NEWS > Eventing

Shorter but action-packed cross country course at Australian International 3 Day Event

With Saturday's temperatures tipped to reach 35 degrees, organisers of the Australian International 3 Day Event have shortened cross country course, ordered extra ice and water trucks and installed water-spraying archways and sprinklers for horses.

While the low humidity and breezy conditions are considered safe for both horses and riders in dry heat, the welfare of horses and riders is paramount, Event Director Gill Rolton says.

“This is still an exciting and challenging course being tackled by some of horse riding’s biggest stars,” Ms Rolton says. “The course will only be shortened by about 30 seconds in the CCI**** and about 90 seconds in the CCI** and there are

some terrific vantage points both in Rymill Park, Victoria Park and other sections of the parklands where shade is plentiful.”

The decision – which impacts both classes – was made this afternoon at a meeting of organisers and officials, including veterinarians and members of equestrian’s world body, the FEI.

22 November 2012

Tinney's take on AI3DE

Sydney Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney is a two time winner of the Adelaide CCI4* and returns to the event in 2012 as the defending champion.

This year he will compete with the 14 year old grey gelding Pluto Mio who has been showing good form leading into the event winning the Goulburn CIC3* in October.

13 riders will contest the CCI4* including the winners of the recent Canberra CIC3* John Twomey and Highly Recommended,Shane Rose and APH Moritz, Natalie Blundell and Algebra and Craig Barrett who is campaigning two horses – Sandhills Brillaireand Wendela Jamie.

With warm weather predicted once again for Cross Country Day, we spoke to Stuart to find out how he plans to approach the event given the hot conditions and what he thinks of the course and field.

CCI4* action gets underway from 2pm Friday and will follow the second half of CCI2* competitors who will kick off day two action at the Adelaide Parklands.

Sophie Adams (Mercator Du Ry) and Lyndsay Honey (Biindaboo) currently share the lead at the end of the first day of CCI2* dressage and you can view results so far here… http://www.australian3de.com.au/results/2012/DR_1211_cci2.html

10am, 22 November 2012

Action underway at Adelaide International Three Day Event

Adelaide turned on picture perfect skies for riders competing on day one of the Adelaide International Three Day event.

Dressage action in the CCI2* is underway and with a field of 54 the first phase of this class will continue over to Friday. CCI4* combinations will start their campaign for the title at 2pm local time on Friday.

Last year’s winner of the CCI4*, Sydney Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney, returns to the event in 2012 with the 14 yo grey gelding Pluto Mio. Main rivals for the title will be Beijing silver medallist Shane Rose (APH Moritz), recent winner of the Canberra CIC3*, John Twomey (Highly Recommended) and Craig Barrett (Sandhills Brillaire; Wendela Jamie) who is the sole CCI4* rider with two horses entered.

Following Thursday morning’s trot-up the CCI2* start list was reduced by five after the following combinations withdrew:

- Makalya Wood and Just Corona

- Wendy Shaeffer and Sun Showers

- Fiona Guthrie and Crockadoo

- Dominic Jones and Paint the Sky

- Emma Mason and Poker Face

In the CCI4* Soigne Jackson and Gold were the sole combination to withdraw.

Live scoring is available throughout the weekend at http://www.australian3de.com.au/pages/results.html

20 November 2012

Cream of Australia aims to rise to the top in Adelaide

Story by: FEI

Riders in the northern hemisphere may have packed up for their winter break, but it's all systems go here in the south as competitors start converging on Adelaide for the second leg of this season's HSBC FEI Classics.

The Australian event is the only four star competition in the southern hemisphere and offers local riders a chance to get a foothold on the leader board for the valuable HSBC FEI Classics. Last year’s Adelaide winner Stuart Tinney (AUS) went on to finish in fifth place overall.

An Olympic gold medallist from Sydney 2000, Tinney will pair with the 14 year old grey gelding Pluto Mio who is starting at four star level for the first time. The combination recently won the Goulburn CIC3*.

Other big names joining Tinney in the four star include Beijing silver medallist Shane Rose (APH Moritz), recent winner of Goulburn CCI3* John Twomey (Highly Recommended), Natalie Blundell (Algebra) and Craig Barrett whose two entries

Sandhills Brillaire and Wendela Jamie are also making their CCI4* debut.

The all Australian field will come before a Ground Jury led by Christian Landolt (SUI) as president, who is joined by Marilyn Payne (USA) and Vicky Brydon (AUS). Alec Lochore (GBR), who directed the Eventing competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games, will act as Technical Delegate.

The event, directed by double Olympic gold medallist Gill Rolton, literally stops the traffic, as the Cross Country takes place in the city centre, in Victoria Park, where Course Designer Wayne Copping is sure to have built another spectacular thriller.

Competition commences on Thursday and you can follow the action at

www.australian3de.com.au and www.fei.tv