The Eventers had two events during April, on the 10-11 April we competed at the Scone CNC competition.This was the first event for Scone for some time due to insurance issues, we enjoyed the event and hope the Scone Horse Trials can continue to run great events in the future. Scone was the last start for ‘Beauford Miss Dior’ (Willie) before she heads over to New Zealand to compete in the Taupo CCI***. She is going very well and Shane is really hoping to put in a great performance at Taupo to catch the eye of the National Selectors before the Athens Olympics. Willie finished 2nd in the CNC*** at Scone just behind Nikki Richardson who is also heading over to New Zealand, the competition is going to be tough in New Zealand. Just the way Shane likes it.
Shane also finished 2nd in the CNC** this time with All Luck (Lucky), Lucky is proving to be an extremely competitive horse, he has talent in all three phases and is quickly becoming one of Shane’s favourites. Shane clocked up his third 2nd place for the weekend with Gandolf the Grey (Charlie) in the Pre Novice. Charlie has come along so quickly, he is just four years old. The will now go out for a six week spell, just to let him have a break. Shane also rode Pam Laidlaw’s Krug in the Prelim, he is a cute horse and finished in 7th place. Sally and Corey Keable’s Remember Bob jumped clear around the Pre Novice and placed 11th.
I had a weekend of mixed fortunes, Joanne Markwell’s Ladybrook Remington continues to impress me and he cruised around the Prelim to finish in second place. My own Dane W Brown was leading after the dressage and showjumping however he was a little sore before cross-country due to a haematoma on his leg so I did not run him.
Our other event for the month was Berrima CNC, it was a quiet weekend for Shane and I with only two rides each. Lucky continued on his winning way and convincingly won the CNC**, Charlotte Mottram’s Thanks A Billion (Extra) performed very well and place 4th in the CNC**, Extra is new to this level and he handled it well. A good result for both horses which was a nice Birthday present for Shane.
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| Mantovani winning at Berrima |
Lucky and Extra are both aimed toward the Sydney CCI**. I managed the quinella in the Prelim class with Statford Mantovani and Remi placing 1st and 2nd respectively. We currently have several horses for sale and we are please that Wish Me Luck (Black Lucky) has found a wonderful home with Sharon Bolton. Sharon and Black Lucky are very well suited and I am sure they will have a great deal of fun and success together.
We have had a huge amount of interest for Midnight Chapel, however horses being horses, he has managed to cut this leg and will be out for about a month while it heals.
We are now busy getting ready for the Taupo CCI*** in New Zealand, four Australia’s (Nikki Richardson, Olivia Bunn, Catherine Davies and Shane) and Husref Malek from Malaysia will be making the trip to NZ. As Athen’s approaches everyone is keen to perform at their best to try and gain selection to represent Australia at the Games. It is going to be an interesting few months. Stay tuned for updates. Niki