Volume 4 June 2003

PREVIEW

It only seems that Sydney finished yesterday, now the trucks are heading to Werribee in the hundreds to try and make their mark in whatever capacity they can. Without Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney will form the crust of the Australia riders major outings in their bid for Athens. Following is my preview for both the World Cup and CCI Three Star classes:

 CCI*** FIELD

 No. 68 - Tim Boland & Limitless (NSW)

After an impressive first days work at Sydney which had them lying in 5th place (Gillian Rolton had them as her 4th pick) we were looking forward to seeing how far Sydney would take them but we weren’t provided the luxury – Tim pulled the big black gelding out of the event shortly thereafter. Tim will have made sure that any problems the well traveled Limitless had are ironed out before the truck leaves for Melbourne. This horse has the ability – 6th at this years NSW State Champs and last year a 2nd at the advanced at Scone, 3rd at the CIC*** NSW State Champs at Goulburn and a 2nd at Puhinui CCI Three Star in New Zealand. If they get to day two look for a top 5 finish.

No. 88 - Nina Clarke & Lockley’s Park Monet (VIC)

A stalwart of the Victorian circuit for many years, in 2003 the flashy gelding took 7th at the Victorian Advanced State Champs (which was in actual fact last place) then backed up two weeks later with an 8th in a quality field at Wandin. Having not done much since March, Monet will be fresh and Nina will have him fit and rearing to go. You should find Monet ridden in his trademark double bridle and, barring a complete disaster, should be lying around the middle of the field after day’s one proceedings come to a close. This horse may be pushed to make time but his cross country jumping is pretty sound. The only thing that worries me about this horse is his technique over fences, especially showjumping. If you pay careful attention on the third day you will notice that when Monet takes off and hits mid air, he drops his forelegs and lifts his head – a technique similar to Rodney Powell’s Badminton winner The Irishman. One thing Monet does do well is clear each fence with plenty of air, and add that to the ability of his rider Nina, and the technique issue is not such a big one. Still, on the third day when Monet will be feeling it in a CCI, it will be interesting to see how many fences his front legs pull – or whether he proves me totally wrong and pulls none at all!

No. 89 - Lucy Bennett & Dynamic Venture (NSW)

After a 10th in the two star at Albury Lucy moved Dynamic Venture up to advanced level a few weeks later at Berrima and scored well with an 8th (clear-clear showjumping but time cross country). 2002 honours included 8th at Berrima (this time Two Star) but a less than honourable elimination cross country at Adelaide after lying in 8th place after the dressage (note: horse likes coming 8th). Usually in the top ten after day one, this is a big step up for Dynamic Venture, especially after his fortune at Adelaide last year. Lucy will be working hard to make amends.

No. 91 - Olivia Bunn & GV Top Of The Line (NSW)

What can I say that already hasn’t been said about this combination. Easily one of the draw cards of the event and always a crowd favourite, the highest placed Aussie combo (8th) individually at last years World Equestrian Games says it all. At there only major hit-out in 2003 Olivia and Top of the Line had to take second behind David Middleton and Armitage Downie Warlord at Wandin CIC Three Star by the narrowest of margins – 0.03. After Wandin Olivia gave the horse a dressage outing at Berrima and a few other events. Olivia doesn’t enter a three day just for the fun of it – she’s there to win, and this is the horse to do it for her. Look for a top five place from start to finish.

 No. 92 - John Bird & Fifth Avenue Fame (VIC)

Another talented horse who’s coming off a very good year. Melbourne is a happy hunting ground for Fame where he took 7th place in the Three Star last year before going one better with 6th at Adelaide Four Star. This year Fame was scratched from Wandin then appeared in Albury a few weeks later where he took it easy for 13th. His strong point? Cross country. His weak point? Dressage. And in between lies showjumping – most notably four rails on last years tight track at Melbourne but only two on the roomier Adelaide track (and at Four Star level). This combination could be the surprise packet of the event and are ones to watch.

