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Australian International Three day Event 2010
By Elizabeth Moore
After spending a good 6 months in Adelaide training at Clarendon Park with Gillian Rolton, It was the time of year where Adelaide meets WA crew once again.
This year we had a Massive amount of riders coming across the Nullarbor to show Australia what we are all about. In the 4* we had Sophie Warren on Lets Impress and also Phillipa Dunstan on Blythe Spirit.
In the CCI2* we had Antonia Hartley on Due Heed, Makayla Wood on Just Carona YR, Tegan Lush on Tempus Fugit YR, Emily Gray on Deltry Invader YR and Myself on Ellesmere Cailin YR who I brought 8 weeks prior to Adelaide.
The CIC 2* class also held a handful of WA competitors being Tegan Lush on Belfast Mojito , Shaun Dillion on Allmac Regence, Tracy Llyod on Wood Have Been, Carlie Waller on Smeagle and Myself again on Sir Dex who I had only 6 weeks prior to Adelaide.
With everyone coming in at different times I managed to get a whole group of us westies out for dinner prior to Radelaide (Adelaide) to talk tactics (well actually just have a fun night talking about travelling, the jumps and the great nights ahead!) with dinner being on the very late side we all still managed to have a great time and scoring a free bottle of wine.
In my own true fashion I was probably the 3rd truck down there on the first Tuesday which I then made friends with the car parking guy managing to get the trucks of the WA team all together, this making it very easy for a central tent for talking the night away. As the first hot day went on I saw many of the WA rep flow in with few arriving the next day. Being a much organised WA person Roxie Taylor had managed to set up a production line of shirts for the Cheer Squad, Grooms, Parents and Riders. With the success of that I heard many of comments “have you seen WA they have their own cheer squad.” Yes we did not only the cheer squad but the biggest amount of WA riders I have seen in a long time coming across that “picturesque” Nullarbor.
Friday saw us come to the crunch “Dressage day” or as I have been naming it all year Stressage day which on this occasion Adelaide turned on the Drizzle weather. The day when no Parent, Groom or Boyfriend comes between the rider and their test. With stakes set high especially with the draw that the CCI 2* which managed to cop with Chris Burton going out very early on we were in it to give our best shot! With everyone coming back with partial smiles on their faces I would say it was a successful day at the office. With the opening of the course the previous day we all managed to get a glimpse of what was to come.
XC walking the general fashion was families with many new competitors from WA saw large family groups umming and arring over fence with riders giving the impression “yeah that’s no worries!” after probably 3 course walks that day I was finally confident I was going to get around the CCI2* for the team on my mount Ellesmere Cailin just slightly nervous about one particular apex which of course was near the end (was massive!). Many texts and phone calls to the previous owner and some convincing of my close Victorian friends who knew the horse said it will be fine putting me in a better mind!
That night which was probably the best thing to happen was Tegan’s Boyfriend Benny’s Birthday. Which Tegan had managed to Surprise him with dinner just around the corner. This worked well for me and hopefully everyone else easing the stresses about tomorrows long courses and cool downs. Unfortunately overnight we saw Carlie Waller Scratch herself from this prestigious competition
With an early start the next day on my Mare Ellesmere Cailin I was pumping full of adrenalin. The course this year was amazing with some challenges set in front of us. This year I saw myself to ride a super round of cross country even getting over that massive apex (I was very much a passenger for that jump) coming in with time penalties I had the biggest smile on my face! It’s not every day you get around a high standard course like this. As the day went on we saw many of the team come in with big smiles and some even under time!
Unfortunately in the 4* this was a different story with our two riders having problems. We saw Phillipa Dunstan manage to cop the 3 stops rule which put a immediate end to Paddy’s XC run at the water fence... those ducks were just too confusing! Sophie Warren was our other rider she was having a super run! Until she came to the panda boxes these were set on a curving line in the Haighs Chocolate box corner for the people who have seen the course. In this corner we unfortunately saw Sophie and Rex take a tumble. Sophie told me she is just very thankful she had her 2point Air Jacket on as she was slightly crushed on landing.
In the CIC 2* we saw many smiles again with all riders home safely... even if I did retire. I had some issues with not with the Ducks that our Paddy saw but the water fence itself. I thought in the best interest of the horse I would retire and come back next year to prove myself. With applause from the crowd I walked myself home through viewing area and all the people. I was quite proud of Dex that day he had showed me how mature he really is and how much potential he has.
Over that night our WA team horses were in quite good condition and were all tucked in nice and early. With confusion of the start time the next day saw my groom Jessamy Walsh getting up an hour early, but worked in well as there was plaiting still to do. Trot up was successfully for the remaining competitors having no issues at all. The CIC 2* was the first cab off the ranks that day seeing a completion for most riders with just Tegan Lush having issues with the very talented Mojo, I’m sure for Tegan who stayed on to do Camperdown she was happen with how the Young man went. I saw one of my Pony Club friends that day Tracy Llyod who is a member of the Serpentine Horse and Pony Club come out with her lovely little man and complete this amazing event!
CCI 2* it was crunch time! As my dad was telling me the night before Team WA YR was in the lead for the second year running... no pressure at all! Showjumping day for me has the biggest atmosphere as its jumping I mean crowds love jumping and it was in the main arena. This year I was happy with how many rails I got as I know they were all me! Just a bit more practise and next year will be bliss I saw myself knock 4 Makayla Wood had 7 Emily Gray with 2 and no time so far so Tegan just managed to BLITZ it with 0 faults and be one of two clear rounds that day. With some nervous moments after waiting on scores we saw a pile of rugs coming our way. We had success for the second year running WA Young Riders have it. We were the happiest people ever coming home with not only recognition of what WA has but rugs to show off at events to come!
With that all over and dusted I saw myself finally get on the road home after competing at Trans Tasman NZ, Melbourne 3DE Vic, Sydney 3DE NSW and the Australian International Three day it was time to step on some stunning West Aus soil again!
I would like to say a HUGE congrats to ALL of the WA representatives you did a super effort no matter where you came!
Clarendon Park – Gillian and Greg Rolton, for having me at your training facilities with an oversized truck
Phillipa Collier for your Organisation and being team manager for the Young Riders this year
Jenine Dilts- Bayman - thank you for providing the Team with the Team Saddle blankets and rugs and being the voice back and forth
Miss Jessamy Walsh – Without you my horses wouldn’t have been looking as amazing as they were thank you for the time and effort you put in!
My Mum and Dad - thank you for 2010 it was a hard year with the happy times and the tough. I promise next year won’t be so crazy!
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