Cross country produces mixed results for Australian teams

Australia’s senior and young rider eventing teams remain in the competition in the Oceania Challenge, with Shane Rose maintaining the individual lead in the CCI3* after Saturday’s Cross Country at the Taupo National Equestrian Centre. 

The Aussie Young Riders gave it their best on an unfamiliar track but strong performances from the New Zealand team has given the hosts a strong advantage leading into the show jumping. Of the Aussie Young Riders the standout performance came from Isabelle Bowditch-McIntyre (Grandios) who added only time penalties to her dressage score. Shenae Lowings (Ventura Sky High) and Kenya Wilson (Winifred Fair) both incurred penalties for refusals and Teegan Ashby (Waitangi Password) was eliminated after becoming unbalanced at the first water jump, resulting in a fall. Horse and rider were given the all clear shortly after.

In the senior team it was Rose (CP Qualified) who posted the performance of the day, adding just 1.6 time penalties to his dressage score.

Of his round Rose said everything went to plan.

“He was very good. He jumped all the lines where and how we wanted to. He felt really strong at the end," said Rose

“He felt like he was jumping great and I’m very happy with him.

“He’s improving every time he goes out. Every three day event he gets quicker and copes better with the galloping and this has been no exception."

Senior team members Jessica Manson (Legal Star) and Katja Weimann (BP Cosmopolitan) each picked-up 20 penalties for refusals and Isabel English (Feldale Mouse) was eliminated after a fall, although horse and rider are ok.

The New Zealand seniors encountered trouble with their first two combinations being eliminated. With each team consisting of four riders and three combinations required to complete the competition, it puts the senior Australian team in a commanding position ahead of Sunday’s show jumping.

The mood in the Aussie stables was sombre at the end of the day after the teams learnt of a fatal injury to the horse Orient Express, which was ridden by Clarke Johnstone in the CCI3*.

Rose extended his sympathies to Orient Express' connections on behalf of the Australian team.

“We are saddened to hear of the loss of Orient Express and offer our condolences to Clarke, his family and the horse’s connections.”

“I personally know how much Clarke loved Orient Express and my thoughts are with him at this time.”

Full results are available at www.equestrianentries.co.nz