 No. 94 - Blair Richardson & Souvenir (NSW)

If you are coming to Melbourne, you have to watch this horse if for nothing else than his canter work. In Sydney it was superb, ground covering, rhythmic and elegant – it made the whole test. Blair will need to push some more this time round in other areas but should come up with the goods. Michael Creber’s re-jigged water complex is going to test every combination and Blair will be sure to overcome his recent ducking when the horse left a foreleg at the arrow head at the first water in Sydney. If he makes it to day three (which is a feat in itself) the tight showjumping track (if they use it) will test the horse – if can handle it he should finish in the top half.

 No. 95 - Tim Boland and Kildonan Tug (NSW)

Tim’s rising star and bridesmaid to Limitless, Kildonan Tug is slowing making an impression in eventing circles. His 4th place at Adelaide Two Star last year proved that the horse is capable of the demands of the sport but the real test came when Tim declared him for the Three Star at Puhinui, New Zealand. Lying fourth after the dressage and moving up to third with a solid cross country round (even if he did leave a leg and nearly unseat Tim!) he was forced to retire when he injured his stifle. X-rays revealed no fractures but bruising kept him out for the rest of the season. Now Tug is back…and Tim will have him ready.

No. 96 - Pauline McKee and Mister Moss (NSW)

This horse hasn’t had much luck over the past 12 months: Entered Goulburn three star (presumably as a run-in to Adelaide) but scratched then went on to Adelaide four star but withdrew before the first horse inspection. I am reserving judgement until I actually see Mister Moss enter the arena at A!

 No. 97 - Megan Jones & Bay Repeater (SA)

This consistent gelding has slowly climbed the eventing ladder over the past 12 months and will make his Three Star debut at Melbourne. Under owner Lyn Coombe he placed 4th in the Open Intermediate at Armidale last year then had a lot of time at the Victorian State Championships in March 2003 to drop out of contention (fitness wise most horses were still working up to Sydney or Melbourne). They continued on their merry way at Wandin and after lying 7th in the Two Star dressage pulled 3 rails to grab 10th in a quality field. Lyn then handed the rains (sorry I couldn’t resist) over to Megan Jones in Sydney where she rode him into 3rd place after the Two Star dressage but again, the horse was too slow and, coupled with 3 rails showjumping, ended up in 14th place when despite their time cross country a clear round would have given then 5th (as it was only 4 horses jumped clear – it was a tough track). Coming up to Three Star level five weeks after a Two Star is a big ask and you wouldn’t want to put your money on this horse but then again he has got one thing in his favour – Megan on his back.

 No. 99 - Georgia Clifford and Let It Rain (VIC)

I felt awfully nasty when I wrote about this mare that I actually really like in my preview for Sydney. If you remember I queried the ability of the horse to cope with the pressure of day one. Thankfully (though not for poor Georgia) I was not proven wrong when she again placed last at Sydney after her dressage ‘antics’. Despite her experience, the 13 year old just can’t get it together in the dressage to make an impression on the leader board. If Georgia could overcome the mare’s problems her jumping ability would stand her in good stead for a top 5 finish. My fingers will be crossed for them on Saturday!

 No. 101 - Wendy Schaeffer & Sun Shades (SA)

Wendy needs to show why this nine year old deserves his place among the National ‘A’ Squad troops and Melbourne is the perfect place to do it. It was here at Werribee last year that the geldings good form began when he placed 4th in the Two Star. Four months later he had one of only 2 clear rounds in the cross country to take 3rd in the Three Star. The thing to watch for is the horses performance on day 3 – at Melbourne last year he pulled 3 and another 3 at Adelaide. It doesn’t matter how good your dressage and cross country performance is, the level of competition in Australia has risen to the point that rarely does a horse competing at the highest level of the sport win with 3 rails down. For Schaeffer fans do not despair, Wendy is the consummate professional and along with Olivia Bunn is one of our best showjumpers out there. They should finish top ten – with a good showjumping round, top 5.

