Shenae Lowings and Bold Venture are one of 24 combinations set to contest the CCI4*L at Sydney 3DE. Image: Boots & Hooves Photography.
Stars line up for Sydney 3DE
The Sydney 3DE is upon us and with it comes plenty of action across a jam-packed program.
The Bates Saddles CCI4*L will be a very competitive field, with riders coming from far and wide. Olympian and World Equestrian Games representative Sonja Johnson will be making the trip from WA with her mount, nine-year-old Parkiarrup Showtime, while Kenya Wilson and Sandros Salute MW will also be driving across the Nullabor. Kenya and Sandros Salute MW finished fifth at Adelaide CCI5*L in April. Also representing WA is William Baxter, who has been based in NSW for his preparation.
Andrew Cooper will be travelling from Queensland with his five-star gelding Hey Arnold, as will Gemma O’Leary and her talented mare Arnage Porsche, whilst Savanna Stirling will be adding an international touch to the field representing Ireland. Savanna has travelled over from her home in New Zealand with her own 14-year-old Encosta de Lago gelding Shilling, who was formerly campaigned by well-known Kiwi rider Bundy Philpott.
In addition to Sonja, this field sports a further three World Championship riders.
Shenae Lowings will be bringing forward her magical Thoroughbred Bold Venture on whom she represented Australia at the World Equestrian Championships in Pratoni, Italy, last year. Bentley, as he is known, is no stranger to the winner’s circle having claimed the top spot at Adelaide CCI4*S in April and at Millstreet CCIO3*L in Ireland, helping to secure Australia’s place at the 2024 Olympic Games. This pair also won the Melbourne CCI4*L in 2022. Masters of the first phase, they scored 21.8 in the dressage at their most recent international start.
Victoria’s David Middleton represented Australia in 2002 in Jerez, Spain, and is making a strong comeback in 2023 with his two horses WEC In The Breeze and WEC In The Money. WEC In the Breeze, an 11-year-old mare, has had four FEI wins this year, including at the recent Albury Wodonga CCI4*S and a second place at Melbourne CCI4* L.
The most decorated of all combinations in this field, however, is the three-time Adelaide CCI5*L winners WillingaPark Clifford and Hazel Shannon. This pair also represented Australia at the World Championships in Pratoni last year. At 18 years young, Clifford has seen it all before and as always, they will be serious contenders.
Twenty three-year-old Olivia Barton and Hollyander HG are a combination to watch. Earlier this year the ten-year-old mare, by Higgins (Heraldik), finished Melbourne CCI4*L on her dressage score to take the win in her first CCI4*L. This pair is very reliable in the jumping phases. They have averaged 1.4 faults for show jumping across their FEI career and they have not posted a crossc country fault.
Olivia, or Golly as she is most often called, is also on form with her other ride Henrik APH. Henrik APH was bred by Golly’s mother, Carlene, at her boutique stud APH Sport Horses and is by APH Rocardo. Eleven-year-old Henrik APH has a very strong record, including a win in the CCI4*S at Camden in August and eigth top-three FEI results.
Also by APH Rocardo, is twelve-year-old gelding Go Tosca, ridden by Andrew Barnett. This pair has a standout performance record. They have finished first or second in 17 of their past 20 starts and they placed third, fourth and ninth in the other three starts. This will be their first CCI4* L. Be sure to be ringside for their dressage: they posted a 21.6 at Tamworth CCN4* this year. Recording an average of just 1.6 penalties in the final phase across their FEI starts, this combination is very strong in all three phases.
Oliver Barrett is a rising star. Whilst he is the youngest rider in the field, the 19-year-old son of World Games representative Prue Barrett and five-star winner Craig Barrett has shown he has what it takes to be competitive at this level. He was equal first with Olivia Barton after cross country at Melbourne CCI4*L this year, when unfortunately he was not able to show jump. He and his lovely mare Sandhills Special have some unfinished business and the skills to get the job done.
Catherine Herbert has had some great success aboard Wimborne Constable. The 15-year-old stallion by Contenda has notched up multiple CCI4*S wins this season and was also third at Adelaide in April.
The strength in the field continues with five-star horses AEA Flynn and Advantage Hill, and riders such as Heath Ryan, Jessica Rae and Emma Mason to name just a few.
The Victoria Racing Club’s Best Placed Thoroughbred Award will be hotly contested by Bold Venture, WillingaPark Clifford, Shillings, Hat Trick, Airbrushed and WEC In The Money.
With Paris 2024 on the horizon, the riders have it all to play for.
Whilst the focus is always on the Bates Saddles CCI4*L, the event will be running national classes from EvA65cm all the way through to FEI two, three and four-star. This is unique for a major international three-day event. The beauty of this format is that so many riders of all levels can take part in a major competition. A feature of the event is the Syd3DE Grassroots Championship, which this year is presented by Attention Signs and Embroidery. This is a competition within the national level classes (EvA65cm to CCN1*) exclusively for riders who have never ridden at two-star or above. It is an individual and team competition, and 15 teams will come forward to vie for the title.
The Yarraman Park Young Event Horse Championships have been re-formatted this year. The young horse competition is running within the EvA95cm one, two and three-star classes and is contested by horses from four to eigth years old. Across all the divisions there are 34 entrants. See the list of entries and details on the Yarraman Park Young Event Horse Class on the event website.
This year the action will be focussed in the Ariat Arena (arena two) which will have the CCI3*L and CCI4*L dressage and the CCN1* to CCI4*L show jumping. The Horseland Hospitality Tent and the trade village will be positioned ringside.
Extra offerings this year include a masterclass hosted by British eventing coach extraordinaire Christopher Bartle on Friday night. Tickets can be booked here.
Christopher will also lead CCI4*L cross country course walk on Saturday morning. Everyone can attend; meet in front of the stables at 9.30am.
Spectators will also be treated to a mounted games display on Saturday morning in the Ariat Arena. The action will then move to the Completely Equine Pond where hospitality guests will have the option to watch the cross-country action from the Bates Saddles seating area.
Riders can unwind on Saturday evening at the Hannover Lodge Pizza night. Enjoy pizza and live music and bring your pooch along for the dog races with prizes donated by Rose-Hip Vital and True Colours.
Whilst you get your Christmas shopping done the little ones can enjoy the jumping castle which will be available on Sunday.
It is a very full schedule and the event looks forward to seeing everyone at Syd3DE 2023.
The Sydney 3DE will be held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park from November 10-12, 2023. Entry is free. More information about the event can be found at sydney3de.com.au.
Source: Event press release
Published 8 November 2023.
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