InFocus

Pottinger Fourth in CCI5*-L at Adelaide

iSpyHorses -- Wed, 13-Nov-2019

Pottinger Fourth in CCI5*-L at Adelaide

The Kiwis have just dipped out on the podium in both the CCI5*-L and CCI4*-S at the Mitsubishi Motors Australian International 3 Day Event in Adelaide.
Amanda Pottinger and Just Kidding placed fourth in the CCI5*-L on 48.1 penalty points, with Diane Gilder and Your Attorney sixth on 55 in their debut start at this level and Hayley Frielick aboard Class Action LP 10thwith a score of 74.8. It was heartbreak for Bundy Philpott and Tresca NZPH who didn’t pass the second horse inspection before the showjumping.
Amanda, who was second last year, admitted to a little disappointment at having three rails and time penalties in the showjumping – however, no one was clear and inside time in the final test today.
“The good thing was this year he came out feeling a lot better than last year,” she said. “Today he felt he was capable of jumping a clear round – even if we didn’t.”
It was a rather emotional Diane Gilder at the end of a long weekend of competing. “I am rapt,” she said. “I couldn’t ask for a better horse. We came here to do what we did yesterday – I am really pleased with him.”
The class was won by Hazel Shannon and Willingapark Clifford on 38.7, who snaffled a little history as the first combination to win the Adelaide event three times and just the fifth in the world to win three five star events at the same venue – New Zealand’s own Andrew Nicholson and Avebury being one of them.
Madison Crowe and Waitangi Pinterest placed fourth in the CCI4*-S on a score of 42.1 penalty points. “She was amazing today,” she said of her horse. “I am so pleased and proud of her. She coped really well and it was a shame about the rail. I just love her.”
The class was won by Andrew Cooper aboard Riverbreeze on 34.3.
In the CCI3*-L, Hayley Frielick and Dunedin the Brave came into the final test in ninth spot but had 20 jump and 1.2 time penalties to slip considerably and finish in 20thplace on 58.2 penalty points. She picked up eight jump faults aboard Dunedin Black Watch for a final score of 75.7 in 28th, with Amalia Rowley and Mexico II adding four faults in the showjumping to finish on 133.2 penalty points in 35thspot..
The class was won by Gemma Tinney aboard Diablo who finished on their dressage score of 29.6 penalty points.

The horse details –

Tresca – owned by Bundy Philpott
Just Kidding – owned by the Pottinger Family
Your Attorney – owned by Diane Gilder
Class Action FP – owned by Hayley Frielick
Waitangi Pinterest – owned by the Crowe Family
Dunedin the Brave – owned by Kathryn Robertson
Dunedin Black Watch – owned by Kathryn Robertson
Mexico II – owned by the Rowley Family

WHAT: Mitsubishi Motors Australian International 3 Day Event (Aus3de)
WHEN: November 14-17, 2019
WHERE: Adelaide, Australia
MORE INFO: www.australian3de.com.au

All Eyes to Adelaide for Final CCI5*-L

Eight New Zealand eventing combinations are in Adelaide to compete in the Southern Hemisphere’s highest ranking event, the Mitsubishi Motors Australian International 3.
Leading the charge is Amanda Pottinger (Havelock North) and her 13-year-old bay gelding Just Kidding who last year were second in the CCI5*-L event as well as this year winning the CCI4*-S at the Horse of the Year Show and placing second at the National Three Day in Taupo. They also recently won the CCN3*-S at Arran Station Spring Horse Trials in Hawke’s Bay.
“The aim this year (at Adelaide) is to improve in all three phases and if we do that and end up with a ribbon, that’s a bonus,” says Amanda. “With Ferg (Just Kidding) now having another year of experience under his belt pushing for those more competitive scores, he should go back a more mature and seasoned horse . . . here’s hoping anyway.”

Amanda Pottinger riding Just Kidding won the eventing 4* at Horse of the Year 2019.

Bundy Philpott (Cambridge) and 13-year-old bay gelding Tresca NZPH are also looking for improvement. They were most impressive in the cross country last year until an unfortunate hiccup towards the end. “I am really grateful to have the opportunity to take him back and have another go at a 5* on such a generous horse,” says Bundy, who wants to “right a few rider mistakes from last year”.
Diane Gilder (Auckland) and her 15-year-old Australian thoroughbred Your Attorney have been to Adelaide before for lower level classes but this is their first shot at the big one. They head to the event in good for having recently won the CCN4*-S at Arran Station Spring Horse Trials in Hawke’s Bay. “All went to plan at Arran Station so we are on track,” says Diane. “I rode in Adelaide in 2010 with a horse called Foreal and in 2011 with Your Attorney both in the 3*. I have always wanted to go back to ride the 5* track and always through Your Attorney would be a horse to do it with.”
However, while things haven’t lined up for the combination in the past it seems 2019 is their year. “He finished last season doing very well and competitive, and has started off this season the same,” says Diane. “I am looking forward to it.”
Australia-based Kiwi Hayley Frielick and Class Action LP round out the New Zealand contingent in the 21-strong CCI5*-L field which includes former Olympians and other top combinations. “I am really looking forward to coming back and having another crack with Class Action LP this year,” says Hayley. “We’ve also got two of the young ones in the CCI3*-L so will be busy enough but I can’t wait to be galloping through the streets of Adelaide.”
New Zealand three day champ Madison Crowe (Matangi) is the only Kiwi in the 17-strong CCI4*-S aboard Waitangi Pinterest.

Madison Crow riding Waitangi Pintrest placed second in the eventing 4* at Horse of the Year 2019.

Hayley aboard Dunedin the Brave and Dunedin Black Watch, and Amalia Rowley aboard Mexico II are all on the 47-strong CCI3*-L card.
South Island’s Helen Christie is on the ground jury and Susan Geddes an assistant steward across all three classes. Mike Etherington-Smith (GBR) is the course designer for the CCI5*-L cross country with Sylvia Williams-Roberts doing the CCI4*-S and Michael Pineo (AUS) the CCI3*-L. John Vallance (AUS) is the showjumping course designer across all three classes.
Adelaide plays host to the Southern Hemisphere’s only CCI5*-L, which is one of just six held across the globe, putting it alongside the Kentucky Three Day (US), Badminton (GBR), Luhmuhlen (GER), Burghley (GBR) and Pau (FRA). The event is unique as it is staged in the heart of Adelaide city. It was introduced in 1997 to replace the Gawler Horse Trials but it wasn’t until 2002 that it gained its current ranking, and this year has more than $150,000 in its prize pool.

The horse details –

Tresca – owned by Bundy Philpott
Just Kidding – owned by the Pottinger Family
Your Attorney – owned by Diane Gilder
Class Action FP – owned by Hayley Frielick
Waitangi Pinterest – owned by the Crowe Family
Dunedin the Brave – owned by Kathryn Robertson
Dunedin Black Watch – owned by Kathryn Robertson
Mexico II – owned by the Rowley Family

WHAT: Mitsubishi Motors Australian International 3 Day Event (Aus3de)
WHEN: November 14-17, 2019
WHERE: Adelaide, Australia
MORE INFO: www.australian3de.com.au