Eventing: Adelaide: Australian International: Craig Barrett on the verge of winning his first Adelaide CCI4*

24 November 2012

Craig Barrett on the verge of winning his first Adelaide CCI4*

New South Wales rider Craig Barrett has emerged as the new leader of the Australian International CCI4* after a difficult cross country course caused a number of combinations to prematurely end their campaign for this year’s title.

Image: Craig Barrett and Sandhills Brillaire. Photo credit: www.inmotionphotography.ifp3<http://www.inmotionphotography.ifp3>.com

Craig and his 15 year old mare Sandhills Brillaire will enter Sunday’s show jumping phase with a commanding eight penalty lead over second positioned Natalie Blundell (Algebra). Their strong performance around the difficult cross country course effectively gives them a two rail advantage for the final.

Craig’s other horse Wendela Jamie - which was in second place leading into today’s cross country phase, was one of six horses to fall short of the finish line.

“The mare that went first was absolutely sensational, I couldn’t be happier with how she performed. She is just a great horse and she did a great job today.”

“I feel a bit sorry for Wendela Jamie because I don’t feel I did him justice. He’s a much better horse than the results show but that’s just the nature of eventing,” Craig said.

Just eight combinations completed today’s cross country phase with the course testing even the most experienced riders. Beijing silver medallist Shane Rose, who was leading the field after dressage, and Sydney gold medallist Stuart Tinney, who was in third before today’s phase, also made the decision to retire.

For many combinations it was a narrow fence at one of the water jumps which was their undoing.

“There was definitely something the horses didn’t quite understand, maybe it was to do with jumping in (to the water). Some horses jumped it beautifully… but it was more than coincidence that six horses in a row ran out to the side,” said technical delegate Alec Lochore.

“It’s easy in hindsight to consider all sorts of factors – was it the jump into the water, was it the light and shade. (It would be premature) to do a post mortem analysis right now, I need to consider it in more detail,” he said.

The Adelaide International Three Day Event is the second leg of the 2012/2013 HSBC FEI ClassicsTM – a six series competition made up of the world’s only four star event competitions. The AI3DE is the only four star event in the southern hemisphere.

Sunday’s show jumping action will decide this year’s winner. Action is set to get underway from 2:30pm local time.

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Eventing: Adelaide: HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012/2013: Craig Barrett and Sandhills Brillaire claim Cross Country lead in Adelaide

HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012/2013: Craig Barrett and Sandhills Brillaire claim Cross Country lead in Adelaide

By Anna Sharpley

Craig Barrett, leader after the challenging Cross Country phase of the HSBC FEI Classics™ in Adelaide, and riding in his first 4* competition, said he was both “absolutely thrilled” and “disappointed” after today’s action: “Sandhills Brillaire went beautifully and galloped really well, but with Wendela Jamie (Dressage leader), I just made too many mistakes”.

It was a dramatic Cross Country day that saw the top three after Dressage failing to make it through the finish flags. Barrett produced the run of the day with the competition trailblazing home-bred Staccato mare, adding just 0.8 of a time penalty to take the lead with a two-day total of 51.80.

Barrett’s other ride, Wendela Jamie, had a runout at the costly number 13, a skinny fence on a related distance off the island in Rymill Lake, and it was here too that Stuart Tinney came to grief and retired after the big grey, Pluto Mio avoided the issue twice.

Shane Rose, who put in a faultless performance to lead the CCI2*, struck trouble early on the 4* track with a runout at 5B riding APH Moritz. A further stop at the Advertiser Hedge saw Rose joining the six 4* competitors to walk home.

Wayne Copping’s track was shortened by 30 seconds, with the Qantas Flyover taken out and the last fence situated close to the misting tents and cooling off area. The weather turned out not to be as severe as predicted, but with horse welfare paramount, the adjustment was applauded by all.

Natalie Blundell from Harden in New South Wales was in contention for London 2012 Olympic Games selection, and with her talented horse Algebra, used her experience to produce only the second clear round over the fences. The pair added 5.6 time penalties and hold overnight second place with 59.80. Natalie won the first Adelaide 4* in 1999 riding Billy Bathgate and declared: “I hope to put pressure on Craig tomorrow”.

