Tips for the Two Star at 2017 Aus3DE

      Emma King and DVZ Chevalier win at Wooroloo in May

An Eventful Life will be filming all competitors on cross country at the Mitsubishi Motors Australian International 3 Day Event - find out more here

Who are we tipping for the Horseland CCI2* at the Mitsubishi Motors Australian International 3 Day Event in Adelaide?

Well, sorry to disappoint but to be honest, we don’t think you can ever really tell who is going to win an event. However of the 48 entries in the Horseland CCI2* (including 10 entries for the Bates Saddles Australian Young Rider Championship) there are a few whose recent performances make us pay attention ....

There are plenty of entries from Western Australia and one stands out with one of the few sub-40 dressage scores at this level in recent times.

Emma King impressed at the 2016 Melbourne International 3 Day Event, finishing second and third on DVZ Chevalier and Em and M Russell; they didn’t have quite the same success in 2017 at CCI2* level with DVZ Chevalier finishing 14^th but they have been doing well at home in Western Australia this year.

The grey warmblood DVZ Chevalier won the CIC2* at Pinjarra, WA in Sept, starting with a personal best dressage score of 39.4 in front of 3*/4* judges PollyAnn Huntington, Nicoli Fife and Elaine Green. They added 7.6 time penalties on cross country and finished on 47.6 while the chestnut Em & M Russell finished third (59.6). Emma is bringing both horses to Adelaide for this class

Emma and DVZ Chevalier also won the CIC2* at Wooroloo, WA in May (where Emma and DVZ Chevalier posted another good dressage score of 40.9) and another well known Western Australian rider, Belinda Isbister finished fourth on Here To Stay. However Belinda won the class at Wooroloo in August, finishing on 58.3 and she is bringing both Here To Stay and Aqua across the Nullarbor

Mattea Davidson and Kinnordy Gwendolyn were fourth in the CCI1* at the 2016 Melbourne International 3DE

Another one who will be travelling some distance is Mattea Davidson, making the trip from Queensland with Kinnordy Gwendolyn. This pair finished second at Goulburn CIC2* recently on a score of 55.1.

If they are in a good position after the cross country, look out for this girl who show jumps at World Cup level (not surprising as she is married to Grand Prix show jumper Shane) and this pair have only had one show jumping time fault at international since August 2015. Mattea is also bringing two horses with APH Charlie Brown also making the journey

      Andrew Cooper and Darwin Park Echo at Melbourne Int 3DE

The winners of the CIC2* at Goulburn were however Andrew Cooper and Darwin Park Echo who finished on their dressage score of 48. Andrew has only ridden the 11 year old owned by Larissa Schulz since earlier this year and they finished 10^th at Melbourne International 3DE in June in the CCI1* and took the best placed Off The Track prize but they retired on cross country at Werribee in September. It seems that Andrew has sorted that little issue out in view of their performance at Goulburn so keep an eye on this one

       Edith Kane and Valenthyme

In fourth place at Goulburn were Edith Kane and Valenthyme, an eight year old liver chestnut warmblood/TB cross who just needs  a bit of luck and the stars to align. Valenthyme will be being cheered on by his owner (also known as Edith’s mum, Deb) while Edith’s dad, Roger Kane, will be a bit busy with official duties as TD

Another lady to follow will be legal eagle and lovely rider Emma Mason on Justine Streater’s Warrego Marco Polo. This horse led the dressage at Goulburn then had a few problems but Emma has had only two starts on him so this may be third time lucky (and we’re hoping to see another diamante studded outfit again this year Emma .............)

Next time we’ll take a look at the CIC3* entries

Check out our thoughts on the CCI4* class here

Horseland CCI2*

Check out the full entry list on the Aus3DE website here