On the Melbourne countdown
With only a few days to go before the start of Melbourne 3 Day Event the major work has been done on the cross country course and the final dressing is being done by Ewan Kellett and his hard working crew.
“I’m pretty happy with the course,” said Ewan. “Although we follow the same track as last year there are quite a few different fences. We have built some new portables while others have been moved to new spots and this year we have a few more ‘fences in the ground’ that we haven’t had in previous years. In some areas we have used a slightly lighter style of timber giving a more open aspect to those fences.
The Rose Garden last year - how different will it look this year?
I think overall the 3* class is a fair test. In a couple of areas I have left it up to the riders to make decisions about the way they approach and jump certain fences. For example towards the end of the course the riders will walk through the gates into the rose garden looking at the mound probably wondering where their fence is. That’s because this year we have a fence before the mound and then they have to find their own way to the road and up the other side. It will be an interesting question but I think they will cope with it well. Of course we will all be wise on Sunday evening.
At the moment the ground is really good and we are hoping that the wet weather we are having now will have all gone by the time the event gets underway. But if we need to do anything to improve ground conditions we are ready to do that.”
As well as the usual CCI star classes Melbourne are also running a CNC3* class for the shadow squad riders. As far as the cross country course goes the class will run around the minimum requirements for a CNC3* which is likely to incorporate two and three star fences. “The class is designed to give the riders and their horses a nice run in their pre Olympic campaign,” said National Performance Director Prue Barrett.
With seven or so combinations expected to enjoy a run in the CNC3*, 23 in the CCI3*, 36 in the CCI2*, 78 in the CCI* and 24 juniors in their CCI* class it should be a good weekend of eventing fun for all concerned. As for the weather, well we always expect dreadful weather at Werribee so if it's good that will be a bonus and whatever the weather An Eventful Life will be there covering all the action.
Keep a look out for photographer Toni-Anne who will be at Werribee snapping away