“The weather suited the tough Thoroughbred”, commented Craig, with Algebra and Murray Lamperd’s Under The Clocks, both ex-racehorses, proving the point. Murray and Under The Clocks had a runout at the tall Rose Garden Corners at 17ab. He then added some Thoroughbred speed to come home with only 14.8 time penalties to claim third place after the tough Cross Country. Lamperd is an experienced rider, but has not competed at a 4* event for some time. “It was overwhelming; so intense and so big, I need practice to ride at this level again. The horse is honest and I am positive, and that normally gets us through.”

All the riders declared Adelaide a valuable member of the HSBC FEI Classics™ series. The Cross Country track, at just over 10 minutes, was challenging and demanding with the skinny fence 13 coming out of Rymill Lake catching six riders. Technical Delegate Alec Lochore explained: “There was definitely something the horses didn’t quite understand. Some horses jumped it beautifully, but it was more than just a coincidence that six horses ran out to the side. It could have been the jump into water, or the light and the shade.”

Penalties were also spread around the course resulting in runouts. Apart from one rider fall, the faults came from failure to have the horse well enough in front of the leg and straight, resulting in harmless but costly penalties.

Spectators flocked to the venue in their thousands, aiming for the shade afforded by the Adelaide Parklands. The event grows each year and, since it became part of the prestigious HSBC FEI Classics™ series, its profile has undoubtedly grown amongst Australian equestrian enthusiasts.

Event Director Gill Rolton was pleased to comment that the Local South Australian Government and Adelaide City Council were both now fully behind the event. “Running this event is a huge commitment, but we need an event of this stature in this country,” she said.

The final Jumping phase will be staged tomorrow, with Barrett aiming not only to win the Adelaide leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™, but also claim the HSBC Bursary for the highest placed rider never to have previously completed a 4* event.

Results after Cross Country:

1 Craig Barrett/Sandhills Brillaire (AUS) 51 + 0.8 = 51.80

2 Natalie Blundell/Algebra (AUS) 54.2 + 5.6 = 59.80

3 Murray Lamperd/Under The Clocks (AUS) 50.7 + 34.8 = 85.50

4 John Twomey/Highly Recommended (AUS) 60.5 + 36.8 = 97.30

5 Jessica Manson/Legal Star (AUS) 62.2 + 44.4 = 106.60

6 Keira Byrnes/Fox Hill (AUS) 67.5 + 54.8 = 122.30

7 Crystal Conning/Marcus Aurelius (AUS) 61.2 + 80.8 = 142.00

8 Andrew Cooper/Guest Of Honour (AUS) 62.0 + 95.0 = 157.00

Full results on www.australian3de.com.au

Follow the action LIVE tomorrow (Sunday, 25 November) on FEI TV www.feitv.org, the FEI’s official video channel:

01:30 CET – 03:30 CET Jumping 2* Competition (*last two hours of competition)

04:55 CET – 05:45 CET HSBC FEI Classics™ Jumping (*also available on Monday 26 November in the afternoon as Video-On-Demand).

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

Eventing: Badminton: TODD IS BACK IN POLE POSITION IN CLOSEST EVER FINALE AT BADMINTON - By Kate Green

Mark Todd (NZL) on NZB Land Vision leads on Cross-Country Day at Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials 2011 – first leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011 © Kit Houghton/FEI

FEI PRESS RELEASE
Lausanne (SUI), 24 April 2011

Listen to interviews with:

•    Mark Todd after becoming leader of the HSBC FEI Classics™ first leg at Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.
•    Marina Köhncke in English and German - second on Calma Schelly and could yet make history as the first German rider to win Badminton.
•    Nicola Wilson – third on Operation Buzz.

Follow the action with daily news reports from the FEI and live TV coverage on FEI TV.

There was a thrilling climax to Cross-Country day at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials – the first leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ - when Mark Todd (NZL) returned to a hero’s welcome, having produced a masterful display of riding to bring the inexperienced NZB Land Vision home clear and into the lead.

However, the three-times Badminton winner and double Olympic champion will need all his renowned skill in tomorrow’s Jumping phase for, in a remarkable result, the price of one fence covers the top 12 riders.

“Land Vision is a good horse but he’s relatively young (10) and he did feel green,” said Todd, whose last appearance in a CCI4* press conference was 12 years ago when he finished second on Word Perfect.