 No. 102 - Fiona Hughes & Enchanted (NSW)

Another with third day issues. 10th in the Open Intermediate at Tonimbuk last year then some trouble cross country at Melbourne in 2002 (not to mention 5 rails down). This year the 16 year old (that’s horse, not rider) took 7th at the CIC Three Star at Wandin and 15th at the NSW State Championships at Albury – at both events the horse had 2 rails. The horse usually throws a good first days performance and Chris has had 12 months to sought out any problems the horse may have at Werribee. Top 10 material.

No. 104 - Luke Jones & Interloper (SA)

Luke and the 10 year old Interloper will be trying to make amends after last years Melbourne Three Day when they withdrew before phase D in the Two Star. The pair did have some consolation at Adelaide though when they took home 8^th in the Two Star. Showjumping is once again the issue here – Interloper would have been crowned Two Star champ at Adelaide had he not pulled 3 rails.

No. 107 - Ian Balfour & The Kings Romance

The Tonimbuk president and his ten year old won with a home town advantage when they took out the Intermediate title at Tonimbuk last year and have performed well at Melbourne in the past. Her flat work is improving and I’m told she is as honest as the day is long. "Molly" as she is known at home loves her cross counttry and is generally solid in the showjumping. Depending on their place after day one, a top 5 finish certainly isn’t out of the question.

 No. 109 - Rebel Morrow and Oaklea Groover (NSW)

Back from New Zealand where they took 9th at Taupo CCI*** (they weren’t part of the Australian Trans Tasman Team) Oaklea Groover and Rebel will have just 3 weeks to back-up in Melbourne which is a tough ask given the fact that the Sydney horses have had the advantage of 5 weeks. 11th at last years Three Star in Adelaide and nearly Two Star champs at Melbourne here last year (1 rail down and they missed by 0.4), this horse, if he has physically recovered from New Zealand, is a serious contender – keep an eye on him, especially how he pulls up on Monday.

 No. 115 - Blair Richardson and Makinground (NSW)

Riding wife Nicki’s little star again at Melbourne, Blair did a nice test in Sydney to be lying in 8th place after day one before retiring cross country. I believe this horse has international potential for one reason – he is consistently competitive at each phase. At Berrima this year he showed why he is ready to step up to three star and make an impact after a brilliant round cross country and showjumping which he jumped clear to take out 2nd place in the highly competitive advanced class ahead of Will and Wenlock Ben Ivor. If he can produce the dressage form from Sydney the 12 year old should finish in the top ten.

Of the fourteen combinations that actually took part at Sydney in the Three Star, only seven managed to past the finishing flags on the third day – Nicky was one of them. They didn’t get through without there fair share of problems though, scoring 20 jumping penalties cross country (and a lot of time but that is pretty irrelevant in the Three Star because the conditions were hard and everyone copped it). In the showjumping at Sydney Nicky took her time through the course but Hughenden Hill was a little heavy in the legs and pulled 4 rails. Five weeks should have freshened him up nicely for this preparation so what does he have to do to win? His dressage needs to lift, he has to get through cross country jump penalty free and he has to clear those showjumps. I can hear it now… "if only it was that easy!" and nothing could be closer to the truth. That’s what makes the sport so exciting.

 No. 117 - Megan Jones and Kirby Park Irish Hallmark (SA)

"The big boy is back - Irish Hallmark, the horse that catapulted Megan into the eventing limelight has returned. Too many wins to mention (Sydney Three Star a few years ago springs to mind), Hallmark placed third at Naracoorte a  few weeks ago. Now the scene is set for Hallmark and Megan to climb the
eventing ladder once more - the horse is a superstar and has nothing to prove but if he is in form and sound he just might surprise a few people on Monday."

 TRANS TASMAN 2003

NEW ZEALAND SCORES HOME TOWN WIN

 AUSSIE’S AT SAUMUR

AUSTRALIA TAKES HOME THE TEAM "BRONZE"

WORLD RANKINGS

Other Australian’s in the rankings include Andrew Hoy at 14^th place (on 96), Kadi Eykamp at 26 (71), Georgia Clifford on 31 (68) and Catherine Davies at 34 (67).

 OLYMPIC RANKINGS

 Adam Fawcett.

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