Adelaide International Horse Trials

Cross Country Day

8 November 2003

Often in three day events it is commented that if you are not in the leading group after the dressage then you will probably not be in with a chance of taking the event. The Adelaide International Horse Trials show that this is not entirely true in a three day test of horse and rider.

In the four star event William Enzinger was first and second after the first day of competition but things changed dramatically over the next 24 hours. His overnight leading mount Feurikis went clear cross country on jumping but incurred 25.6 time penalties dropping to 5th position. Second placed Wenlock Ben Ivor fared worse when horse and rider fell at fence 26 a tricky maximum sized brush combination. Taking the led into the showjumping is Boyd Martin riding True Blue Toozac on 48.40 penalty points and will probably be the first rider in the history of the event to ride last in the dressage, cross country and showjumping phases in the same year. Only 1 penalty away in second is Sammi McLeod riding Enchanted with Rebel Morrow and Oaklea Groover holding third place with 52.80. Despite 12.4 time penalties Stuart Tinney and Jeepster held fourth place.

There was sensation in the first division of the two star when overnight leader Shane Rose and Cleddau Bobby Dazzler were eliminated after three refusals at fence 18. In second place after the dressage Sonja Johnson and Foreign Liaison had no such trouble to finish in front on 51.70. Overnight third placegetter Emily Anker and ESB Irish Endeavour incurred 14.4 time penalties and dropped to 9th while second was filled by Natalie Davies and AEA Avel Rex on 55.60. Wendy Schaeffer and Koyuna Sun Smoke improved one place to be 3rd on 59.00

In the second division of the two star overnight leader Jane Griffin and Mousetrap endured a horror cross country round going from leading with 41.10 to being in 29th position after having two refusals and a rider fall on course. Jane Conway and Gordonstoun moved up from second to lead the class into the showjumping with 46.90. Yona Lloyd riding Calypso Summer held their dressage score to be in second position while local rider Kerrie Bowman improved from equal 7th to third after finishing the cross country without penalty.

© Cyberhorse 2003 Jenny Barnes