The weather gods must prefer horses to football players, because the forecast is pleasant and dry for the next few days as Adelaide Equestrian Festival gets underway – a welcome change to conditions faced by participants and spectators during the AFL’s Gather Round in Adelaide last week.
Competition began this morning, with the Racing SA CCI3*L entrants heading down the centreline for dressage.
The 34-strong field is led by 24-year-old Charlotte Lalak and 16-year-old Fairbanks Casino (Fairbanks Catargo x Le Primeur), whose score of 25.4 is the benchmark to beat.
Tahlia Pursell and Astro NZPH, part of Australia’s Oceania Championship Under-25 team, are in second place on 28.8. Fellow team member Georgia Elias and Silverwoods Aussie Pride sit third on 29.4.
Charlotte Lalak’s Oceania Championship mount, Along Comes Lucy, is placed tenth on 33.2.
Australia currently leads the Oceania Championship Under-25 ahead of New Zealand.
Mackenzie Marlo and CHS Diplomat are fourth in the CCI3*L on 31.3, while Hannah Klep rounds out the top five with Kenlock Sandro Sky on 31.5.
The highest-placed off-the-track Thoroughbred following the dressage phase is Dreamcatcher, ridden by Olivia Shore, with the pair sitting ninth on 33.0.
Five-star horses trot up
The TRM First Horse Inspection for the Adelaide International CCI5*L horses took place this afternoon at 3pm in front of the Victoria Park grandstand, with all 14 passing. Best dressed awards will be announced on Sunday.
Friday’s action
Competition begins at 9am ACST with the Horseland CCI4*S dressage, and then the Adelaide International CCI5*L competition is due to start at 1pm ACST.
In the CCI4*S, Oceania Championship contenders will be hoping to get their respective Senior teams off to a strong start in the trans-Tasman battle between Australia and New Zealand.
View the Australian teams here.
