Australian International 3 Day Event

Kirsty Withers is a popular girl at Adelaide, as she is the organiser of the much anticipated Trot Up Ball. However, she still had time to compete in the Bates Australia CIC** and is pictured riding her 'Exmoor Truffles' in the showjumping phase. They finished in 22nd place.

South Australian, Fiona Guthrie finished 14th and just out of the placings riding her 'Crockadoo' in the Bates CIC**.

Seventeen year old Victorian, Andrew Heseltine really made an impressive Adelaide debut. riding his 'Warrego Windchester'. The son of once very successful Showjumping rider, Norm Heseltine moved from 24th place after the dressage to first place at the end of the CIC** competition. His clear jumping round was one of only two in the class.

Eight jumping penalties saw Claudia Graham and 'Park Street Vision' slip from second to third place in the Bates CIC** competition.

The importance of a good stadium jumper was demonstrated today. Leading the field from the outset, two fences down saw Shane Rose and 'Koko Black' finish the CIC** in second place.

Shane Rose surrounded by some of his many admirers.

Former Adelaide Two Star winner, Niki Chapman jumped a super clear with the Aldridge family's, 'Milford Monarch' to finish the CCI** off well. They moved, always in the right direction from 25th after the dressage to 16th to eventual 12 place.

New Zealander, Diane Gilder rode her Blokes Mate Thoroughbred gelding, 'Foreal' to finish the Broome International Airport CCI** in 17th place

The always elegant Christopher Burton rode Alex Townsend's Carbine gelding, 'Jaybee Calypso' to finish the Broome International Airport CCI** in 13th place.

Paula Caplethorn jumped a super clear round riding her 'BML Diplomat' to take ninth place, (up from 21st after the dressage) in the CCI** competition with 64.50.

NSW rider, Hamish Cargill added just four penalties in the final phase riding his 'Powderhound' to take sixth place in the Broome International Airport CCI** with 57.30. Hamish also took seventh place with 'Agent Arthur'

A super clear round saw NSW rider and trainer Craig Barrett move into fourth place in the CCI** competition riding the Osborne's promising Staccato mare, 'Sandhills Brillaire' with a final score of 52.00.

There is no doubting Christine Bates' courage or indeed talent. After breaking her wrist yesterday riding her second CCI** horse, Christine jumped an heroic four penalty round aboard Geraldine Okeden's 'Church Hill' to take fifth place with 54.40.

Anxious owner and Master Farrier, John Pittard demonstrates the ringside agony at Adelaide. John and Jane Pittard's, 'Pluto Mio' took second place in the CCI** competition.

Emma Scott and her 'Jenbern Monyana' jumped an impressive four penalty round to move from second to first place in the Broome International Airport CCI** with a final score of 50.

Victorian, Katja Weiman led from the outset with John and Jane Pittard's impressive Daley K gelding, 'Pluto Mio'. Sadly the very last fence in the final phase robed them of victory. With a total of eight jumping penalties to add they took second place in the Broome International Airport CCI**. with 50.40.

Beijing Silver Team Medallist, Clayton Fredericks was reunited with his Team members at Adelaide. Clayton conducted a popular cross country course walk yesterday and today explained the jumping course to the enthusiastic (and surprisingly large, given the heat) crowd on the final day of the Australian International Three Day Event. Clayton is pictured discussing the course with popular "voice of the event", Seumas Marwood.

Tallara Barwick's 'Chief Justice' is clearly showing no ill effects from his altercation with the Normandy Bank yesterday. They jumped a good six penalty round (how could he touch a rail?) to come home in 14th place.

Emma Mason did not have the best of rounds with her typey 'F1 Pharinelli' to come home 15th in the Equestrian Australia CCI****.

Marcia Williamson from the Hunter Valley in NSW jumped a good eight penalty round aboard her wonderful, 17 year old 'Kalason' by Kala Dancer, to finish the Australian International Three Day Event in eleventh place. Due to another day around 39 C , summer uniform was allowed in all sections.

Wendy Schaeffer so long in winning mode had to contend with a "weekend horribilus". Wendy is pictured with her experienced Four Star horse, 'Koyuna Sun Magic' that finished the CCI**** in 12th place. Wendy will of course re group and resume her winning ways. Also she must take great heart in the support of her peers who awarded her the 2009 Anna Savage Memorial Award for Sportsmanship.

Young Victorian combination, Adam Benson and 'Enthusiast' by Sky Chase, made the most of their Four Star debut. Just Two Star at the beginning of the year this very fit looking combination finished the Equestrian Australia CCI**** in 13th place.

'Ringwould Jaguar' was back to being "Jag" today and produced a clear and under time jumping round for his partner, Sonja Johnson. After a very uncharacteristic couple of diversions yesterday, the Beijing Silver Medallist and Trans Tasman Team member put on a classy performance today to take tenth place in the Equestrian Australia CCI****. Jag was also awarded the Australian Quarter Horse Association $2000 Incentive for the Highest Scoring Quarter Horse. Jag is both a registered Quarter Horse and Australian Stock Horse.

New Zealand Trans Tasman Team member, Clarke Johnstone had a mixed event. He was a victim of the now infamous Normandy Bank with his Team horse, 'Oakley Vision', but moved from 16th after the dressage to sixth place after a good cross country run and showjumping round riding Rob and Jean Johnstone's 'Orient Express' (pictured).

New Zealand Team member, Jenna Mahoney took eight place in the Equestrian Australia CCI**** riding her beautiful Thoroughbred gelding, 'Santos'.

Popular Victorian rider and Sydney Olympian, Amanda Howell really made the most of her re appearance on the Four Star stage. She rode her pretty and talented, Koyuna Magestic Supreme mare, 'Koyuna Tora Bora' to move from eleventh place after the dressage phase to fourth place overall. They added just cross country time penalties and five jumping penalties to their dressage score.

After a great day yesterday, South Australian Luke Jone and Soul added 8 and 5 to their score in the showjumping, to finish in fifth place in the CCI****.

There is no stopping Megan Jones. Although she had a little cross country hiccup with her Olympic hero, 'Kirby Park Irish Jester', she still managed to take third place with the little grey legend and Trans Tasman Team member. But there is more. Megan rode the Rustic Amber gelding, 'Kirby Park Allofasudden' to move from sixth place after the dressage to second overall, with just cross country time penalties and one showjumping rail to add. Although conformation is necessary, Allofasudden won the Magic Millions Thoroughbred Award for the Best Performed Stud Book Thoroughbred in the Four Star competition.

Although perfectionist, Stuart Tinney might criticise his lower leg position here, the picture is one of harmony, softness and talent. Stuart jumped a beautiful clear riding Cathy Ward and Peter O'Connell's Voltaire II gelding, 'Vettori'. Stuart gave a classic jumping display on both days to move from 14th after the dressage to first place in the Equestrian Australia CCI**** on a score of 65.80.

Jill Rolton looks both delighted and relieved. The Australian International Three Day Event , Event Director has worked tirelessly along with many others to keep the Southern Hemispheres's only CCI Four Star Three Day Event alive. The unique event showcases the best Australia has to offer in both sporting talent and sportsmanship and we should all support this showcase of Australian equestrian talent..