On 16 and 17 September 2017 an impressive number of horses and their riders gathered at the picturesque Alcoa Farmlands, which surround the historic Fairbridge Village, in Pinjarra, Western Australia to compete at the Alcoa International Horse Trials. 

Last year the Alcoa International Horse Trials won the best “eventing” competition at the Equestrian Western Australia awards night, so the pressure was on to produce another standout event. The committee again put a lot of thought and effort into making the event spectator and rider friendly.  Feedback so far is that the event was on point and managed to make some improvements on the 2016 event.  This year’s event also welcomed two international officials to the event to give it a true international flavour, Nicoli Fife (NZ) was the chair of the FEI Ground Jury and Peter Gillespie (GB) as the showjumping course designer for the EvA105 to CIC3* classes.

The cross-country courses for all classes were designed by Ewan Kellet from Victoria, with assistance from fellow Victorian Mick Pieno and local designer and long-standing supporter of Eventing in WA, Tom Compagnoni. The courses all looked stunning and included a number of challenging technical lines for all grades. A lot of work has gone into the course over the last four years to improve the flow of the course and to challenge the competitors as they strive to win their class.  

Seven riders took part in the Mike Caplehorn Memorial CIC*** sponsored by Broome International Airport. Olympian Sonja Johnson on Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison took the lead after the dressage and showjumping, but unfortunately retired on cross country, making way for the 2015 winner of this class Emily Gray riding Jocular Vision, to again take the title.  Finishing in second was Sonja Johnson on her other ride, Misty Isle Valentino, while Michael Dagostino finished third in his first CIC3* with his relatively new ride Kinnordy Gatow.

The Perth Radiological Clinic CIC** class was won by Emma King riding the beautiful grey horse, DvZ Chevalier.  Emma led from start to finish, adding only 7.6 time penalties to her dressage score of 39.38 penalties.  Emma also finished third on Em and M Russell.  Tegan Lush on Touchstone Felix took second place.  Kenya Wilson was the winner of the Horseland Kelmscott highest placed Young Rider in the CIC**.  The optimum time on the course was tight with no rider coming under the set time, and time penalties being influential over the placings.

The highly competitive County Saddlery CIC* was won by the Event director, Kate Ingham riding her chestnut thoroughbred, Asti Aspiration.  Asti Aspiration was also the winner of the best performed Off the Track horse in the FEI classes. Junior rider Isabelle McLachlan placed second in this class and accordingly took out the Request Equestrian highest placed Junior rider in the CIC* class. Isabelle also took out this award at the 2015 event.  Mia Mercuri, another junior rider, took home third place. Scores were very close in this class, with only 8 penalties separating first to sixth,

The EvA80 classes saw nearly 109 horses start across four classes, including a junior division.  The EvA95 classes had 87 starters (including juniors) and the EvA105 had 44 starters (including juniors).  The competition was fierce with many great up-and-coming horses and riders to watch out for.

Hayley Johnson winner of the EvA95

For the second year, Rider Videos filmed all the riders travelling around the beautiful cross country course.  You can view the videos here: https://vimeopro.com/ridervideo/ridervideo