Delightful dressage at Wallaby Hill International 3DE

Shane Rose and Easy Turn lead the Gow-Gates Group CCI4*-L dressage

© Stephen Mowbray

By Equestrian Life

What a day at Wallaby Hill International 3DE! Outstanding dressage tests performed in picture perfect conditions have set the scene for a thrilling weekend of equestrian sport.

All eyes were on the Gow-Gates Group CCI4*-L class, and as photographer and event reporter Stephen Mowbray enthuses, “What a treat we were in for! At the end of the class there’s a tight and talented leaderboard, multiple Olympians amongst the top five so we’re in for a wonderful weekend as we progress to the Cross Country tomorrow around a strong Mike Etherington-Smith track and on Sunday, our riders will face a challenging John Vallance show jumping course. Who will come out on top? Whoever it is, they certainly would have earned it!”

Shane Rose and Easy Turn are at the top of the leaderboard on a commanding score of 25.00 penalties, with Stuart Tinney and Celebration in second place on 27.30 penalties. Megan Jones and Kirby Park Impress hold third place with 28.90 penalties, while Stuart Tinney is in 4th place with his second horse Leporis on 29.00 ahead of 5th placed Heath Ryan and Bronze Boy R on 30.20 penalties. Impressive scores indeed!

Megan Jones and Kirby Park Impress place third after the dressage in the Gow-Gates Group CCI4*-L dressage

© Stephen Mowbray

The Wallaby Hill CCI4*-S class saw polished performances from some of the most experienced and successful eventing combinations in Australia. Christine Bates and Adelaide Hill have delighted eventing enthusiasts for over a decade; now 18, the talented gelding danced his way into 1st place with 26.30 penalties, bringing tears of joy to those watching on. Shane Rose is in second place with another of Australian eventing’s great horses, Virgil, scoring 27.30 penalties while Shenae Lowings is in third with Bold Venture. Katie Taliana and Trevalgar II, recent winners of the CCI4*-S at Albury International Horse Trials are in 4th on 30.80 penalties while Annabel Cargill heads into the cross country phase in 5th place riding Quaprice.

Christine Bates and Adelaide Hill were outstanding in the Wallaby Hill CCI4*-S class

© Stephen Mowbray

In the OTTO Sport Australia CCI3*-L class, Andrew Barnett holds an impressive lead after scoring 24.80 penalties with Go Tosca. Gemma Tinney and Dalenna Daydream are in second place on 30.90 penalties ahead of third placed Hamish Cargill and French Evening on 32.90. Shane Rose and ‘Stakkino are in fourth place on 34.40 penalties, with wife Niki Rose hot on his heels with Dreamcatcher on 35.10 penalties.