Emma Bishop Shines at Albury

It was a great weekend for eventing at the 2018 Albury Wodonga Horse Trials, sporting a substantial turnout across 13 classes from EvA60 right up to CIC3*, which boasted a solid 32 entries in that class alone. A selection of top riders using this as final preparation for the upcoming prestigious Australian International 3 Day Event coming up on 15th-18th November.

The Blacklocks ISUZU Ute CIC3* class was hotly contended and after dressage only the tiniest of margins separated the top three combinations. Tania Harding, riding Jirrima Yorkshire sat in first place on 71.93%, just 0.01% above the score of 71.92% posted by Emma Bishop and CP Issey Miyake. The ladies were closely followed by Tim Boland and mount Napoleon, just 0.67% behind, sitting in 3rd.

The show jumping was close, with several riders managing clear rounds. Harding maintained pole position, with Bishop dropping down to 4th after picking up 4 faults. Boland took the opportunity to move into 2nd and Stuart Tinney on Celebration moved up from 4th after dressage to sit 3rd going into the final phase. Gemma Tinney on Annapurna was looking set on catching her father from 5th place.

The final phase of cross country proved challenging enough, with every rider picking up time penalties to some degree. Bishop took the top honours, climbing her way back up from 4th after the show jumping to win the class, looking to be right on target for the CCI4* in Adelaide in a couple of weeks. Harding slipped down one position to finish in 2nd place, with Boland withdrawing after show jumping and Hamish Cargill aboard Legolas KPH leaping up from 7th to take out 3rd place.

Stuart Tinney finished back where he started in 4th; daughter Gemma racked up 40 penalties, so not able to pip Dad at the post this time – but she’ll get another crack at it when father and daughter go hoof-to-hoof again in the CCI4* at Adelaide too.

Article courtesy of Equestrian Australia