Tag Archives: Adelaide International 3 Day Event

Shane Rose Creates Adelaide History

Shane Rose, pictured with CP Qualified. (FEI/Julie Wilson)

Lausanne (SUI), 22 November 2015 – Shane Rose (AUS) created history today by taking first and second places at the Adelaide International 3 Day Event, second leg of the FEI Classics™ 2015/2016 series.

Holding on to first place with his Dressage leader, Felicity and Elizabeth Wischer’s CP Qualified, and testing the owners’ nerves by using up his fence in hand, he claimed victory for them with a 1.50 penalty lead.

He then jumped clear on Michelle Hasibar and Brett Jones’ Virgil, and it was this round on the Vivant gelding that seemed to please him the most. “The only way to win is to have horses that don’t knock the poles down,” declared a delighted Rose. Disappointing Dressage scores aside, Rose has challenged the Rio 2016 Olympic Games selectors to ignore him at their peril. He intends to take both horses to Europe next year with a run in the Aachen CIC three-star on the radar as a hope-to-be Rio warm-up.

New Zealander Clarke Johnstone also came to Adelaide with Rio on his mind and his third place and classy performance riding Balmoral Sensation, that jumped clear in the tough final Jumping phase, put a shot across the bows of the UK-based Kiwis. Johnstone, who campaigns the talented grey in 1.50m Jumping classes, intends to head to the UK in April or May next year.

We predicted that Western Australian Sheep farmer Sonja Johnson would be in the hunt in the end, and indeed she was. Johnson was in two minds to come, as her horse suffered a bad overreach not long before it was due to travel to the event. “He really had a poor preparation, as I have only been able to ride him for a few days.” But once on the start list they both gave it their best shot, and Dressage aside the slight in stature, but big in heart Thoroughbred produced one of just four final phase clears to move from 15th place after the Dressage to fourth. Sonja Johnson and her tough little Thoroughbred will not be far from the selectors’ minds when it comes to making Rio team decisions.

Michaela Martindale (AUS) again proved the benefit of a clear stadium Jumping round, and moved from 16th, to 12th and then to fifth riding her Queensland-bred Hanoverian, Kinnordy Gatow by Gymnastik Star. Katja Weimann (AUS) would have been disappointed with her two fences down aboard BP Flamboyant, which left her in sixth place after such a promising start.

All 24 who completed the Cross Country phase passed the final veterinary inspection and it was also pleasing to see how well international traveller Fernhill Present (stable name Hilly) looked on the final day. Alice Dunsdon (GBR) was well received by the crowd that certainly appreciated her effort to get to Adelaide and Hilly lowered one fence to finish in 16th place.

The sun shone again on the final day at Victoria Park Grandstand with a best-ever crowd attracted to the event. Children were admitted free this year and non-horsey families were given a wonderful introduction to horse sport.

Shane Rose said it for everyone: “This is as good as any event in the world – we are proud of it and I love coming here.”

Use hashtags #FEIClassics #Eventing.

By Anna Sharpley

Adelaide International 3 Day Event Media Contact:

Katherine Maitland
katherine@lightbulbmedia.com.au
M +61 (0) 407721004

FEI Media Contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

No Raining on Shane’s Parade in Adelaide

Shane Rose and CP Qualified retain lead after brilliant Cross Country phase at Adelaide International 3 Day Event, second leg of FEI Classics™. (FEI/Julie Wilson)

Lausanne (SUI), 21 November 2015 – Despite a burst water main on course, nothing could dampen Shane Rose’s performance riding his two four-star horses today. Rose demonstrated his talent by taking first and second place after an entertaining Cross Country. Although somewhat hesitant at the start, CP Qualified got into a good rhythm and jumped superbly to come home with the addition of just 3.2 time penalties, good enough to hold the lead by 5.5 penalties.

