Hosting the final international event on the Victorian calendar heading into Melbourne International Three-Day Event, Ballarat International Horse Trials took place over the weekend and delivered three days of competition – and four seasons of weather throughout.
Riders experienced both sunshine and the cold snaps Ballarat is known for, as well as battling an intense downpour on Sunday morning during the CCN1* cross country and CCI2*S show jumping. As one rider remarked, “A good day not to wear striped underwear!”
Edward Darby and Charismatic Day claim CCI2*S
The CCI2*S leaderboard saw huge shuffles throughout each phase, with the show jumping course especially influential.
From 35 starters, Edward Darby and Charismatic Day posted one of only two rounds clear of both jump and time penalties in the show jumping, with Natasha Moody and Milla de CaDi being the other.
A similar trend followed suit in the cross country, with just three riders posting a double clear. These somewhat elusive zero penalty rounds rocketed young riders Chloe Daun (PEC Nora The Explorer) and Alice Darby (Hermione Day) from 28th and 32nd, respectively, to fifth and sixth place in the final order – an enormous climb up the ranks and proving again the value of finishing on one’s dressage score.
Edward Darby and Charismatic Day took top honours, adding only 0.4 cross country time penalties to their dressage score throughout the weekend to finish on 30. Edward and ‘Charlie’ are in great form at this point in the season, adding the win to their second place at Wandin International Horse Trials in March.
Edward found the rain helpful, for the cross country at least: “The rain was absolutely perfect for the going, I think it really improved it. I’m very pleased with Charlie, he’s really starting to show his abilities in the jumping phases.”
Yona Lloyd and Ballahowe Erised finished in second place, 5.6 penalties behind Edward on 35.6, with Christopher Height and Royale Remington following closely to claim third place (38.3)
Shashank Singh Kataria makes a winning return from injury
The CCI3*S saw a triumphant return of Shashank Singh Kataria, back out competing after sustaining a broken collarbone at Wandin International Horse Trials in the warm up.
“It was really good to be back out after my injury,” said Shashank, adding that although he felt that he and Icaro B’s best dressage was in the warm up, the jumping phases went to plan.
“He was fantastic across both jumping phases, even though the weather was not on our side!” laughed Shashank. With the weather and ground again influential across the country, Sha and Icaro posted the fastest run of the class to claim the win, adding just 3.6 time penalties to their dressage score to finish on 36.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better first run back!”
Sophia Hill was fresh off the plane from the USA and off to Ballarat, following her incredible run at Kentucky CCI5* the previous weekend, where she took tenth place aboard Humble Glory.
A hectic few weeks meant her Ballarat CCI3*S ride, Bluebell Mystery, had an unusual prep for Ballarat. “He had a week off while I competed at Adelaide, and then a week of lungeing and hill fitness work with my groom, Bianca, while I was at Kentucky,” explains Sophia. But this format of preparation clearly worked well, with Sophia saying he gave her “a solid performance and a fantastic ride cross country” where they were the second fastest round, behind Shashank.
Remarkably, Bluebell Mystery only started eventing 18 months ago. “It’s exciting to see him starting to become established at the CCI3* level,” said Sophia. The combination placed second on 54.2.
Samantha Cesnik claimed the final podium place for third (56.8), with her Graftango back out on cross country for the first time since returning from their European campaign last year.
“It was lovely to have my best horse out again for a confidence and obedience building run… in what turned out to be trying weather conditions!” said Sam. “The committee at Ballarat run such a great show and as usual the show went on brilliantly.”
Sam will now run at Quirindi CCI with Graftango and Friends of Woady Yaloak Horse Trials, also with her other mare Graftendro, in the lead up to Melbourne International Three-Day Event.
Lamoza Velisha and Call Me Cooley take out CCI4*S
The CCI4*S class hosted a decent start list of 12 combinations, with three of those combinations making their CCI4* debut. Lamoza Velisha doubled her debut, with horses Call Me Cooley and Ophelie Van Prinseveld, following their tenth and second placings, respectively, in the CCI3*L at Adelaide Equestrian Festival.
“Call Me Cooley was a gentleman all weekend; he looked after me and I couldn’t have had a better partner for my CCI4* debut,” said Lamoza. “He was a little fresh in the weather for his dressage, but show jumped a super round.”
Whilst there were no double clear rounds in the CCI4* showjumping, Lamoza and ‘Pash’ as he is known, were the closest to it, adding just 0.4 of a time penalty to their score, and shooting into the lead ahead of cross country.
“We actually weren’t going to go around until the last minute, so we just went out with no expectations with the plan to take it slow. I didn’t give him the best ride at times, but he jumped amazing! To win was something else, especially for our first one.” The duo won on a score of 56.9.
Lamoza credits her ability to complete the course to her coach, Yona Lloyd: “He was there every step of the way, his guidance and support was amazing.”
Mackenzie Walch and Eliva Corduroy were runners up (65.6) at their first international run after a big break, jumping clear in both phases and adding only time penalties to their fifth place dressage score.
“It’s so nice to have him back out again. He felt fantastic and really rose to the occasion, I was really happy with how the weekend came together,” said Mackenzie.
David Middleton and WEC In The Breeze rounded out the top three (70.9).
Melbourne International Three-Day Event is on the horizon for many riders, with final runs and preparations planned towards the premier and final event on this season’s calendar.
Full results from Ballarat International Horse Trials can be found via Event Secretary.
