2002 HORSELAND MELBOURNE
INTERNATIONAL THREE DAY EVENT
6^th - 10^th June 2002

Story by Michelle Lynch

DAVID DOES IT AGAIN!
David Middleton continued his eventing reign by taking out the honours at the 2002 Melbourne International Three Day Event.  Riding Willowbank Jack he held the lead throughout the entire competition. Scoring  38.40 penalty points in the dressage, a clear round cross-country with just 2.8 time faults and clocking up a total of 10 penalty points in the showjumping. David finished on a total score of 51.20,  7.40 points ahead of nearest rival Shane Rose with a score of 58.60.

Friday June 7^th 2002
With blistery winds and the chill factor leaving us all to believe that rain and wind will prevent witnessing some dramatic performances. Yet, despite this challenging weather, the riders continued to perform to high standards in the CCI dressage held in arena 1 and arena 2 at Werribee Equestrian Centre, Victoria. With almost flawless and outstanding performances from all those that competed today, this will prove to be a nail biting end to astonishing eloquence dressage competition.  I look forward to visually witnessing the outcome of such discipline and prowess of both rider and horse.

Saturday June 8^th 2002
 The CCI Dressage Three Star started with impressive form from many of our favourite Dressage stars.  My star that I admire for his superb skill is “Lion King” ridden by Stuart Tinney. We all will remember Stuart for his outstanding performance in the Sydney 2000 Olympic World Games. And, this performance was no different to those glorious moments that we witnessed then, and, now. Except for the fact that Mr Tinney, rode then “Jeepster". Personally, from my perspective, he will always be my admired star, whether he rode Jeepster” in Sydney, or as today, with “Lion King”. We will see “Lion King” climbing the ranks once again will rise to high standards to be eligible to perform for competition to come. Watch out for this one!!

(At the end of Sunday's performance, “Lion King” retired. I hope all is well for both of them. It just shows you how the 3DE can be change the results by the closing hour of day two).  At the cessation of the day “Willowbank Jack” ridden by David Middleton with a score of 74.4% (38.4 penalties) was ahead in the rounds. We’ll all see how he progresses to the next round in the Cross Country Event on Sunday.

For those individuals who enjoy watching the sport, and, are maybe a little apprehensive about riding, then the sport for you and your family to consider belonging to is the “Australian Carriage Driving Society”.   I was delighted to attend this unique event on Saturday night. It was a visual display of timing; accuracy and shear skill to be able weave between gates against the clock with either your pony, single or double, or your horse event single or double and be in the carriage at the same time. It was amazing to witness the speed and talent that is required to weave in and out of obstacles to complete each round. Let me assure you that if you wish to see some fast action and skill then contact your local Victorian Branch on Phone: 03) 9350 7447 or Fax 03) 9350 7424

Sunday June 9^th 2002
Words can’t express the emotion I felt watching these talented individuals and their equine friends compete in such a vigorous display of skill on the Cross Country event. It was worth getting up early to see this. I was privileged to attend the CCI One Star Cross Country event with performances from Jae-Hong Park, Wendy Schaeffer, and Tom Tremlett to name a few. Excellent, navigation and timing were clearly evident to be successful in completing this course. Only a few were dismounted from this section of the 3DE. This was thrilling from the beginning; I only hoped to be there for the completion of the event.

It was a close event with Shane Rose on “Kianga” a very close second (to David Middleton) with his round finishing at a score of 45.20. It will be a nail bitting end to the event between these two highly skilled individuals and our Equine Stars - “Willowbank Jack” and “Kianga”. By the end of the day “Willowbank Jack” was still in front with an amazing score of 41.2 at the completion of the Endurance phase.

Monday June 10^th 2002
As the wind howled and the rain fell, the spectators were very glad of the organising committee's decision to run the final phase of the CIC indoors.  The riders and horses were probably not as pleased. After a hard day of endurance, many horses found the tight and difficult track too hard. Rails fell and clear rounds were few and far between, but generously applauded by the appreciative audience. The seats were full and the three levels of competition provided plenty of thrills and spills to rival the excitement of the cross country.  

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