“Qualified is a horse I have got to get on the pace from the get-go,” declared Rose. “He is not the galloper that can catch up on time, and I lost it really over the first three fences.” Rose’s closest opposition was himself as he posted one of only two under time rounds riding Virgil, that is out of a Thoroughbred mare and perhaps that was what gave him those extra seconds. “Virgil was really up on his time throughout the course; he is a super horse. I have two really nice horses and I am lucky to have them.”

Although New Zealander Clarke Johnstone was not happy with his 50.10 dressage score, his performance today would have boosted his Rio bid with his four-star debutante, Balmoral Sensation. With the jumping phase tomorrow, Johnstone confirmed, “It’s not over yet,” and certainly the final Jumping day has shattered many dreams.

Johnston attributed his four time penalties to being a bit over cautious, but they certainly looked a major championship combination today. They moved up from fifth to a podium position, but the most impressive move of the day was the not unexpected advance of Sonja Johnson and Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison. The greyhound-like little Thoroughbred is certainly not lacking heart and came home with just the addition of 1.2 time penalties. You know the time is tight if Sonja has time penalties. Their Cross Country effort saw them move from 15th after the dressage to a lead threatening fourth, and Sonja is strong in the final Jumping phase.

Katja Weimann and BP Flamboyant let their grip on second place slip despite an impressive round today. With the addition of 11.2 time penalties they sit in fifth place, but again they are proven performers on the final day. Megan Jones improved her place by two to hold sixth place with Kirby Park Allofasudden. The Rustic Amber gelding is another proven final day performer.

Andrew Cooper is just out of Young Rider competition; however, he produced a sophisticated and slick round riding the Crested Wave Thoroughbred, Black Crest, posting the only other under time round of the day. Cooper’s efforts saw him move up 20 places to seventh.

Trailblazer Stuart Tinney added 1.6 time penalties riding Pluto Mio to move from 24th after the Dressage phase to hold eighth position. Hazel Shannon is well pleased with her first four-star performance riding her Thoroughbred gelding Clifford. She moved in to the top ten holding ninth place heading in to the final Jumping phase. Soigne Jackson’s Gold by Opera Prince demonstrated the courage and talent of the Thoroughbred by coming home with 4.8 time penalties to round out the top ten.

It was a glorious day in the Park Lands, and no doubt FEI TV viewers in the Northern Hemisphere would have been envious of the beautiful 23 degree Adelaide Spring day.

The course rode well and Shane Rose commented: “Mike Etherington-Smith did a really good job. He presents fences that look simple, but he is so good at putting question upon question. If you or the horse makes a little mistake, his course just catches you out. He doesn’t try and trick you or trap you, it’s all about being good enough and if you are, he is happy to say you are too good.”

Of the 30 horses to start, 24 finished including globetrotting Alice Dunsdon and Fernhill Present (19th), who sadly got momentarily lost on course which in the Park Land setting is easy to do. It was costly on time, however, and despite jumping clear she incurred 39.6 time penalties. Four horses were eliminated on course and one retired.

Shane Rose is over two fences ahead of the opposition – is it enough to claim the Adelaide leg of the FEI Classics™ 2015/2016 series?

Watch daily live Adelaide action (20-22 November) on www.fei.org.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics #Eventing.

FEI YouTube:

See interview with Mike Etherington-Smith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDqy2RwIvsg.

Subscribe to FEI YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/feichannel?sub_confirmation=1.

By Anna Sharpley

Adelaide International 3 Day Event Media Contact:

Katherine Maitland
katherine@lightbulbmedia.com.au
M +61 (0) 407721004

FEI Media Contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Olympian Shane Rose Heats Up the Action at Adelaide

Shane Rose and CP Qualified lead after Dressage at the Adelaide International 3 Day Event, second leg of FEI Classics™. (FEI/Julie Wilson)

Lausanne (SUI), 20 November 2015 – Olympian Shane Rose jumped out of the barriers and got a head start on the opposition riding Elizabeth and Felicity Wischer’s CP Qualified, as a cool change blew away the heat of the last few days at the Adelaide International 3 Day Event, second leg of FEI Classics™ 2015/2016.

