The SMH has announced that Sydney Olympian Kristy Oatley and Edwina Alexander have been pre-nominated for the Australian Olympic equestrian team to compete at Beijing.
SMX have also published the Australian Dressage shortlist:
Mary Hanna - Port Said 10
Mary Hanna - Rambo
Kristy Oatley - Quando-Quando
Kristy Oatley - Don Bolero
Brett Parbery - Victory Salute
Rozzie Ryan - Donna Carrera
Maree Tomkinson - Lanzaro
Heath Ryan - Greenoaks Dundee
Great to see the mainstream press jumping on the Dressage bandwagon!
[Sonja Johnson and RINGWOULD JAGUAR winners of the Horseland CCI***]
The rails where dropping this afternoon at the Bates International Three Day Event after the heavy rain had made the track very wet. Sonja Johnson and RINGWOULD JAGUAR, a 16hh stock horse, jumped unperturbed by the on and off showers and the rough going under foot to defend their first place.
The Sydney International Three Day seems to fit well with the women - this is the 7th year it has been won by a female!
The Horseland CCI*** provisional placings sit at
1st: Sonja Johnson RINGWOULD JAGUAR
2nd: Megan Jones KIRBY PARK IRISH JESTER
3rd: Wendy Schaffer KOYUNA SUN SHINE
Congratulations to these amazing women of eventing who have taken a female hat trick from todays top places!
History repeated itself in the Mitavite CCI* Class this morning. For the second time today the pressure was placed firmly on Kevin going into the Show Jumping phase of the competition.
This time it was Rachael Lee who, only moments before Kevin entered the ring, jumped a beautiful round on HUNTER HILL to secure 2nd place There was no room for error as Kevin jumped his round, one rail down and he could lose his 1st place. However, Kevin maintained his position on KINNORDY GALERA with a spectacular clear round.
[Kevin McNab show jumping KINNORDY GALERA in the Mitavite CCI* class]
Georgina Clifford has made a fantastic recovery after a painful fall off ITS MONTY in yesterdays three star class to win the Fairfield City Council Pre Novice class on her horse KOLORA STUD FALKRICH II
Overnight placings of first, second and third remained the same and the results are as follows:
It was nailbiting competition for the two star class that finished minuets ago at the Bates International Three Day Event in Sydney.
Kevin McNab riding BELCAM CAESAR has won the EFA NSW CCI** Class with a clear showjumping round. Just before Kevin entered the arena Sonja Johnson, who was sitting in second place, completed a perfect showjumping round with no penalties putting massive pressure on Kevin to go clear or go home without a first place ribbon. Kevin stepped up to the challenge and completed his round clear much to the crowds excitement.
[Kevin McNab over the final fence to win EFA NSW CCI**]
This news just in: Shane Rose, who has been in the lead since Day 1 of the competition is out.
Unfortunately ALL LUCK was not accepted this morning at Trot Up. After presenting twice for the Ground Jury, Shane was told the by Cara Witham (President of the Ground Jury) that they would not be accepting ALL LUCK to continue in the competition.
All other Three Star Horses that presented passed.
Megan Jones and Sonja Johnson have swapped places after todays Cross Country phase thanks to a bit of speed on course by Sonja. Megan was sitting in second after dressage on the beautiful big grey Kirby Park Irish Jester but took it steady around the cross country course vying for a clear round but collecting 10.8 time penalties in the process.
Sonja managed to make it a clear round with just 3.6 time penalties pushing her into second place. Our leader Shane Rose was the only one who went clear and under time, he now has one rail up his sleeve to stay in the lead!
[Megan Jones - KIRBY PARK ALLOFASUDDEN at the Billabong Water]
Wendy Schaeffer has campaigned with force and has three rides out of the top 6 in this Horseland CCI Three Star Class. If you want to see which of these fine lady riders is going to come out on top you had better be here for the morning of showjumping which kicks of at 8.30am after the Trot Up at 6.30am. The Horseland Three Star Class will get underway from 2pm - and seating is covered!
