Adelaide, Australia—Nov. 4
Australia’s Will Enzinger claimed victory in the dressage in the Adelaide CCI**** at the second leg of the FEI Classics series with his 12-year-old Thoroughbred Wenlock Aquifer.
The gelding by Alannan won a maiden race at Adelaide’s Victoria Park Racecourse in 2006 over 900 meters, and today as the first of the 10 combinations to contest the four-star dressage phase, Enzinger and Wenlock Aquifer took the lead with 51.8 penalties and held it.
“I am really happy being in this position, and Aquifer is well prepared for this competition,” said Enzinger.
“The cross-country course tomorrow will be tougher than last year—everything has been tightened up. Where last year we had two strides, this year we have one, and there is more room for error. I just have to go clear and fast,” he said.
The Thoroughbreds usually shine on cross-country day, but at this event they’re one-two in dressage, too, as Hazel Shannon riding the glowing chestnut 11-year-old Clifford now holds second place with 52.1 penalties.
There is nothing extravagant about this Passing Shot gelding, but as Hazel said “he just keeps doing his job, he has the biggest heart”.
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And this is just what is needed to tackle Mike Etherington-Smith’s challenging cross-country course tomorrow, which runs through the spectacular Adelaide parklands surrounding the city.
Victorian veterinarian, Rowan Luxmore currently holds third place on 53.20 riding his home-bred Irish Sport Horse, Bells ‘N’ Whistles by Ard Black Cat.
”It is a dream to ride at this level,” said Luxmore, who is having his first four-star run this year. “This Adelaide FEI Classics event is amazing for us here in Australia.”
Check out a quick recap from FEI TV below.
See the 2016 virtual course walk here.
See full results.