Main image: David Middleton and WEC In The Breeze were second in the CCI4*S. Image by Derek O’Leary.
The eventing action has continued at Werribee Park over the weekend, with the EV Spring Horse Trials featuring a full suite of classes up to CCI4*S level.
The headline CCI4* class went to none other than this year’s Adelaide five-star winners, David Middleton and 13-year-old WEC In The Money (In The Black x Balou Du Rouet). The pair placed sixth in the dressage on 37.9, before going clear and under time in both jumping phases. David also placed second with his 12-year-old mare, WEC In The Breeze (In The Black x Balou Du Rouet), who picked up 10 time faults on cross country to finish on 47.
Blue-blood dressage and jumping lines
Both of David’s horses are homebreds with the same parentage that features blue-blood dressage and jumping lines. Their sire, In The Black, is David’s homebred by Dutch dressage stallion Olympic Ferro – and he also has a very strong jumping pedigree that includes names such as Le Mexico and Farn. In The Black’s dam was a lovely moving Thoroughbred by Sumayr, with a very good jumping technique. WEC In The Breeze and WEC In The Money are both out of a mare named Roxie, who is by famed jumping stallion Balou du Rouet.
Yona Lloyd and rising 14-year-old gelding Ballahowe Ayurvedic (Alessandro x Northern Fortuna) placed third on 47.1 in the CCI4*S, while Sam Jeffree and Wimborne Conjuror (Contenda) were fourth on 59.4.
David Middleton and WEC In The Money won the CCI4*S. Image by Derek O’Leary.
Sam Jeffree & Tulara Baltango win CCI3*S
Sam Jeffree won the CCI3* with rising nine-year-old Tulara Baltango (Tulara Balouch) on 33, who he’s been riding for Sophia Hill whilst she’s been away competing in the UK with Humble Glory and Seattle Park.
Sophia completed Burghley Horse Trials over the weekend with Humble Glory, and is now headed back to Australia.
Second in the CCI3*S went to Shashank Singh Kataria and Icaro LB (Aventyno) on 33.8, while Rachelle Verma and Sandhills Crystella finished third on 42.9.
Another win for Amy Gotts-Wheeler & Sharvalley Wild Thing
In the CCI2*S, Amy Gotts-Wheeler continued her success from Spring Horse Trials and claimed another win with Sharvalley Wild Thing. The pair bettered their 29.6 from last start to finish on 26.9, ahead of Emma Hercules and Ballahowe Wildside (HB Brigadier x Ascot Dancer) on 31.8, and vet Rohan Luxmoore with LH Valentino on 36.4.