“He definitely felt tired after Huntsmans Close and I had to nurse him home, but he felt really genuine. I had to give him a bit of a shake-up in the Quarry but he picked up and that’s the sign of a good horse.”

Marina Köhncke who, coincidentally led Todd in the Dressage back in 1994, could yet make history as the first German rider to win Badminton. She is lying second on Calma Schelly.

In a dramatic afternoon, she was held on course while officials attended to Louise Skelton (GBR) and Partly Pickled, who fell at the Sunken Lane (16). “I wasn’t that cool about being held, because I don’t do this (riding at 4-star level) that often!” said Köhncke.

“But everyone was telling me at the start that I had to go faster this time. Finishing so well at Badminton is a dream for me. It’s fantastic to be back.”

Pathfinder Andrew Nicholson (NZL), who is lying fourth on Nereo, gave a typically confidence-giving display to his peers, coming home seven seconds inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 15 seconds on Avebury, despite taking the long route at the Farmyard (fence 15). But the time proved much harder to achieve than predicted, with only seven of the 76 starters crossing the finish line penalty free.

Dressage leader Ruth Edge (GBR) got as far as the bounce of hedges in Huntsmans Close (fence 24) before Two Thyme stopped and Emily Baldwin (GBR) and Drivetime, fifth, got no further than the Lake, an obstacle that has been their downfall before.

Oliver Townend (GBR), seventh, had a near-miss when Ashdale Cruise Master pecked in the Lake, and it was all over when the grey fell on landing over the third element of the Quarry (fence 27).

Aoife Clark (IRL), eighth, had a frustrating ealy run-out at the Hillside (fence 6) on Master Crusoe, and Susanna Bordone (ITA), ninth, lost her chance when Carrera tripped up the step out of the Lake and incurred 20 penalties.

Ingrid Klimke (GBR), equal 10th, was taken to hospital in Bristol for a precautionary look at her leg after Butts Abraxxas tipped over the second log element of Huntsmans Close. Selina O’Hanlon, on the same Dressage score as Klimke, dropped out of the reckoning with two refusals at the Sunken Road (16).

After a horse fall at the same fence, Elizabeth Power (IRL) was also taken to hospital for a check-up after being knocked unconscious but was reported to be recovering well.

There were, however, 50 clear rounds and 59 horses will go through to tomorrow’s Jumping phase in what promises to be the most exciting finale ever.

HSBC Training Bursary
Flora Harris (GBR), lying 19th on Law Choice, is currently in line to win the HSBC Training Bursary - a unique award presented to the highest placed rider at each HSBC FEI Classics™ leg who completes a 4* event for the very first time. The winning rider will be presented with an award and training voucher to the value of $1,000 tomorrow.

Results
1 Mark Todd/NZB Land Vision (NZL) 36.8 + 6.8 = 43.6
2 Marina Köhncke/Calma Schelly (GER) 39.8 + 4 = 43.8
3 Nicola Wilson/Opposition Buzz (GBR) 44.0 + 0 = 44.0
4 Andrew Nicholson/Nereo (NZL) 44.3 + 0 = 44.3
5 Piggy French/Jakata (GBR) 36.0 + 9.2 = 45.2
6 Laura Collett/Rayef (GBR) 36.5 + 8.8 = 45.3
7 Mary King/Imperial Cavalier (GBR) 44.2 + 1.6 = 45.8
8 Sam Griffiths/Happy Times (AUS) 46.3 + 0 = 46.3
9 Niklas Lindback/Mister Pooh (SWE) 46.7 + 0 = 46.7
10 Caroline Powell/Lenamore (NZL) 47.2 + 0 = 47.2
11 Andrew Nicholson/Avebury (NZL) 47.2 + 0 = 47.2
12 Kai Rüder/Le Prince des Bois (GER) 44.8 + 2.4 = 47.2

HSBC FEI Classics™ Calendar of Events in 2011
1. 21-25 April - Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR)
2. 28 April-1 May - Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event (USA) 
3. 16-19 June - Luhmühlen presented by E.ON Avacon (GER)
4. 1-4 September - Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR)
5. 13-16 October - Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA) 

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

Video Alert: Eventing: Badminton: Cross-Country Course Walk with Hugh Thomas

Badminton has released an excellent cross-country course walk video hosted by Badminton Course Designer Hugh Thomas and Sharon Hunt...

