Olivia Barton and Hollyander HG lead the CCI5*L. Image: Michelle Terlato Photography.

Five-star debutants Olivia Barton & Hollyander HG lead Adelaide CCI5*L

Inside Adelaide | Presented by RB Sellars

By Equestrian Life

Following the morning’s CCI3*L, it was time for the class everyone had been waiting for at Adelaide Equestrian Festival on RB Sellars Cross Country Day: the Adelaide International CCI5*L.

Following yesterday’s dressage phase, it was New Zealand’s Diane Gilder and rising 20-year-old Your Attorney who led the field heading into the cross country – with 31.5 the score to beat.

The field of eleven were set out at six-minute intervals for the 6327m course, and with 45 jumping efforts and a time of 11 minutes and 6 seconds to come in under, the stage was set for a thrilling event. A unique course to ride, combinations are rarely exposed to such an atmosphere – particularly here in Australia.

Former Adelaide winner David Middleton was the first out of the start box with WEC In The Money, going clear with 8.8 time faults; he was the quickest on course until 24-year-old Olivia ‘Golly’ Barton and Hollyander HG came through clear and under time. They were the only combination to do so, and as such finished the day on their dressage score of 36.2 and in the lead.

Finishing in second place were dressage leaders Diane Gilder and Your Attorney, adding just 14.8 time faults to their dressage score to carry 46.3 penalties over into tomorrow’s show jumping.

Dave Middleton and 12-year-old WEC In The Money moved up to third place on 47.8 after their terrific pathfinding round, and then it was New Zealand’s Donna Edwards-Smith and 15-year-old NZ Thoroughbred DSE Mendoza in fourth on 51.3 after collecting 11.2 time faults.

Kirilee Hosier was next on 17-year-old gelding AEA Flynn, adding 15.6 time faults to their dressage score to finish on 53.9, and then 25-year-old Charlotte Phillips of New Zealand was sixth with 18-year-old Just De Manzana on 57.9.

Andrew Cooper and Hey Arnold, David Middleton and WEC In The Breeze, Megan Jones and Toulando, and Gordon Bishop on Advantage Hill all unfortunately picked up 20 jump faults each today, but nevertheless completed the challenging five-star course.

Sam Woods and Cage Fighter were unfortunately eliminated at a tricky apex combination towards the end of the course, and it was a relief to see horse and rider both walking home unharmed following the fall. Sam is the current CCI3*L leader with SS Eight Count.

Six years to five-star

Nervous but excited heading into her first five-star, Golly and 10-year-old Holly made the course look easy.

By Higgins out of an imported mare and with both jumping and dressage lines, Holly is not a “conventional eventer” according to Olivia – but she’s certainly effective. Bred and owned by Bob and Ela Weight, she was broken in by Deon Stokes and came to a then-18-year-old Olivia as a four-year-old. Six years later, here they are leading after cross country day in their first five-star at Adelaide.

“As a four-year-old, Holly was not the most straightforward horse, she was quite opinionated. I’ve always loved her, and we’ve just really gotten along. While she’s not the most conventional eventer, she’s just got a heart of gold and always tries. So that’s what I love about her.”

Results from the CCI5*L can be found here.

Published 20 April 2024.

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