Tight at the Top after Day Two of Sydney International Horse Trials
On day two of the 2018 Sydney International Horse Trials, Victorian rider Amanda Ross and Koko Popping Candy maintain their lead in the CCI3* after completing the cross-country in 10min 14 sec (32.80 penalties).
But the Sydney 2000 Olympics Australian Eventing representative’s lead is only very slender with South Australian star Megan Jones and Kirby Park Impress closing in after a sensational round on the Mike Etherington-Smith designed course (10:06 sec). They trail in second position by only 0.20 penalties. NSW rider Emma Bishop and CP Issey Miyake are in third (34.90).
It’s the first time Amanda Ross has competed at the Sydney International Horse Trials since 2010 and she couldn’t be happier with her black Thoroughbred mare’s form, praising the influence of Equestrian Australia’s High Performance program in the positive development.
“She’s going very well. We’ve chipped away at short-term goals to reach the long-term goals,” said Amanda.
A major mover on the CCI3* leaderboard after today’s cross-country was Robert Palm and Koko Story. The combination elevated from 12th after Dressage to 5th placing after recording the fastest cross-country round of the day in 9min 49 sec.
Shane Rose and Swiper retired and Stuart Tinney and War Hawk drifted to last placing after incurring 50 penalties at the tricky Tarraleah Triple Brush (fence 7).
In the CNC3* it was a better outcome for Shane Rose and his FEI World Equestrian Games candidate Virgil maintain their lead after cross-country (40.80) and promising young rider Olivia Barton and APH Bertie Bad are second placed going into the final jumping phase tomorrow (43.70).
And in the CIC1* class today, a great story emerged with 14-year-old Oliver Barrett taking the lead after cross-country. Oliver, who is the son of former Australian Eventing Team Chef D’Équipe Prue Barrett who was a champion rider herself, now sits at the top of the leaderboard ahead of some of the biggest name riders in the sport including Shane Rose and Tim Boland.
“The goal was just to complete my first one star and to lead is just a bonus,” said Oliver.
Oliver was born into the sport and there’s little doubt he’s destined to become one of Australia’s top riders of the future.
“I’d like to one day represent Australia at the World Equestrian Games or Olympics,” he said.
For all results from day two of the 2018 Sydney International Horse Trials go to https://www.nominate.com.au/equest/nsw/results/Syd0418.htm
Photo credit Stephen Mowbray
Newsletter
