* Emily Anker is also the only competitor left in the CIC2* and CIC3* classes but she enjoyed both of her rides today. Glenwood Park Cooper Street picked up 34 time penalties while Pop The Question incurred 32 time faults
Meryl Dekker and Drummer were looking good (above) until they went for a bit of a swim (below)
The only other rider in the CIC2*, Meryl Dekker, took a ducking in the water from her gorgeous Clydie cross Drummer. They both got a bit wet but Drummer patiently waited as Meryl got to her feet and both were fine if a bit soggy!
Ben Tyson, who had a win at Colac recently on Equineaffaire Cassanova, who are currently third in the CCI1*, is also the only competitor left in the CCI2* as Madeleine O’Callaghan withdrew before cross country. Ben is riding Chilli Class here and they had a good round but picked up 57.6 time penalties
Meg Bishop and Sovereign Venture
Meg Bishop and Sovereign Venture lead the CCI1*, having added nothing to their very good dressage score of 38.60 ahead of Bryoni Butler and Whiskey Hunter in second place.
Although it seems that everyone is very much in favour of the new Nicholson courses, it seems that the challenge now is to ride them economically!
More to come from Lakes & Craters tomorrow .........
