10th August 2007
The Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Beijing Olympic Committee play host to the test event run at CCI** level at Bees River Country Club (approximately 30 minutes north from Sha Tin) this weekend coming. With the Beijing Olympics almost exactly 12 month away this is an important lead up for all the teams experimenting with the venue and logistics, not to mention the unrelenting heat and humidity at this time of the year. This venue is expected to be fantastic as it is situated on an undulating golf course.
Mike Etherington Smith is regarded universally as the world’s best course designer and he is in charge with a terrific team working with him. Megan Jones (Winergy Fedwell) and Shane Rose (Statford Novalis) will be Australia’s representatives and will be joined by Wayne Roycroft (Coach) and Denis Goulding (Australia’s team vet). Both horses arrived safely in Hong Kong last week.
8th August 2007
Phantom Pursuit, Tim’s leading horse for the past 2 seasons has been sold to an American young rider, Abbie Golden. She is a client of Phillip Dutton’s and is based in Texas. Spider has been a terrific horse with many wins and great results in Australia. He finished 2nd at Adelaide CCI** twice in 2004 and 2005 as well as winning Sydney CIC*** and Camden CIC*** in 2005. We wish Abbie all the best with him and will keep you up to date with his progress.
6th August 2007
England’s Premier CIC*** was held this weekend and drew together a star studded field. Over the last 6 weeks there have been so many cancellations because of the constant rain, but Gatcombe was bathed in sunshine and spectators appreciated the quality riding in (sweltering) 25° temperatures. In a thrilling contest the very experienced Mary King (47) and Call Again Cavalier defeated William Fox Pitt ( Moon Man) and Andrew Nicholson riding Lord Killinghurst. The best for the Australians was newly married Sam Griffiths riding Connigar Bay into 12th place closely followed by last year’s champion – World Championship Silver Medalist Clayton Fredericks riding Nullabor. For full results Click Here..
30th July 2007
Just like England, Australia has just emerged from its wettest winter in 50 years which has forced many cancelled events. Camden played host to a good weekend of eventing with fulled fields of riders desperate to compete after so long without a start. The courses were virtually the same as earlier in the season.
The CIC*** produced a thrilling result with Australia’s two best horses fighting it out in a great show jumping finale. Shane Rose and All Luck prevailed over Kirby Park Irish Jester ridden by Megan Jones. Both of these riders now head to Hong Kong on other horses for the Olympic Test Event. Tim rode 3 horses and all preformed well. Coney Island had his first pre novice start and came 3rd. Military Road came 6th in his pre novice section. Grand Armee, at his first run back since throat surgery in May was 2nd after the dressage with 68.8% and had a shock stop at the water and show jumped well. He will run again at Silver Hills in late August. For full results Click Here...
20th July 2007
Limitless Lodge is now back fully operational after the devastating June floods. The track has been restored to new and all the damaged fencing has been replaced. Despite fears we had lost several horses, we in fact only lost one which is still unaccounted for, Foaled Gold, trained by David Payne and owned by Carl Holt. Our sincere sympathies for all concerned. My staff was absolutely fantastic as were numerous friends who helped in our time of need. Of course others were affected much worse than us so we were actually very lucky.
Click Here to view some photos from Saturday June 9, 2007
