One Big Thing: New Champions at Melbourne CCI4*-L
After a climb from seventh to second place following dressage, 2023 Melbourne International CCI4*-S champions David Middleton and WEC In The Breeze have now added the CCI4*-L to their champion roster. The pair have been contesting the Werribee, Victoria event since the start of WEC In The Breeze’s international career, with David standing on the podium at every one of their finishes from 3* to 4*. Adding just 2.0 time penalties on cross country to their dressage score, they delivered a spotless show jumping round to clinch the win on a 35.4 in the Pryde’s EasiFeed Melbourne International CCI4*-L.
An even more impressive climb was seen with Zachary Thorne and Wu Gok, who hovered mid-pack following their 36.6 dressage score, shot up to fourth after only adding one second of time cross-country, then sailed through the show jumping to end in second place overall. Unlike David’s history, this was both Zachary and Wu Gok’s first time competing at Melbourne, as well as their first ever 4*-L — not too shabby of a result at the end of the day!
The third-place podium spot is shared by Christine Bates on Bloomfield Findon and Kenya Wilson with Sandros Salute MW — the latter of whom had held the top spot on the leaderboard following cross country, and did so with such a strong lead that three rails and two seconds of time only knocked her down to third position.
The Equestrian Australia CCI4*-S podium also saw another shake-up post-stadium, with our final first-place trophy going to Lamoza Velisha and Call Me Cooley — winners of the Ballarat International 4*-S just a few short months ago. Emma Mason with KPH Kingfisher and Molly Barry on Impulsive Ways join her on the podium as second and third-place finishers, respectively.
Sending congratulations to all our competitors and champions down under after such an exciting weekend of eventing. [Click here to watch all the action back on demand at Horse & Country]
Major International Results
MARS Bromont CCI4*-L (CAN): [Website] [Scoring] [Live Stream Replays – ClipMyHorse.TV] [Live Stream Replays – Bromont YouTube]
Melbourne International CCI4*-L (AUS): [Website] [Scoring] [Live Stream Replays]
Grandorse Eventing Kronenberg CCI4*-S (NED): [Website] [Scoring]
US Event Results
Windermere Run HT (MO): [Facebook] [Scoring]
Apple Knoll Farm HT (MA): [Website] [Scoring]
Middleburg HT (VA): [Website] [Scoring]
Revel Run HT I (MI): [Website] [Scoring]
Other Links and Reading
Training Tip of the Day
Last week we looked at “first fence-itis”, but what about the horse’s first jump?? Let Piggy March talk you through it:
Go Eventing
Meet New Zealand’s Samantha Lissington and her team, courtesy of FEI.tv:
