20th May 2007
Taupo Trans Tasman CCI *** is won by New Zealand yet again. Amazingly even though Australia is blessed with much more strength in quality and numbers we have managed to surrender the Trans Tasman trophy. Australia failed to produce a team score with Claudia Graham unable to trot up her horse, Blazing Chief and Georgia Clifford's horse It's Monty getting eliminated on the cross country. Individually, Sonja Johnson and Jaguar were the winners. Third went to Australian individual Emily Anker and seventh went to Stuart Tinney and Vettori.
18th May 2007
Grand Armee has surgery on his throat to correct his wind. Tim noticed at Scone that Grandee's breathing had deteriorated to an extent that was no longer acceptable if he had any future in this sport. It was indeed the reason he stopped racing last season. As normally happens under duress the problem gets worse and needs to be corrected surgically. Jonathon Lumsden from Randwick Equine Centre performed the surgery and all went smoothly. We expect him back competing in September. Grand Armee is considered by Tim to be a serious event horse in the making.
13th May 2007
Chatsworth CIC W *** hosts England's most beautiful horse trials. Blessed with massive entries following the disappointing Badminton the week before Chatsworth drew together a quality field with the most picturesque backdrop of Chatsworth House. Mary King was the eventual winner with her latest star Call Again Cavalier. Second went to Britain's new young gun Oli Townend riding Flint Curtis. The highest placed Australian rider was Marie Ryan riding Penny Royal.
13th May 2007
Quirindi Horse Trials hosts a new event on the NSW eventing calendar. In a year where the calendar looks particularly bare, Quirindi Equestrian Club built a new cross country at a fabulous venue and were rewarded with huge entries in all classes. This year the competition only ran up to prenovice but I'm sure once word gets out about this wonderful event it will only grow. Kim Steineger and her very good horse Cool Concept won the prenovice from a strong field.
Tim's working pupils continue to do well on their new horses.
Sophie Adams and Izmo |
Louise Barnes and Royal Hawaiian |
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6th May 2007
Scone Horse Trials played host to an international 3DE catering for all levels from 3*** to introductory. Field sizes were very small due to the continued drought and hard ground as well as the very expensive entry fees. Let us hope next year that both of these restraints are removed and we return to the big fields that Scone is used to hosting. The 3*** was ridiculously under subscribed with only 2 riders and the winner was Marcia Williamson and her faithful Kalason. The 2** was won by Erin Pitt and No Objection and the 1* was won by former Adelaide CCI **** winner Nat Blundell on her new prospect, Algebra.
6th May 2007
Badminton CCI **** is won by Australian Lucinda Fredericks ridingHeadley Brittania. In a teriffic performance Lucinda on her 15.2 h mare was able to lead from the start with a wonderful dressage test (34.8) that was uncatchable for the whole week. This was especially impressive as it followed on from her win at Britain's other major CCI **** in the spring, Burghley. It was a good week for the Frederick household because Lucinda's husband was able to win Kentucky CCI **** the previous weekend.
The ground at Badminton, while not as hard as Scone, obviously, caused more than half the field to withdraw before cross country robbing the crowds of seeing the stars battling it out. Second went to Andreas Dibowski and Serve Well representing Germany finishing on their dressage score of 41.6. Third went to Kim Severson and the wonderful triple Kentucky CCI **** winner Winsome Adante who uncharacteristically had 2 rails down which cost her the win. Australia's triple gold medallist Matt Ryan was fourth on Bonza Katoomba. Australian selectors are overwhelmed with the quality of horse flesh on offer to represent Australia.
