Victorian Legend Leads after Dressage at MI3DE

Victorian rider Amanda Ross and her mare Koko Popping Candy lead the CIC3* class at the Melbourne International 3 Day event after today’s dressage phase.

Photo Michelle Terlato Photography

The popular pair put in a foot-perfect display to score 71.92 with Rio Olympics bronze medallist Shane Rose in second placing with his FEI World Equestrian Games prospect Virgil (71.54).

In the CCI3* New Zealand rider Jessica Woods and Just De Manzana are in first position after the dressage (71.54) and Equestrian Australia Gen Next Squad rider Gemma Tinney is trailing in second on her mare Annapurna.

“I’m very lucky to have Annapurna she’s an awesome mare. She stayed relaxed and was really rideable and we got a good score,” said Tinney.

“Had a good look at the course walked it with dad got all my lines sorted so I am feeling pretty confident. It’s open and nothing too technical or difficult so I am looking forward to it.”

In form local rider Rohan Luxmoore, a current EA National Recognition Squad member, is placed third after the opening day of competition after a strong test on his home bred horse Bells N Whistles.

Ideal weather conditions prevailed at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre for the opening day and are expected to continue for tomorrow’s all important cross-country phase.

All the action starts from 8 am with an indoor speed jumping competition set to take place from 5:30 pm in the indoor arena.