David Middleton and WEC In The Money. Image: Michelle Terlato Photography.

David Middleton on the money in Adelaide CCI5*L

Inside Adelaide | Presented by RB Sellars

By Equestrian Life

David Middleton has won the Adelaide International CCI5*L with WEC In The Money after producing the only clear show jumping round this afternoon at Victoria Park.

The win comes 24 years after David’s last five-star victory here in Adelaide, having won in 2000 aboard Thoroughbred Willowbank Jack.

“You aways dream about it, but in reality it rarely happens. It couldn’t have been a better ending to the weekend,” said David following the win.

“I’m ecstatic, it’s one of those dream things. I’ll remember this forever; I’ve been relying on the last [Adelaide win] for a long time!” he continued, adding with a laugh: “I’m very excited to actually win some money, because usually I’m totally poor!"

Champagne galore on the podium! Image: Michelle Terlato Photography.

Speaking about his 8.8 time faults on yesterday’s cross country – where he was still the second quickest on course – he laughed and said: “Quite a bit of that time came from galloping past jump eight… I thought I might have blown it!

“Adelaide is an amazing event and one of the reasons we come here is because of the crowd and all the support.”

David, who turns 51 next week, said he “learnt a hell of a lot" this weekend. “Sometimes it feels like you aren’t going anywhere and then suddenly you have a fancy rug!”

The win was all the more sweet given David bred WEC In The Money. A 12-year-old gelding, he is by In The Black out of Roxie – who in turn is by top international show jumping sire Balou Du Rouet.

Both WEC In The Money and David’s other ride, WEC In The Breeze (a full sibling to WEC In The Money), were groomed all week by his daughter, Emma.

Challenging course

It was certainly a challenging jumping course that caused plenty of issues for virtually everyone this afternoon except David, who also had the second-best round today with eighth-placed WEC In The Breeze who had just the one rail down.

Twenty-four-year-old Olivia Barton was the overnight leader with Hollyander HG, but unfortunately had four rails and 1.2 time faults to finish in second place on 53.4. It was Olivia’s first ever five-star, and what an amazing effort being the only combination to go clear and under time on yesterday’s cross country.

Third place went to NZ’s Donna Edwards-Smith and DSE Mendoza on 63.3, having had three rails down.

Kirilee Hosier was fourth on AEA Flynn with 73.9 (20 jump faults), followed by Andrew Cooper and Hey Arnold on 74.9 (12 jump faults); NZ’s Charlotte Edwards riding Just De Manzana on 77.9 (20 jump faults) in her first five star; NZ’s Diane Gilder and Your Attorney on 92.7 (40 jump faults, 6.4 time faults), and then David Middelton and WEC In The Breeze on 93.3 (4 jump faults).

This afternoon’s show jumping took place under perfect weather conditions and in front of a packed grandstand of spectators. What a fabulous event and thrilling right until the end!

Full results from the CCI5*L can be found here.

Shenae Lowings and Bold Venture won the CCI4*S, while Olivia Barton and APH Sodoku won the CCI3*L.

Published 21 April 2024.

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