Emma Cumming and Parkiarrup Bundlee in CCI2 at Alcoa International Horse Trials 2021. © Eric Lloyd Photography
After sadly missing the 2020 event due to COVID-19, the Nutrien Ag Solutions Alcoa International Horse Trials returned to the beautiful farmlands owned by Alcoa at the back of Fairbridge Village in Pinjarra on 18 and 19 September 2021.
All riders, supporters and sponsors were excited to be back amongst the action and the event did not disappoint.
The event is renowned for being one of the West Australian riders’ favourite events and it showed this year with record entries with more than 300 horses entered!
It is also one of WA’s premier FEI events and given the COVID-19 situation was only one of a handful number of FEI events that was held in 2021. The event also saw over 200 horses start in the three lowest grades making it clear that it is an important event on non-FEI riders’ calendars too!
This year the event welcomed Nutrien Ag Solutions as its new naming sponsor as part of a 3 year agreement. The organising committee is so grateful for this support.
Sandee Llewellyn, Nutrien Ag Solutions HR Manager West Region said “This is the first year Nutrien Ag Solutions has sponsored the event. Many of our customers and colleagues are involved at some level with the sport of equestrian so it’s a great opportunity to support the equine community across WA.”
The border restrictions caused a few hurdles for the event and some last minute change of officials. The committee is incredibly grateful to:
· Polly Huntington for moving from FEI Technical Delegate to Chair of the Ground Jury for 3* and 4*
· Tracey Leigh from South Australia for agreeing to come across with a few weeks’ notice to be the Technical Delegate for the 3* and 4*
· Sylvia Roberts from Queensland who kindly stepped in a Course Designer for the 3* and 4*.
Put simply without the flexibility and outcome focused approach of these three amazing women the event could not have run to FEI 4*.
The committee also faced challenges of getting the venue back in tip top shape after the two year break, but with well over 500 hours of volunteer work put in, the venue and courses were back to the international standard that riders, sponsors and spectators have come to expect from the event.
Sarah Micallef riding Silver Promise in the CCN1 class. © Chris Lever photography
The event welcomed a new senior Course Designer, Sylvia Roberts, who made changes to the tracks in the CCI3*-S and CCI4*-S and worked hand in hand with Chris Edwards on the CCI2*-S. This resulted in the FEI riders tackling an entirely new cross-country course. Chris Edwards was again responsible for designing and building the 80cm through to and including the CCN1*-S with some exciting new lines. The course even had a New Zealand feel to it with Chris Lever kindly designing and building some amazing new cross country fences for all grades, meaning every rider got to experience a new and updated track.
With the end of the season looming, and only one more FEI event on the WA calendar, the new WA Farm Shop FEI Grand Slam series was also in play over the weekend. All of our FEI riders from CCN1* – CCI4* were eligible to collect valuable points, and the results have seen lots of movement across all grades which is sure to lead to an exciting finale in a few weeks’ time. The event again saw our great lower level events:
· Off the Track WA sponsored an EvA80 and EvA95 classes which were made up entirely of off the track horses! There were 53 starters in the classes. Thank you to Off the Track WA for supporting this initiative.
· EquineWorld again sponsored an Amateur EvA80 class. This class was introduced to support and encourage those avid event riders who love the sport, love their horses and enjoy spending the weekend with good friends. They may be hard core eventers who enter every event of the year, or returning to the sport after having children or could even be first time eventers. Either way, they are incredibly important and valued.
· A Combined Training 60cm class was offered, which was kindly sponsored by Shannan Whitby Art. The class was introduced in 2019 given the popularity of the event with lower level riders who didn’t feel their horses were ready for an EvA80 class but desperately wanted to ride at the event.
Class highlights
The Mike Caplehorn Memorial CCI4*-S class, sponsored by Broome International Airport, was won by Sonja Johnson aboard her Tokyo team reserve horse “Misty Isle Valentino”. The pair finished 3rd at the event in 2019. Sonja and ‘Fred’ as he is known at home have spent a significant amount of time on the east coast this year campaigning for Tokyo, so it was great to see them both home and having a successful weekend. Michael Dagostino aboard his 5 tar mount Kinnordy Gatow took out 2nd place, and they were closely followed by Kenya Wilson on Sandro Salute who rounded out the top 3.
Sonja Johnson and Misty Isle Valentino won the CCI4*-S. © Chris Lever photography
The winner of the Hi Form and Equine Advantage CCI3*-S was Katherine Joyce riding her stunning mount “The Diamond Thief”, being the only combination to finish on their dressage score it was a very well deserved win. Sonja Johnson continued her successful weekend with 2nd place on her up and coming young horse “Parkiarrup Showtime” and committee member Tessa Sharman took out 3rd place on her mount “Kings Basil Brush”.
The Leader Equine CCI2*-S was won by Tegan Cook and “Moet” who are having a fabulous year together, an exciting combination for the future. A new face to WA eventing Katlyn Fletcher, took out 2nd place on her lovely mare “Pumpkin”, a great follow up event off the back of a win at the 3DE a few weeks ago. This result also saw Pumpkin crowned the winner of the highest placed mare in the FEI classes, a new award kindly sponsored by long term event supporter Geraldine Ormonde. The top three was rounded out with Will Baxter riding another beautiful mare, “KDale Miss Emma”, another exciting combination with a bright future ahead.
The winner of the Anitone highest placed Junior was a very excited Chloe Gee on “Torridon Limited Edition”, who took home a beautiful trophy rug kindly supplied by Leader Equine and 10L of Anitone.
Kate Smith saw a return to form taking out the win in the CCN1*-S, sponsored by Equestrian in the Park, riding her long term mount “Star of Kingdom”. While the Junior CCN1*, sponsored by CIVMEC was won by Ruby Rae riding the familiar, “Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison”, a horse that was ridden to 5* level by Sonja Johnson and in fact won this class in 2019 with Tara Harding.
The EvA classes were all hotly contested with many great up and coming horses and riders to watch out for.
Source: Alcoa International Horse Trials media release, edited by Equestrian Life.
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