Early to go, Rose and the horse by Quiet Capitol out of a Corofino mare, produced the winning test, and sitting on 42.10 penalties they lead their nearest rival by a seven penalty margin.

They were in this position two years ago with the horse, then a green four-star contender; however, with two more years of competition under their belts, Rose will be heading to the Cross Country phase with a little more than his usual can-do confidence.

“He’s a different horse from two years ago and I would have been disappointed if I was not in this position today. I am confident he is going to do a good job in the next two days.” Rose has added assurance because the horse was imported to Australia as a potential jumper.

Thirty-two-year-old Katja Weimann bred and produced her BP Flamboyant, and is delighted to be in second place and declares she will be “chasing Shane all the way tomorrow.” Flamboyant had a serious injury a few years ago and has been carefully nursed back to the peak of fitness by Katja. “He feels very fit and strong,” said Katja, who is a tough and experienced competitor.

New South Wales rider and trainer Christine Bates is certainly no outsider and with Adelaide Hill is just 0.30 of a penalty behind Katja Weimann and BP Flamboyant. “I have been working hard with Eventing dressage trainer Gareth Hughes, and Adelaide Hill was the most relaxed and rideable he has ever been and he gave me 110% out there, even though the marks did not reflect that. I’d be very disappointed if I am not sitting in this position or better tomorrow evening.”

New South Wales rider, Katie Roots, is just a hair’s breadth from the podium in fourth place riding her impressive UK import, the Fleetwater Opposition gelding, Trevalgar II.

And what of tomorrow? “It is a really nice track and the going is good,” says Rose. “It is a typical Mike Etherington-Smith track. There is not one individual fence that looks difficult, just a consistent test all the way around and the time will be a factor, as it always is at Adelaide.” “It is a track that tests the communication you have with your horse,” adds Christine Bates. “You really need to know your horse.”

The top ten is a closely packed and talented bunch, with New Zealander Clarke Johnstone positioned nicely in fifth place just eight penalties behind the leader riding the New Zealand Sporthorse, Balmoral Sensation.

Will Enzinger, who gave Chris Burton his winning ride two years ago, holds sixth place with Wenlock Aquifer ahead of Shane Rose’s second ride, Michelle Hasibar, and Brett Jones’ Vivant gelding, Virgil. Megan Jones, second last year riding Kirby Park Allofasudden in eighth place is poised to strike if given the opportunity. The globetrotting and history making Brit, Alice Dunsdon sits at eleven, just outside the top ten.

Watch daily live Adelaide action (20-22 November) on www.fei.org.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics #Eventing.

See FEI YouTube interviews:

Dressage Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P9K-3R83l0

Cross Country Course Animation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydp6hTNJpvI

Andrew Hoy – Course Walk (ATCO Stag Corner, 22 a, b, c): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjueW72O4FM

Sam Griffiths – Course Walk (Corners 18, 19a, b): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i3LT7g9048

Shane Rose – Course Walk (Fence 6 a, b, c): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI9sVjOUf-E

By Anna Sharpley

Adelaide International 3 Day Event Media Contact:

Katherine Maitland
katherine@lightbulbmedia.com.au
M +61 (0) 407721004

FEI Media Contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Olympic Line-Up at Adelaide International 3 Day Event

The spectacular Cross Country course weaves in and out of the city and its famous Park Lands. (FEI/Julie Wilson)

Lausanne (SUI), 18 November 2015 – Rio 2016 Olympic selection will be firmly on the minds of Australia’s top Eventing athletes, when the second leg of the FEI Classics™ 2015/2016 series – which unites the world’s top six four-star Eventing competitions – opens tomorrow (19 November) at the Adelaide International 3 Day Event.

The Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games course designer Mike Etherington-Smith (GBR) has signed on at Adelaide for the next three years, and as advisor to Equestrian Australia’s Eventing High Performance programme he will be ensuring the cross country is a good test for those aspiring to fly to Rio.

Leading the 34-strong field are four Australian Olympic medallists – Stuart Tinney, Shane Rose, Sonja Johnson and Megan Jones.

