Will Enzinger with Wenlock Aquifer. (Julie Wilson/FEI)
Lausanne (SUI), 4 November 2016 – Australia’s Will Enzinger claimed victory in the dressage in Adelaide (AUS) at the FEI Classics™ – second leg of this prestigious series uniting the world’s six four-star Eventing competitions – with his 12-year-old Thoroughbred, Wenlock Aquifer.
This gelding by Alannan won a maiden race at Adelaide’s Victoria Park Racecourse back in 2006 over 900 metres, and as the first of the ten combinations to contest the four-star dressage phase, Enzinger and Wenlock Aquifer took the lead with 51.80 penalties and held it.
“I am really happy being in this position and Aquifer is well prepared for this competition,” said Enzinger.
“The cross country course tomorrow will be tougher than last year – everything has been tightened up. Where last year we had two strides, this year we have one, and there is more room for error. I just have to go clear and fast.”
The Thoroughbreds usually shine on cross country day, but Hazel Shannon riding the glowing chestnut 11-year-old Clifford now holds second place with 52.10 penalties.
There is nothing extravagant about this Passing Shot gelding, but as Hazel said, “He just keeps doing his job; he has the biggest heart”.
And this is just what is needed to tackle Mike Etherington-Smith’s challenging cross country course, which runs through the spectacular Adelaide parklands surrounding the city.
Victorian veterinarian, Rowan Luxmore currently holds third place in this second leg of the FEI Classics™ series on 53.20 riding his home-bred Irish Sport Horse, Bells ‘N’ Whistles by Ard Black Cat.
”It is a dream to ride at this level,” said Luxmore, who is having his first four-star run this year. “This Adelaide FEI Classics event is amazing for us here in Australia.”
Cross Country phase – true test of #TwoHearts
Adelaide’s biggest ever crowd is expected for cross country day.
Cross Country is the most exhilarating phase of Eventing, requiring determination, courage and unfailing trust between horse and rider to clear one imposing obstacle after another – a true test of #TwoHearts.
See the 2016 virtual course walk here: http://australian3de.com.au/cross-country/.
Don’t miss a hoofbeat! Watch it all LIVE on www.feitv.org.
See full results: www.australian3de.com.au/results.
Social media: #FEIClassics #Eventing #TwoHearts
See FEI Classics™ hub: www.fei.org/fei/events/fei-classics.
By Anna Sharpley
Australian International 3 Day Event Media Contact:
Katherine Maitland
Marketing and Public Relations Manager
katherine@lightbulbmedia.com.au
+61 407 721 004
FEI Media Contact:
Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145