There are two Kiwis competing at Adelaide this year; Andy Daines and Samantha Felton. While the number of entries are not high, there's some classy competitors
Although there are, disappointingly, just nine competing in the four-star class at Adelaide this year, more than 100 entries have been received overall.
Rio team bronze medal-winners Stuart Tinney and Shane Rose are among the line-up for the four-star, and Andy Daines will fly the flag for New Zealand, riding Spring Panorama. It’s Andy’s first trip to compete across the Tasman. At least two other New Zealanders were hoping to be there, but horse injuries have ruled that out. Both Virginia Thompson and Katharine Van Tuyl hope to get there next time!
Andrew Daines & Spring Panorama at a recent outing (Image: Take the Moment)
As well as Andy, the full list of entries are Andrew Cooper (Evergem Perfection), Wilhelm Enzinger (Britannica MVNZ and Wenlock Aquifer), Emily Gray (Jocular Vision), Tegan Lush (Tempus Fugit), Rohan Luxmoore (Bells n Whistles), Shane Rose (Glenorchy South Park), Hazel Shannon (Clifford) and Stuart Tinney (War Hawk). Andy won’t be the only Kiwi in the field, however, as both War Hawk and Britannica are NZ-bred.
Fellow Kiwi Sam Felton will ride in the new class, the RM Williams CIC3*, with Ricker Ridge Pico Boo and Ricker Ridge Escada, in a star-studded field. She will be up against Britain’s Oliver Townend, current Event Rider Masters series winner, and two Australian Olympians: 2008 silver medallist Megan Jones and Wendy Schaeffer, 1996 gold medallist. Wendy is now based in the UK, but is flying back to Adelaide to compete.
Sam has been in Australia for the last few weeks and recently competed at Goulborne CIC, where she and Pico Boo were third.
Sam Felton and Ricker Ridge Pico Boo at Kihikihi (Image: Libby Law)
Other entries in the three-star include Emily Anker on Glenwood Park Cooper Street, Tim Boland on GV Billy Elliot, Sarah Clark on Kirby Park Irish Consort, Megan Jones on Kirby Park Impress and Kirby Park Invader, Wendy Schaeffer-MacDonald on Sun Showers, and Oliver Townend riding Tim Boland’s horse Napoleon.
Oliver Townend on Cillnabradden Evo (Image: Libby Law)
There are 17 entries in the Bates Saddles CCI2* Young Rider Championships, the largest number in the event’s history.
Aus3DE Event Director Gillian Rolton said it is fantastic to see such a high calibre of riders competing. “The quality of entries across all the classes is exceptionally high. We are also very pleased to see so many entries in the Bates Saddles CCI2* Young Rider Championships. These athletes are our next Olympians, so it’s important for events such as the Aus3DE to start them on their journey for Tokyo and beyond.”
New Zealander Laura Wallace will ride Van Heck in the CCI2* class. Laura is based in Australia and recently purchased Van Heck from New Zealand. Rachel Cave produced the horse, finishing third in the CIC2* at Puhinui in March.
Rachel Cave and Van Heck
Gillian says that there will be a large number of spectators from across South Australia, Australia and overseas. There are quite a few New Zealanders we know who will be making the trip over to enjoy all the equestrian entertainment, the lovely city of Adelaide, not to mention the close-by wine region.
In addition to four action-packed days of eventing, the 2016 Aus3DE has a full list of programmed events, including the debut of the Barrister’s Block Wines Twilight Jumping with the Stars which features a performance by NZ ‘Free Rider’ Alycia Burton. There is also the finale of the Equestrian Australia Dual Crown in Eventing and Jumping, and a great show jumping competition, the Thomas Foods International World Cup Jumping Qualifier. The Masterclasses with Christopher Bartle will surely be popular and there are Celebrity Course Walks and a huge shopping village.
The event runs from Thursday November 3 to Sunday November 6. For more information visit www.australian3de.com.au.