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

Eventing: Adelaide: CCI2*: Day 2: Cross-Country Interim Results

No.

Horse Name

Rider Name

Nat.

Dressage

Cross Country

Show Jumping

Total

Place

Penalty

Place

Time Taken

Jump Faults

Time Faults

Place

Time Taken

Jump Faults

Time Faults

72

CHARLATAN

LUKE JONES

SA

50.00

4

07:56

0

0.0

1

50.00

1

52

HARUZAC

CHRISTOPHER BURTON

NSW

52.20

5

07:43

0

0.0

2

52.20

2

Eventing: Galway Downs: Video Wrap Up

For a great summary of this past weekend's XC competition at Galway Downs, take a look at the USEA's Josh Walker video summary of Saturday's competition:

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

Eventing: Pau: CCI4*: FOX-PITT IN LINE FOR DOUBLE GLORY IN HSBC FEI CLASSICS™ THRILLER

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Navigator lead the Pau CCI4* after Cross-Country (Peter Nixon/FEI)

6 Nov 2010

Fifth leg of the HSBC FEI ClassicsTM, Pau (FRA), 4 - 7 November 2010

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) is in line for a memorable double – and a big pay cheque - having leapt into a commanding lead after Cross-Country at Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA), the final leg of the valuable HSBC FEI Classics™, in which he also holds top position.

Eventing: Galway Downs: CCI 1* Classic Format: Groesbeck Stays On Top of Classic-Format CCI1* at Galway Downs International Three-Day Event

Temecula, Calif., Nov. 6, 2010 — So far, so good for

Katherine Groesbeck from Wilton, Calif., at the Galway Downs

International Three-Day Event. She is currently keeping control

of the top two places in the classic-format CCI1* aboard her

homebred Anglo-Arabs.

Eventing: Pau: CCI4*: Results Leaderboard After Cross-Country

1    36    NAVIGATOR    WILLIAM FOX - PITT    48.0    (9)    10'43''    3.2    -    3.2    51.2    0.0 (Par KETTRICE et ROYAL MISTRESS)
2    23    LAMICELL CHARIZARD    KARIN DONCKERS    41.8    (1)    11'17''    16.8    -    16.8    58.6    7.4
3    38    REMINGTON XXV    BOYD MARTIN    43.2    (4)    11'15''    16.0    -    16.0    59.2    8.0 HANN    (Par RUBINSTEIN I et HAUPTSTUTBUCH par WENZEL I)

Eventing: Pau: CCI4*: William Fox-Pitt Leads Pau CCI4* After Cross-Country

Press Release Saturday 11-6-2010

William Fox-Pitt playing it safe.

The current world n°1, British William Fox-Pitt, took the lead in Pau with the cross- country on Saturday that he started off without taking any risks: “I might have taken chicken ways, but my priority was to return home in one piece.” This strategy proved to be successful as the Briton took command in this class, thus strengthening his top position in the HSBC FEI Classics.

WEG Eventing: Peter Atkins Eventing Cross Country Helmet Cam Video

Note camera on Peter Atkins' helmet... (© 2010, Nan Rawlins/Equimage®)

If you've ever wondered what it was like to ride a CCI4* Cross-Country Course, now you can experience the ride.  Peter Adkins, on his horse Henny, galloped the 2010 Alltech® FEI WEG  Eventing Cross-Country course wearing a helmet cam.  The camera has a built in gyro which makes the video images incredibly stable.  So climb into the saddle and experience 4-star cross-country for yourself:

Eventing: Boekelo CCI***: Cross Country Video Course Walk

To view a video Boekelo Cross-Country course walk visit: 

Eventing: Boekelo CCI***: Courdray and Faudree Move Up After CC

Courtesy USEF:

The U.S. horses made up some significant ground on the cross-country today at the Boekelo CCI3* in Holland. Tiana Coudray dropped one place in the standings after picking up some time faults on the cross country, she lies sixth on a score of 53.8.

