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Australian International 3DE - 14th Nov 2008

Christopher Burton has his eyes fixed on the last fence on his way to jumping a clear round for CCI**** victory with his own and Low Verwey's ,'Newsprint'. Chris and the Rubiton gelding would most likely have started favourites for the competition and they did not disappoint finishing on their dressage score, 55, to claim the $8000 first prize.

Australian International Three Day Event.
Adelaide City Parklands.
14th – 16th November.

By Anna Sharpley

The location was unique, the weather superb and the competition as exciting as any event director could wish for. Once again Adelaide itself was one of the star attractions, but even in this non Championship year the Adelaide Equity CCI Four Star had plenty of international class competition. It was not just a fluke that two thirds of the Silver Medal team at Hong Kong (Kirby Park Irish Jester and Ringwould Jaguar) was home grown and home produced. The top four in the CCI Four Star could throw their hat into any competition in the world and be in the money.

Christopher Burton had nothing short of a sensational weekend. Best presented rider at the first trot up, co winner (with Megan Jones) of the Anna Savage Trophy for "Best and Fairest Rider" of the previous year and winner of the CCI Four Star. None of the above would have been possible without the co operation of Newsprint, owned by the rider and Lou Verwey, and even he earned a prize of his own. The beautiful Thoroughbred gelding by Rubiton out of the Biscay mare, Dream of Kingston, won the Oakside Stud Prize of $1000 "awarded to the highest placed studbook Thoroughbred in the CCI****. Certainly a jolly drive home for the Burton entourage, as opposed to the long and gloomy, despite a very brave face, drive back to Lochinvar for Heath Ryan and Emma Armstrong. Heath spectacularly bowed out of the Four Star competition when Mystery Whisper made an unscheduled exit from the dressage arena at C, and Emma and Voortrekker were eliminated on the cross country. Eventing is nothing if not character building as Burton well knows, as he and Newsprint had an altercation with an official's car (the official being at fault) at the Sydney CCI*** in April. Christopher and Newsprint were third at the Melbourne CCI*** in June and made the step up to win the Australian International Four Star on the weekend finishing on their dressage score of 52. However, Chris was non too happy with that score, well below the 40.4 received at Melbourne.

Traditionally the showjumping is conducted in reverse order of placing following the cross country. Only 2.6 penalties separated the top five. Sadly Victorian combination, Natalie Davies and Chatswood Sharp Move, in second place after the cross country, saw a high end place in their first Four Star competition, slip from their grasp, as the jumping rails tumbled. Nonetheless, Natalie seemed to be pleased with her seventh place, as it was certainly a good Four Star debut performance. One would expect tough competition from Megan Jones and Wendy Schaeffer and Chris was under no illusion that either international stellar performer would let him off the hook. Wendy, as one would expect finished on her dressage score with her pair of Brilliant Invader nine year olds, Koyuna Sun Dancer and Koyuna Sun Shine. Megan announced another international prospect in the form of her typey eight year old Rustic Amber gelding, Kirby Park Allofasudden. Just 4 cross country time penalties marred what was otherwise a perfect performance. Last to go Chris had 1.10 penalties in hand and there was not much comfort in that. However, as is now history, Chris and Newsprint produced a faultless round over the 1.27m track for a popular victory, even though he did beat two beloved daughters of South Australia. The Four Star was a great competition and credit must be given to Course Designer, Wayne Copping who just about had to weave straw into gold. His course really tested the riders, with only one fall of rider in the 19 strong Four Star Field. Of those 19, 12 made it to the showjumping phase.

