Emma Bishop Shines at Albury

It was a great weekend for eventing at the 2018 Albury Wodonga Horse Trials, sporting a substantial turnout across 13 classes from EvA60 right up to CIC3*, which boasted a solid 32 entries in that class alone. A selection of top riders using this as final preparation for the upcoming prestigious Australian International 3 Day Event coming up on 15^th-18^th November.

The Blacklocks ISUZU Ute CIC3* class was hotly contended and after dressage only the tiniest of margins separated the top three combinations. Tania Harding, riding Jirrima Yorkshire sat in first place on 71.93%, just 0.01% above the score of 71.92% posted by Emma Bishop and CP Issey Miyake. The ladies were closely followed by Tim Boland and mount Napoleon, just 0.67% behind, sitting in 3^rd.

The show jumping was close, with several riders managing clear rounds. Harding maintained pole position, with Bishop dropping down to 4^th after picking up 4 faults. Boland took the opportunity to move into 2^nd and Stuart Tinney on Celebration moved up from 4^th after dressage to sit 3^rd going into the final phase. Gemma Tinney on Annapurna was looking set on catching her father from 5^th place.

The final phase of cross country proved challenging enough, with every rider picking up time penalties to some degree. Bishop took the top honours, climbing her way back up from 4^th after the show jumping to win the class, looking to be right on target for the CCI4* in Adelaide in a couple of weeks. Harding slipped down one position to finish in 2^nd place, with Boland withdrawing after show jumping and Hamish Cargill aboard Legolas KPH leaping up from 7^th to take out 3^rd place.

Stuart Tinney finished back where he started in 4^th; daughter Gemma racked up 40 penalties, so not able to pip Dad at the post this time – but she’ll get another crack at it when father and daughter go hoof-to-hoof again in the CCI4* at Adelaide too.