The challenges of Eventing test Aussies at ERM’s Leg 5

Australian Event Riders Bill Levett (Shannondale Titan) and Shane Rose (CP Qualified) were strongly positioned after the dressage at the ERM Leg 5 at Gatcombe Park on the weekend, placing in second and eighth position across the competitive international field.

Levett was only one of two to place in the 30s presenting a beautifully accurate test scoring 39.2, a suspected course error reversed shortly thereafter positioning him 0.5 penalties behind leading rider, GBR’s Oliver Townsend & Note Worthy.

Saturday welcomed the show jumping phase commentated by fellow injured Australian, Sam Griffiths. It was predicted to be a challenging track for competitors with the venue’s unique undulating ground after rainfall, maximum height and tight time causing penalties across the board. 

Levett show jumped second last in reverse order having the first fence down and slipping back to fourth position behind Mark Todd & Kiltubrid Rhapsody who rode one of only three clear rounds. 

Rose experienced a very disappointing show jumping round finishing with 26 jump and time penalties, an unexpected result from European-bred Olympic mount ‘Darcy’ typically strong in this phase.

The combination retired before the cross country quoting on Facebook:“It was not CP Qualified's day, so he did not run cross country in the ERM class” Rose said. 

Rose then went on to win the Neptune Advanced class outside of the ERM competition riding Sam Griffiths' London Olympic mount, 18-year-old Happy Times. "It’s a bit like being thrown the keys of a fancy sports car. It was rather a treat. He’s very cool, very level-headed and all I had to do was steer." said Shane to the Gatcombe Organising Committee.

Sunday saw Levett power on to the cross country positively with high hopes of a podium position. Unfortunately ‘Alfie’ left a leg at fence 20 after a long spot on an angle caused the pair to take a tumble. Although they both walked away unharmed, it was a disappointing result for Levett and team.

Gemma Tattersall representing Great Britain won the competition with her mount, Arctic Soul. A former racehorse, the pair rode the fastest time across the famously challenging cross country course with only 1.2 penalties finishing on 53.7. Tattersall defied ERM history being the first rider to sit outside the top five after the dressage on 12th position to then finish at the top of the leaderboard. 

With only two legs of the 2017 ERM series left to run at Blair Castle 26-27 August & Blenheim Castle 15 & 16 September, the competition will be fierce as riders fight for the top leaderboard positions. Currently GBR’s Gemma Tattersall sits first on 104 points, followed shortly by leg 2 winner GBR’s Sarah Cohen and NZ’s Sir Mark Todd following in third. 

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