Seventeen year old Lauren Balcomb from Duffy's Forest in NSW led the Bates CCI Two Star from the outset with her Kootamootoo. Another beautiful horse, Kootamootoo , by Salute, was bred by Boyd Martin. Lauren has formed a great partnership with the nine year old and is one of a number of talented combinations waiting in the international wings. They added just one showjumping rail to finish with 49.60. Megan Jones and her Olympic Test Event mount, Kirby Park Fedwell, owned by Glenn Wallace, finished on their dressage score for second place with 54.10. Shane Rose was busy in the Two Star competition and really made a favourable impression with the Mortiz Syndicate's outstanding, APH Moritz. The beautiful five year old chestnut Warmblood by APH Coriolo, just added one showjumping time penalty for third place with 57.60. Christopher Burton held on to fourth place with Tina Stafford's Walk the Line and two showjumping rails on the floor saw Wil Enzinger slip from second to fifth riding Melanie Hilton's BWS Eagle.

Shane Rose was without serious challenger in the Bates CIC Two Star riding the second of Australia's two Olympic Test Event representatives, Stratford Novalis. Marly Calladine-Lembach and John Boyd's seven year old Ard Black Cat stallion finished on his dressage score, 46.60, 14.5 penalties ahead of their nearest rival, Sam Lyle and Classic Mischief, who gave the winners a buffer with the addition of one jumping rail and four time penalties. Yet another experienced international, Kevin McNab rode his 'Kelecyn Stiff Drinks' into third place finishing with 69 penalties. Victorian rider, Lucy Yeomans made the biggest move in the CIC Two Star with her I'm A Skite. At the wrong end of the leader board after the dressage phase at twentieth, they rocketed through the ranks, thanks to a penalty free jumping performance to finish fourth on 76.20 penalties. Dressage is important, but so is leaving the showjumping rails in their cups and that is not easy.

Enormous effort went in to the event this year as in all years, but it was touch and go, whether or not the competition would go ahead. Event Director, Gil Rolton wore out plenty of shoe leather in her efforts on behalf of the event. The CCI Four Star, the only competition in the Southern Hemisphere, is the only competition of its type held in the city. Although there are always wrinkles to iron out, it would be a great pity and loss to domestic equestrian sport if the Adelaide Four Star were not to continue.

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	Lauren.wma (733 KB)
	Interview with Lauren Balcomb winner of the CCI**
	Chris.wma (1 MB)
	Interview with Chris Burton winner of the CCI****

The Gallery

"Out in the cold"! L-R Darwin visitors, Tammy Shepherd. Sandy Enniss and Veronica Love, enjoy the chilly morning on the first day of the Australian International Three Day Event.

Family support. Four Star rider, Peter Gillis with sons, L-R Thomas and David and international eventing correspondent wife, Allison Duthie. Peter will ride his 'Mister JJ' in the dressage phase this afternoon.

Jennifer Kinsella with her 'Seamus O'Rielly' during the Dressage phase of the Bates CCI**.

Australian International Three Day Event Director, Gil Rolton looks delighted that the event is up and running.

Eleanor Osborne and 'Mighty High' earned 65.00 penalties for 21st place after the dressage phase of the Bates CCI**.

Dale Flynn and 'ESB Irish Eclipse' a ten year old by ESB Irish are in 18th place in the CCI** after the dressage phase.

Crystal Conning from Gembrook in Victoria with her typey Thoroughbred by Tong Po, 'Marcus Aurelius' during the CIC** dressage. They are in 15th place at the end of the first phase with 67.20 Penalties.

Tracey Savage and her Tim's Gambler gelding, 'Gambler Boy' are in 13th place after the CIC** dressage phase with 66.20 penalties.

John Thompson from Queensland puts 'Liberty Mac' through his paces in the CIC** dressage phase.

Beijing Team Member, Shane Rose and 'Stratford Novalis' by Ard Black Cat took the lead in the CIC** after the dressage phase with 46.60 penalties.

2008 World Cup Eventing representative, Kevin McNab from Queensland with his 'Kelecyn Stiff Drinks' during the Bates CIC** dressage phase. They head into the cross country tomorrow in fourth place with 55.60 penalties.

