Sun Shines on Schaeffer at the Sydney International Three Day Event
The sun shone throughout the 2009 Sydney International Three Day event held at the Sydney International Equestrian
Wendy Schaeffer & Koyuna Sun Storm win at the Sydney International Three Day Event.
Centre. The venue, just 45 minutes from the centre of Sydney, was adorned in pink to raise awareness of the Breast Cancer Network Australia. Over $2000 was raised for the charity aimed at supporting women diagonsed with breast cancer. Event organiser Andrea Webb, herself a survivor of breast cancer, felt that the event, where 70 of the competitors were women, was an excellent avenue for raising awareness of BCNA.
Crowds were thrilled over the weekend with exciting competition, horse handling demonstrations, trade stands and commentary by Australia's own triple gold medalist Andrew Hoy. Organisers were pleased with the atmosphere created by the new competition arena layout, bringing sponsors, traders and spectators closer to the action. Planning is already underway for 2010 and organisers hope to attract significant sponsorship to match the increasing interest in equestrian sport within Australia.
Triple gold medallist Andrew Hoy signs hats for two tiny Pony Club
helpers at the Sydney International Three Day event.
Competition was close in all classes following the dressage phase held on Thursday and Friday. Show Jump course builder John Vallance designed a flowing course for Sunday's final day of competition. Adam Benson withdrew Enthusiast from competition leaving nine riders to fight it out for the final placings. A number of riders early in the draw recorded high penalties with the first clear round going to Georgia Clifford on It's Monty. The pair moved back up in to 4th place. Heath Ryan followed this great performance with another clear climbing back into 3rd. Sydney Olympian and breast cancer survivor, Amanda Howell had a margin of four rails and despite knocking three she finished 2nd on Koyuna Tora Bora. Wendy Schaeffer entered the arena with room for error, but made none, finishing her weekend a clear victory on Koyuna Sun Storm.
The other three classes on the weekend's program had no changes in the lead from beginning to end. Chris Burton scored a high 74.40% in the NSW Institute of Sport Pre Novice class aboard Haruzac to win the class ahead of Rachel Lee on Maillieu. The winner of the Junior division was Luke Harmer on My Foxy Lady. Niche Dev from India riding Ferragamo was the first placed rider in the Eventing NSW Asian Pacific Challenge Trophy, finishing 16th overall.
Claudia Graham scored 70.73% in the Australian Sport Commission CCI* allowing her one rail in the show jumping to remain in 1st place. Time penalties in the show jumping were costly for Brett Davey who moved from 2nd to 9th and Georgia Connolly who also slipped out of 3rd. Wendy Schaeffer had a rail but no time faults to finish 2nd aboard Kirsyl Sun and Amelia Brydon was awarded the Oakates Rising Star, finishing 3rd overall on Carlyon.
Stuart Tinney (pictured left) competed injured rider Olivia Bunn's horse GV Billy Elliot in the Tarraleah Park CCI**. The combination looked as if they had been working together for years, taking the lead after dressage and making both the cross country and show jumping courses look easy. Second place went to young rider Lauren Balcomb on Kootamootoo and Sharmayne Spencer finished 3rd on Jaybee Star Celebrity.
"I was very pleased with Olivia Bunn's lovely young horse GV Billy Elliot. It was very enjoyable riding such a talented and well trained horse who should have a great future in the sport," said Tinney during the presentation of the Freestyler Trophy.
The Sydney 2000 gold medallist is currently aiming four horses, Vettori, Panamera, Ari DE Gwaihir and Watermark
Grayson for Adelaide 4 star in November this year and hopefully the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky September 2010.
A new feature to the 2009 program was the Gwaihir Stud Australian Young Event Horse Challenge, judged by visiting Olympian Andrew Hoy and local Dressage specialist Roger Fitzhardinge. The winning horses in each age group were invited to compete for champion that went to Jenbern Monyana ridden by Emma Scott. Genevieve Ross of the Gwaihir Stud (pictured second from the left) was at the event to congratulate the winner and is already discussing plans to sponsor the young event horse classes at the 2010 event.
"I am so impressed with the event. Gwaihir Stud is thrilled to be a part of it." Ms Ross told organisers.
With the next two years playing an important part in the selection process for the London Olympics in 2012, the Sydney International Eventing Committee is keen to build on the successes of the 2009 experience. Increased television coverage of equestrian sport in Australia, due largely to the support of production company Post and Rail and the Fox Sports network is helping to attract more sponsors and spectators to what is a truly thrilling sport. Australia is among the best in the world in Eventing and intends to remain there.
Visit www.sydneyeventing.org for the Official Results.
EVENT FACTS & FIGURES
- 2009 Classes & Winners
- CCI*** winner - Wendy Shaeffer & Koyuna Sun Storm (14 entries)
- Tarraleah Park CCI** winner - Stuart Tinney & GV Billy Elliot (10 entries)
- Australian Sport Commission CCI* winner - Claudia Graham & Park Street Vision (40 entries)
- Australian Sport Commission CCI* junior winner - Andrew Heseltine & Sunbury Lodge Pandora
- NSW Institute of Sport Pre Novice winner - Chris Burton & Haruzac (36 entries)
- NSW Institute of Sport Pre Novice junior winner - Luke Harmer & My Foxy Lady
- Oakgate Rising Star winner - Amelia Brydon & Carlyon
- Eventing NSW Asia Pacific Challenge Trophy Winner - Nidhi Dev & Ferragamo
- Gwaihir Stud Australian Young Event Horse winner - Emma Scott & Jenbern Monyana (31 entries)
- $15 000 Prize Pool
- Redesign of the main competition arenas and trade areas in order to bring riders, spectators, traders and sponsors closer together.
- The 2009 Sydney International Three Day Event was a Pink Event to show support for BCNA. Amanda
- Howell (Competitor - placed 2nd in CCI***) and Andrea Webb (Volunteer) are survivors of Breast Cancer.
- Triple Gold Medalist Andrew Hoy attended the 2009 event, hosting cross country walks, judging classes,
- conducting master classes, commentating and giving talks at functions.
- Two horse experts - James Meurer and Colleen Kelly held demonstrations throughout the event.
All Media enquiries welcome.
Please contact Rachel Smith on 0412 963 893 or rachel.smith@sydneyeventing.org
Visit www.sydneyeventing.org to download the Final results
All Media enquiries welcome. Please contact Rachel Smith on 0412 963 893 or rachel.smith@sydneyeventing.org www.sydneyeventing.org
Event Brochure
View Promo - Produced by Post and Rail Creative - Kyra Bartley
Preview on You Tube