Four-star quest

British athlete Alice Dunsdon has also flown Fernhill Present to Adelaide in her quest to compete in all six FEI Classics™. “After I completed Luhmühlen with Hilly, my third four-star, I wondered if anyone had done all six with the same horse, and if not why not,” said Dunsdon. “Wouldn’t it be great if we were the first to do it! Adelaide will be four-star number five, with Badminton a history-making sixth next year.”

New Zealand’s Clarke Johnstone, team bronze medallist at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010, has also made the trip across the Tasman, and New South Wales-based rider and trainer, Christine Bates, who has narrowly missed out on FEI World Equestrian Games™ and Olympic selection, has a very good horse in the 2015 Saddleworld Melbourne International CCI3* 2015 winner, Adelaide Hill, and is a strong favourite in Adelaide.

Given that anything can happen in Eventing, the other hopefuls are all previous winners. Sydney Olympic team gold medallist Stuart Tinney has resisted the call of the Northern Hemisphere, but has nonetheless regularly received team call-ups. He has three rides this year in Pluto Mio, who finished 11th at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014, Annapurna who was second in the Adelaide International 3 Day Event CCI2* in 2013, and War Hawk, second in the 2015 Melbourne CCI3*. After a gap year, Shane Rose is back with the Jumping-bred pair, CP Qualified by Quiet Capitol and Virgil by Vivant.

No longer the bridesmaid

“I’m sick of being a bridesmaid at Adelaide,” said the Western Australian sheep farmer and Beijing 2008 team silver medallist Sonja Johnson. She is riding her athletic former racehorse, Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison that just missed a 2014 Games call-up due to a minor injury.

Local girl Megan Jones has retired her Beijing team silver medal partner, the charismatic Kirby Park Irish Jester, and will ride Kirby Park Allofasudden by Rustic Amber that has been very lightly campaigned since taking second place last year.

Katja Weimann of Victoria is also determined to make an impression on the Olympic selectors with her home-bred, BP Flamboyant, second in the Melbourne CCI3*.

Western Australian Jessica Manson, who won the FEI Classics™ at Adelaide last year, and Victorian rider and coach Will Enzinger, who broke his leg just before Adelaide in 2013 and handed Chris Burton his winning ride, are back this year with two rides, Wenlock Aquifer and Britannia MVNZ, completing a stellar Adelaide line-up.

Adelaide – distinctive city park venue

The London 2012 Olympic Games equestrian venue was spectacular in Greenwich Park, and Adelaide, with its inner city parkland location, sets a similarly striking scene – it is like starting the cross country at Hyde Park Corner.

The Australian International 3 Day Event followed on the back of the Gawler competition, which began in 1954. Gawler was the site of the FEI World Eventing Championships 1986 and many of its stalwart supporters stayed on to establish the world’s only urban three-day event.

Gill Rolton, double Olympic gold medallist in Atlanta, initiated the movement behind the first Adelaide event in 1997. The event went four-star in 1999 and in 2011 entered the FEI Classics™ series.

Since the very beginning, Rolton has been making it happen. The event has grown and grown, and is now an established part of Adelaide’s and Australia’s pre-Christmas Eventing activities. The party atmosphere is very obvious, with the event offering something for everyone in or outside the horse world.

This year, the headline for the event is “Three phases, two hearts, one passion” with the emphasis on passion. And it has taken a lot of passion to bring international Eventing to the masses in the glorious late Spring in the Adelaide Park Lands.

Watch daily live Adelaide action (20-22 November) on www.fei.org.

See FEI YouTube preview: http://bit.ly/1OeMfWE.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics #Eventing.

See full leaderboard here: http://bit.ly/1PP9nNx.

See FEI Classics™ hub: www.fei.org/fei/events/fei-classics.

By Anna Sharpley

Adelaide International 3 Day Event Media Contact:

Katherine Maitland
katherine@lightbulbmedia.com.au
M +61 (0) 407721004

FEI Media Contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46