Fran Cleland
International placings roll in for Aussie riders at large
THERE seems to be nearly as many Australian riders competing overseas as there are in Australia.
Bill Levett riding Sligo Candy Cane finished fifth the CCI4*-L at Millstreet International Horse Trials in Ireland.
Clayton Fredericks and FE Coldplay finished in ninth place, while Hazel Shannon and Willinga Park Clifford were 13th.
Kevin McNab rode two horses at Millstreet with Willunga in 16th position in the CCI4*-L, and in the CCI4*-S Miss Pepperpot finished 12th.
In Canada the four-person showjumping team of Katie Laurie, James Arkins, Matt Williams and Rowan Willis tackled the Peter Holmes-designed course finished with a final score of 22 faults, earning a team bronze medal.
Ireland won with five penalties, with Mexico finishing second on 13 faults.
In the USA, the showjumpers were again busy, with three Australian riders competing at Tryon International Equestrian Centre in the CSI3* Saturday Night Lights event.
Lauren Balcomb and Verdini d'Houtveld Z finished second in the CSI3* 1.40m Two Phase and eighth in the CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix.
David Cameron and Alan 111 Z finished second in the CSI3* 1.45m Two Phase and fourth in the CSI3* 1.45m Speed Stake.
Scott Keach and Fedor finished seventh in the CSI3* 1.40m Two Phase, seventh in the CSI3* 1.45m Speed Stake riding Noble de la Chapelle and seventh riding Wild Thing in the CSI3* 1.45m Two Phase.
The dressage riders have been busy in Europe.
In Germany, Kristy Oatley made a strong play for a position on the World Championship team winning the Grand Prix with 71 per cent and the Grand Prix Freestyle with 79.80 per cent riding Du Soleil.
She has partnered the horse for seven years and competed at the World Championship at Tyron in 2018 and the Olympic Games in 2016.
In Italy, Simone Pearce rode her new mount Fiderdance to win in the CDI3* Grand Prix at Ornago (ITA) with a score of 70.587 per cent .
“It’s early days and we have so much to learn and improve but I’m super proud that Mr Fidel has managed to get his two international qualification scores to be able considered for the Aussie team at Weg and we have only known each other three weeks,” Pearce said.
Warwick McLean won the CDI3* Grand Prix Special at Olomouc in the Czech Republic riding Henrix 11 with 69.298 per cent.
Lyndal Oatley and Eros competed in the CDI3* Grand Prix Special at Compiègne, France, scoring 70.681 per cent and finishing in seventh place. Lyndal also rode Elvive in the CSIO5* Grand Prix, finishing 14th.
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