7th July - PLANS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE EVENTING SEASON
With the disappointing end result at Melbourne CCI*** Tim will now plan to run Billy at Sydney CCI*** in early September and also at Adelaide CCI**** in mid November.
The lead up events for Sydney CCI*** (8-11 Sept) will be SIEC CNC*** on 30/31 of July and Camden CIC*** on August 27/28.
The lead up events for Adelaide CCI**** (16 – 20 Nov) will be Goulburn CIC*** on the 15/16 of October and Canberra CIC*** on the 29/30 of October. It is essential for Tim and Billy to be winning in order to be considered for a team spot at London.
25th June - WEEKEND WINNERS FROM LIMITLESS LODGE
We have been slack in highlighting winners from the farm recently which doesn’t mean that there hasn’t been any. Saturday, June 25th was a particularly satisfying day with Limitless Lodge producing 6 Metropolitan winners in Sydney and Brisbane. At Rosehill, horses produced by Limitless Lodge won 4 of the 8 races contested.
The Verminator produced a dominant staying performance to win for trainer Chris Waller and jockey Damien Oliver. The Verminator has been and always is pre-trained at Limitless Lodge.
Velroso was a dominant 2yo for trainer Chris Waller, Velroso was broken in and educated at Limitless Lodge. He was always precocious and is a full brother to another Stakes winning 2yo Siderius, also broken in at Limitless Lodge.
Little Surfer Girl completed the Chris Waller treble and is always spelled and pre-trained at the farm for Chris and the Ingham family.
The other Rosehill winner was Divya for trainer Bart Cummings and the Wynyarra Pastoral Co from Kia Ora Stud. Divya is now building an imposing winning record and will be well places by the master trainer J B Cummings in the coming months. Like all Kia Ora horses, she was broken in and is pre-trained at Limitless Lodge each preparation.
At Eagle Farm, the Cup was won by Ironstein in a good staying performance for trainer Gerald Ryan. Gerald has kept this horse fresh and he has held his form for many wins now. Ironstein is freshened up on the aquacizer at Limitless Lodge mid preparation.
Mahisara for trainer Paul Messara and owners Wynyarra Pastoral Co scored a great win in the 2yo Listed event at Eagle Farm. This was always a beautiful, precocious 2yo who just keeps getting better. He was broken in at Limitless Lodge, like all the Wynyarra Pastoral Co horses.
13th June - MELBOURNE 3 DAY EVENT
Every leading eventer’s mid season goal is Melbourne 3DE at the long weekend in June. The weather and the ground were perfect. The course was fair without being too tough, and the ground jury was headed by Christoph Hess who is most experienced and did a wonderful job.
After the dressage, Heath Ryan and Mystery Whisper led the way convincingly from Tim and GV Billy Elliot and Craig Barrett and Wendela Jaime in equal 2nd.
In the cross country, Heath had an annoying refusal and fall late on course to throw the doors wide open for the rest of the field. There were several run outs but time was the critical factor.
Inexplicably, Tim managed to drop out of contention with 15 time penalties. Billy was fantastic but Tim’s mind was obviously elsewhere. He also jumped clear to finish 12th, just 10 points from the eventual winner, Craig Barrett on Wendela Jaime.
The Melbourne 3DE was a great competition with fantastic trade stands and it had a great feel to it, thanks to the new committee.
The CCI** was won by Katja Weiman and BP Cosmopolitan and the CCI* was won by Amanda Howell on William Wordsworth. These were 2 very worthy winners on beautiful young horses.
To view the full results go to; www.equestrianvictoriaevents.com.au/Melbourne3DE
1st June - TRAGIC FIRE AT BOYD MARTIN’S STABLES IN USA
An absolute tragedy unfolded for former leading Australian and now American based rider, Boyd Martin and his team of eventers at approximately 12:30am this morning.
An electrical fault caused a massive barn fire and the death of 6 eventers, as well as serious injuries to 4 others and the staff trying to save them.
Among those horses to die was Phantom Pursuit. “Spider” was produced by Tim to CCI*** level before being sold to clients of Boyd Martin in early 2007. With Tim he was 2004 Horse of the Year, 2nd at Adelaide CCI** in 2004 and 2005 and winner of many CIC***s
Spider was a gorgeous horse and our deepest sympathies are extended to his American family and all those involved in this extreme tragedy.
22nd May - TIM AND GV BILLY ELLIOT WIN CAMDEN EQUESTRIAD CIC***
All of Australia’s best horses and riders came together at this great event on Sydney’s Western outskirts as a final hit out prior to Melbourne CCI*** in 2 weeks. Eventing Equestriad is the brainchild of Shane and Niki Rose and has evolved into a must go to event for all of Australia’s leading riders.
The courses were new and vibrant and the ground was well prepared and aerated, which is somewhat of a luxury in the Southern Hemisphere. The VIP marquee was full to overflowing with great views of the cross country course and the weather was fantastic.
Tim and Billy were able to lead the dressage in a strong field of 40. This was very exciting as Billy had barely been worked with an injury scare following Sydney World Cup, and we know he can do a much better test.
Billy was very good on the cross country and reliably clear showjumping to defeat Emma Mason (F1 Pharinelli) and Christine Bates (Adelaide Hill). It is now all systems go to Melbourne CCI***.
The CIC** was won by Shane Rose and Il Vici. In a very good weekend for the stable, Sophie Adams was able to win the CIC* on Mercator Du Ry, by finishing on her leading dressage score.
Tim’s only other ride for the weekend, Astronomical, finished 4th in the preliminary and is now ready to upgrade to pre novice. This horse is very talented and is just reward for his patient owner, Kim Harding. Astronomical has had a very successful season and will hopefully someday repay his $300,000 purchase price as a yearling from Inglis Easter Sales.
For videos and full results go to; www.equestriad.equestrian.org.au
