Chelsea Priestly rises to the top of the Horseland CCI** after Cross Country

On a mixed start to the Qantas Cross Country day, the challenging Horseland CCI** course planned by International designer Mike Etherington-Smith proved to be the undoing for some experienced horse and rider combinations.

In perfect cross country conditions here in the Adelaide Parklands, 15 riders were unable to complete the course, opening up the Leaderboard and the challenge for the top sport ahead of the final day of Jumping tomorrow.

After an exciting day of dressage, there has been a complete change of leaders, with Chelsea Priestley and Skansen Purist now occupying 1^st place on 51.20 penalties with Emma Mason and Warrego Marco Polo only 0.1 penalties behind on 51.30. Closing off the top three, Matthew Gaske and his mount, Thymes Too, had a wonderful round, coming from 13^th place, currently sitting on 55.80.

In the Thoroughbred Racing SA category, Belinda Ibister and her OTT horse, Here To Stay, are currently in 1^st place, (4^th place overall) on 58.50, having risen from 25^th after dressage and is closely followed by Cindy Lyall on her OTT horse GI Joe on 58.70.

The winner of the Horseland CCI** is certainly up for grabs for those horse and rider combinations that can keep their cool and composure at the final stage.

Matthew Gaske and Thymes Too