2009 Sydney's Equestrian World Cups

Kerrie-Ann Steinhardt and her 'Prince Darius' head in to the Bates CIC** final showjumping phase in fourth place with 65.2 penalties.

Elizabeth Brown has her eyes on the action ahead as she negotiates the Bates CIC** cross country phase riding her 'Henton Attorney General'. After the dressage and cross country they hold fifth place with 67.3 penalties.

Alexandra Townsend and her 'Syracuse' jump the NSW Sport and Recreation brush during the cross country phase of the Bates CIC**. Although all looks well on this part of the course, all did not go according to plan later in their run.

Making the most of his time at home, Matt Williams rode the Vivant son, 'Diamond B Vermont' to take fourth place in the 1.20m jump off class.

New Zealand rider, Clarke Johnstone and his 'Orient Express' gallop in to the sunset and the lead of the Bates CIC**. They head in to the jumping phase tomorrow on 61.2 penalties.

Stephanie Bender and her 'Gipsy Princess' look confident over this fence during their run across country in the Bates CIC**. They are in tenth place heading in to the jumping phase.

Christopher Burton looks nicely and stylishly in charge of 'Kolora Stud Secrets' over the Adina Wine Barrels during the cross country phase of the Bates CIC**. In the lead after the dressage phase, with 49.40, the addition of 13.6 cross country time penalties saw them slip to second place (by 2.80 penalties).

Emma Smith and the five year old Cathago Z stallion, 'Ego Casablanca' make a huge leap during the Mitavite 1.30m Young Rider class this afternoon. They jumped an impressive double clear to take fourth place.

Both Emily Blinkworth and 'CP Argentina' are really concentrating during the jump off of the 1.30m Young Rider class this afternoon. It paid off, as the talented pair won the class by half a second.

Danielle Butcher pushed Emily Blinkworth all the way in the Mitavite Young Rider class. Danielle was second riding 'HP Landsong' and third with 'Eliza Jane' (pictured).

South African rider, Gillan Jankelow, now training with George Sanna, jumped a super clear riding the imported 'Argentina S' to take second place in the competitive 1.20m jump off class in Arena 2 this morning.

Sophia Gostelow and her super, 'Big Bucks' jumped well to take third place in a very competitive 1.20m jump off class this morning.

With the HSBC Eventing World Cup dressage being conducted in the Indoor arena, George Johnson rode the Victorian bred, 'Wandaree Sprite' to win the 1.20m jump off class this morning. George had a good class, as he also took fifth place riding 'Ozbred'.

Jake Hunter and 'Oh I Say' look sensational during the jump off of the Junior 1.20m class this morning. Despite a good round, they finished just out of the placings.

Sarah McMillan raced around the jump off to win the Junior Jump Off class this morning. riding her super, 'Lanarkshire Lad'. Sarah was five seconds faster than second place.

Tom MCDermott rode Carole Jackson's 'BP Jaguar' to take second place in the Junior Jump Off class this morning. Jaguar has had a very successful career and Carole tells us that the World Cups weekend will be his last show.

Tallara Barwick did a good job as 'trail blazer' over Wayne Copping's testing CIC/W track. Tallara jumped clear riding her 'Chief Justice' , but fell foul of a tight time, to incur 19.6 time penalties. They are in ninth place going in to the indoor showjumping phase tomorrow.

Always a highlight of cross country day, Olivia Bunn jumped clear riding 'GV Bullwinkle', but added 17.2 time penalties to head in to the showjumping phase in fifth place with 64.4 penalties.

Shane Rose and his Olympic mount, 'All Luck' were not so lucky. In second place after the dressage phase with 46.2, Lucky stopped at the bounce in to the first water for the addition of 20 penalties to finish CIC/W cross country day in 11th place.

As always, Stuart Tinney gave a cross country riding display riding the well travelled, handsome Voltaire II gelding, 'Vettori'. They added 11.2 time penalties to head in to the CIC/W showjumping phase in third place with 60.20 penalties.

Peter Gillis and 'Mister JJ' jump the sponsor HSBC brush and contemplate the water complex ( 7abc and 8ab) ahead. They had no trouble at the water, but ran in to trouble later in the course.

Hamish Cargill jumps his 'Powderhound' over the Adina Wine Barrels in the CIC/W. Twelfth after the dressage phase with 61 penalties, the talented combination jumped well across country for just the addition of 8.8 time penalties. They head in to the final jumping phase in seventh place.

Young eventing rider, Jess Mitchell is pictured on the CIC/W cross country course riding her 'AEC Storman'. A stop across country and resultant time penalties have them in 13 place going in to the final jumping phase in the indoor arena on Sunday.

Emma Mason rode her 'Angelina Ballerina' in the CIC/W and had a good run until a stop at 27, the Triple Brush, towards the end of the course. They did well to only incur 14 time penalties and go in to the jumping phase tomorrow in tenth place.

Jenny Sheppard and Licara look really on the job, as always. Jenny rode her brother, Paul Kelly and Andrew Inglis' super imported mare to win the 1.30m jump of class in the indoor arena later in the day.

In a league of their own. Megan Jones and her 'Kirby Park Irish Jester' made light work of the tough CIC/W track. They won the dressage earlier in the day with 39.2 penalties and were the fastest across country, adding just 6.8 time penalties. Megan and Jester did not need to do more to maintain a 13.2 penalty lead going in to the jumping phase tomorrow.

There was a great deal of talk about the "difficult' HSBC/FEI brushes, 19ab and 20ab. With one stride between both a and b and three strides between 19 and 20, it looked to be a big ask. Of course there was a longer route, but straight through was the way to go. As it happened, most made easy work of the test, with Craig Barrett popping out the end with his 'Sandhills Darcy'. Sadly the horse later had a fall on the flat and was to play not further part in the competition.

Just when it looked as if Wendy Schaeffer could walk on water, after a brilliant Sydney Royal and victory in the Camperdown CIC*** on the way home, Wendy broke her leg climbing through a fence! However, she was at Sydney lending her support as expert (and we really mean expert) commentator.

Sam Lyle and 'Foxdale Bravado' are pictured on the "tough" CIC** cross country course.

Sandra Lucas and her 'Arissa' are sixth in the Bates CIC** after the dressage and cross country phases with 70.7 penalties.