Emma Armstrong from NSW with her successful'Voortrekker' during the Adelaide Equity CCI**** dressage phase. They head off on the tough cross country tomorrow in 10th place with 55.20.

Edith Kane and 'ESB Irish Justice' by ESB Irish Descent are in 14th place after the dressage phase of the Bates CCI**.

Melissa van den Berge from Queensland rode Des Hughes' 'Phantom Stealth' , a gelding by Salute to earn 63.40 penalties and equal 18th place after the Bates CCI** dressage phase.

Stephen Bow from South Australia with his 'KP Avenue' during the dressage phase of the Bates CCI**.

Karen Perry and her 'BV Red Devil' are 12th after the dressage phase of the CIC** with 65.90 penalties.

Lucy Yeomans and 'I'm A Skyte' during the Bates CIC dressage phase conducted in the Atco Power Main Arena.

Robert Palm from NSW rode his Dutchman gelding, 'He's The One' for 59.8 penalties and provisional 12th place in the Adelaide Equity CCI**** after the dressage phase.

Marcia Williamson and 'Kalason' from NSW produced a pleasing test for 52.40 penalties and fourth place in the Adelaide Equity CCI**** after the dressage phase.

Previous Two Star winners, Ali Foye and 'Bondir' are placed midfield with 63.90 after the dressage phase of the CCI****.

The dressage phase of a Three Day Event is rarely so dramatic. During a test that was scoring very well, Heath Ryan's 'Mystery Whisper jumped out of the arena. The horse got one leg on the outside of the arena fence and in the confusion thought it better to go out than back in. This picture shows a rather spectacular leap back in. However, it was all to no avail as leaving the arena resulted in their elimination. An amazingly self composed Heath commented, "it will be a long drive home".

'Grace under pressure'. No one else but Heath Ryan would be able to sign and sign autographs and pose smiling for photographs with his many admirers so graciously when they had just been eliminated in the dressage phase of the CCI***, an event he won in 2006. That is why Heath is so popular and so good for the sport.

The cool Spring day saw plenty of spectators enjoy the first day of the Australian International Three Day Event.

Natalie Davies and her eleven year old, 'Chatswood Sharp Move' put their best foot forward to be equal second with 52 penalties after the dressage phase of the Adelaide Equity CCI****. The confident jumpers head into the cross country phase well placed.

Hong Kong heroine, Megan Jones has nursed Lauren Poulson's Rustic Amber gelding, 'Kirby Park Allofasudden' quietly over the last few years. In his first CCI**** the talented gelding leads the field after the dressage phase with 49.10 penalties. They were the only combination in the Four Star to break 50 penalties.

Christopher Burton has been having a lot of fun showjumping recently. However, he is now down to the serious business of Four Star Eventing. Christopher rode his own and Lou Verwey's Rubiton gelding, 'Newsprint' to earn 52 dressage penalties and head to the cross country tomorrow in equal second place.

Sam Lyle rode Sue Weeks and Sue Hemsworth's 'Interwin' for 53 penalties and fifth place after the CCI**** dressage phase. 'He's The One'

A well traveled, Emily Anker rode her own and Mary Jane Crabtree's Kenmare gelding, 'Keniski' in the dressage phase of the Adelaide Equity CCI****. Although in 15th place, they are looking forward to the jumping making some leader board changes.

A much traveled Wendy Schaeffer has two horses in the Adelaide Equity CI**** competition. She is pictured riding 'Koyuna Sun Shine' by Brilliant Invader that is in eighth place after the dressage on 54.60 penalties.

Hamish Cargill did not have the easiest dressage ride on his 'Wynella Remus'. Although down the list on 76.50 penalties, tomorrow is another day.

	Photographs Supplied By
Julie Wilson Equestrian Photography PO Box 167 Warburton Victoria 3799 Phone 03 59 662668 Mobile 0408 547 378 juliewilson@bigpond.com http://www.jwep.net

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