Eventing: Boekelo: CCI *** Cross-Country Leaderboard Results Going into Jumping

http://janssen.sportcg.net/boekelo/leaderboard01.html

• Judge at C : Christian Landolt (SUI)
• Judge at M : Dr. Ernst Topp (GER)
• Judge at E : Ciska van Meggelen (NED)

Rank	No.	Rider		Horse	Dressage		Rank after Dressage		Cross-Country		Rank after Cross-Country		Jumping		Final Score
					Points	Percentage	Score	Rank	Faults	Time	Score	Rank	Faults	Time
1.	282	Mark Todd		Landvision	538	71,73	42,40	2.	1,60	10:49	44,00	1.
		- / gelding / grey / 9 / by BROADSTONE LANDMARK out of STONECRAFT HOLLY / - / New Zealand Bloodstock Ltd. & Mark Todd			Judge Points Percentage Rank C 178 71,20 3. M 178 71,20 2. E 182 72,80 2.				Rank: 8. J-Faults: 0 - T-Faults: 1,60
2.	265	Michael Jung		Weidezaunprofi's River of Joy	561	74,80	37,80	1.	8,40	11:06	46,20	2.
		Pferdezuchtverband Baden-Württemberg / gelding / darkbay / 9 / by RUBICELL out of PAGENA by PAGENO XX / Elke Wachter / Ralf Renner			Judge Points Percentage Rank C 183 73,20 1. M 192 76,80 1. E 186 74,40 1.				Rank: 23. J-Faults: 0 - T-Faults: 8,40
3.	257	Michael Jung		Leopin	517	68,93	46,60	7.	0,00	10:43	46,60	3.
		Pferdezuchtverband Sachsen-Thüringen / gelding / bay / 11 / by LEGAL LEGEND XX out of PIOPINIA by PIUS / Annegret Braha / Anke Hoyer			Judge Points Percentage Rank C 175 70,00 5. M 172 68,80 8. E 170 68,00 8.				Rank: 1. J-Faults: 0 - T-Faults: 0,00

WEG Eventing: Cross-Country Keeps Germany’s Jung Atop Eventing World Championships, Presented by Reem Acra

Michael Jung (GER) and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW.  (©Nan Rawlins for Equimage® Media)

Lexington, KY — As the day’s third-last starter, Germany’s Michael Jung and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW made the cross-country course look easy at the Eventing World Championships, presented by Reem Acra.  The pair added nothing to their dressage penalty score of 33.00, to keep the lead they took yesterday in the dressage phase at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. 

WEG Eventing: Cross-Country Audio Interview Links for Jung, Fox-Pitt, Holder

Audio Interview links are now available for today's cross-country leaders...

WEG Eventing: BRITISH TEAM GALLOPS INTO THE LEAD, BUT GERMANY'S JUNG STILL HEADS INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS - by Louise Parkes

Michael Jung (GER) and La Biosthetique Sam FBW head into the Land Between the Lakes (©Equimage® Media)

After walking the cross-country course earlier in the week, riders agreed that the result of the Eventing Championship at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky would not be decided in the dressage arena, and they were proven right today.  But no-one could have imagined just how influential Mike Etherington-Smith's 28 fence track would be.  On a day of high drama and fantastic competition, and in front of a massive crowd of over 50,000 spectators, the dressage team order was dramatically altered as the British were the only ones to stand firm.   However Michael Jung kept the German flag flying high with a brilliant late run from La Biosthetique Sam to hold onto individual pole position. 

WEG Eventing: Veterinary Update on Eventing Horses after Cross Country

Horse # 513, Fernhill Clover Mist
Horse #513, Fernhill Clover Mist, ridden by Patricia Ryan (IRL), was injured today while competing in the Cross-Country phase of the Eventing World Championships at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Lexington, Kentucky.  An injury occurred to the horse’s left hock while he was galloping between fences on course.  He was transported to the on-site Games veterinary clinic, where he was examined and medicated before being returned to his own stall.  The attending veterinarian expects the horse to continue to improve.

Horse #542, Inonothing
Horse #542, Inonothing, ridden by Paul Tapner (AUS), was injured at Fence 13b on the cross country course at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Lexington, KY.
Diagnostic X-rays performed at the on-site Games Veterinary Clinic showed a fracture of the horse’s left hind patella (knee cap).  The horse is currently resting in his own stall.  The prognosis is favorable.