This is not to detract from the lovely performance by Wynella Rialto with Amanda Ross aboard. He did his usual rhythmic test and the best showjumping round we have seen from this combination. Some of the cross country was a little hairy but this brave little horse made all the big combinations with spunk.

Wendy Schaeffer, in taking out third place, did a good test and followed this by a super cross country round. The big grey making every jump look easy, following on with a flowing display in the showjumping.

Some of the top riders had problems on the cross country which was big but with let up jumps between the questions. Stuart Tinney became unseated from Tex in the second water, Christine Bates and Shane Rose had run outs on course for which they will be kicking themselves. Olivia Bunn with GV Braveheart had a mishap in the first water, sensibly pulling out this horse for a rest before Adelaide. With her second string horse, GV Top of the Line, she put in a professional performance with an accurate test, comfortable cross country and stylish showjumping round to take out fourth place. This is certainly a world class combination and one to watch as the horses gains more experience and confidence.

There were several other notable performances, Jenny Irvine Brown with Tomaree and Dale Frew (both parents of teenagers) seemed to come from nowhere to be in the top ten with solid performances, showing that experience and age are a good combination. Tim Boland produced a fine display with Limitless.to take out fifth. Boyd Martin with True Blue Toozac, let down a little with his showjumping was sixth.

This was certainly not the best day in the office for the NSW riders but as many were bringing in their horses for the run to Adelaide, this was not surprising.

The Equestrian centre was a picture and the ground well maintained and prepared. The support of the Olympic Coordination Authority, the National Parks Association was pivotable. Without the EFA (Equestrian Associations of both NSW and Australia) and the NSW Insititue of Sport who look after our riders so well, there could have been no event.

It was particularly encouraging to see the support of the ABC who were extremely efficient, fitted into the scene with no fuss and managed (we hope) to get some good footage for their forthcoming coverage of eventing around Australia.

If there had been more spectators and more volunteers and more time, the format would have been a real winner. The organisers learnt a lot about running an event at arms length and coordinating volunteers from associated clubs and the next one should run even better - if we can get some financial support for marketing.

An event on the one day does provide lots of excitement - showjumping rounds in the main arena featured "greats" such as Vicki Roycroft, Chris Chugg and Colleen Brooks, a welcome break from the CIC dressage - Steve Jeffries' brilliant display in the break between the cross country and showjumping - and vaulting which made us all realise that with a number of children you can get away with just one horse or even a wooden one!