Attracting over 400 competitors to Victoria Park in Ballarat, 4CYTE Ballarat International Horse Trials (11-13 April) is always a popular event – and this year, it also had some warm weather!
With many competitors enjoying a run ahead of Adelaide Equestrian Festival next month (1-4 May, at its own Victoria Park), the classes were big and the competition fierce.
International class results
The Leader Equine CCI4*S went to David Middleton and 13-year-old WEC In The Money (In The Black x Balou Du Rouet). This combination was 14th after the dressage phase on 41.7, and then added just 0.8 cross country time faults to their total as the quickest on course to finish on 42.5. Last year’s Adelaide CCI5*L winner with this horse, David is no doubt hoping to emulate that success again this year.
Just 1 penalty behind them was Sophia Hill with off the track Thoroughbred Humble Glory. This combination is now back in Australia following a successful European campaign last year that saw them short-listed for the Paris Olympics and jump clear around Burghley Horse Trials. At Ballarat, Sophia and ‘Hughie’ scored 37.9 in the dressage and added 5.6 cross country time faults for a total of 43.5. Sophia also took third place with her Warmblood, Tulara Baltango, on 46.5.
The Hewitt & Whitty CCI3*S saw a win to Chris Height and nine-year-old off the track Thoroughbred Giovanni Georgio from a big field of 27 combinations. Sixth after the dressage on 34.2, they jumped clear and added just 5.2 time faults as the second quickest on course to finish on 39.4. Second place went to Will Enzinger and Epic Xtreme on 40.1, while Emma Hercules was third riding Ballahowe Wildside (40.8).
Last year’s Ballarat CCI4*S winner, Yona Lloyd, took out this year’s Vala Equestrian CCI2*S riding Icarus Lady Gwen; this combination rose from 22nd after the first phase to finish on their dressage score of 33.5. Second place went to Georgia Elias and Incline Park Remembrance on 34.2, while third went to Emily Anker and Highfields Croatia on 35.6.
EA national class results
Fitton HorseInsure CCN1*S: Will Enzinger and Bee Bee Deeva / Kiera McNally and Yoicks Vegas (both 29.8)
McEvoy Mitchell Racing CCN1*S (OTT): Imogen Bergin and Prince Alfred (OTT) (28.3)
Katharyn O’Driscoll Memorial EvA95A (Open/Young Rider): Keely Hutchinson (YR) and Exmoor Celtic Snow (22.7)
SG Conveyancing EvA95B (Open/POP): Edith Kane and APH Alpine (26.3)
Elite Wood Pellets EvA95C (OTT): Grace Imrie and Lady Fiorente (OTT) (29.3)
Nevetts Lawyers EvA80A (Open): Tahlia Pursell and Yalambi’s Oscar De La Renta (26.3)
Betavets EvA80B (Open/POP): Sophia Hill and JenJan Royale (25) / Carole Benassy and Innisfree Beaujolais (POP) (27.5)
Horse Paradise EvA80C (OTT): Leah Rodwell and Thrum (OTT) (31.3)
