It was a warm weekend in Victoria for the Hanson Tonimbuk International Horse Trials, where combinations were in action across both FEI and EA classes.
In the headline VRW Civil CCI4*S, it was the in-form partnership of Sam Jeffree and Santoro who claimed the win – finishing just 0.8 penalties ahead of last year winners, David Middleton and mare WEC In The Breeze.
These two combinations were neck-and-neck in the dressage phase on a score of 34.3, before having two rails apiece in the jumping. Sam and Santoro collected 12.8 cross country time faults, while David and WEC In The Breeze collected 2.8 time faults in the jumping and 10.8 time faults on cross country where they were the quickest round. With scores of 55.1 and 55.9 respectively, it certainly came down to the wire and David’s jumping time faults ultimately proved costly.
Sam also finished third with Wimborne Conjuror on 57.3.
Sam and 12-year-old Santoro, by Starnberg out of a Regardez Moi mare and bred by Ryan’s Horses, were the 2024 Sydney CCI4*S winners and are clearly in great form.
Heath Ryan commented on the horse’s history in the March edition of Ryan’s Rave:
“Santoro was bought at the Auction of the Stars as a yearling by Sharyn Wyatt. Sharyn had the horse in training with Anthony Bartlett who said that Santoro was a Ferrari. Sharyn had replied that she didn’t want a Ferrari but wanted a nice dressage horse that could also take part in trail riding. So, after a moment or two Sharyn decided to sell Santoro. There are not many Starnbergs out there but the ones that are, are good ones!”
The CCI4*S field did have to navigate the hottest part of cross country day, no doubt contributing to time penalties on a course that is always tight for time. The start box was also in a new position this year, meaning combinations headed straight out into the treed sections of the course. Despite the warm, dry weather the ground was good.
Edward Darby wins the CCI3*S with Dawn Of The Day
Edward Darby and 14-year-old mare Dawn Of The Day, owned by Julia Gibson, were the Horseland CCI3*S winners, jumping clear and producing the quickest cross country rounds (5.2 time penalties) to secure victory on a total of 36.5.
In December, Edward and Dawn Of The Day were second in the CCI3*S at Camperdown, where Edward won the class on his gelding Somerset Day.
Molly Barry and her OTT Impulsive Ways placed second at Tonimbuk on 51.4, with Tahlia Pursell and Astro NZPH third on 52.2.
The CCI3*S cross country course was tough, with the bank bounce fence catching a few out, along with the big corner apex fence at the top of the hill.
A CCI2*S win for Lamoza Velisha aboard Call Me Cooley
In the Charlie’s Stockfeed CCI2*S, Lamoza Velisha aboard 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Call Me Cooley jumped clear and were the only combination under time on cross country to finish on their dressage score of 31.3. This combination has also been in form, with 2024 FEI-level successes including CCI2*S wins at Albury and Camden, and a third place finish in the CCI2*L at Sydney.
OTT Koko Opapa placed second for Nicolette Rippon, adding just 6.4 cross country time penalties to their dressage score to finish on 36.6. In third place was Yona Lloyd and Mischief Managed To Day on 37.4, winning on a countback from Chris Height and Giovanni Georgio.
FEI results from Tonimbuk International Horse Trials can be found here.
EA results from Tonimbuk International Horse Trials can be found here.
