MAGIC MILLIONS – BRISBANE TRIEQUITHON

Saturday 2 April saw the inaugural running of the Brisbane Triequithon, an event which saw a shortened dressage test, cross country and show jumping rounds conducted on the St Ledger Lawn in the shadow of the grandstand at Doomben Racecourse.

Twelve riders came from far and wide to showcase the equestrian sport of eventing to the racing public, an opportunity to show just what Off-the-Track thoroughbreds can do when their racing life is over.

First came the two minute dressage test that has been specially designed for this type of competition.  It has previously been ridden at the other Triequithons held in the southern states.  Judges Mary Seefreid and Karen Herald ably judged the first seven riders in-between races 1 & 2, with the remaining five riders completing their test between races 2 & 3.  Leader after the dressage phase was Sheridan Sullivan riding As we go by (aka Grand Thyme) on 47.3 penalties.

Magically out of nowhere came a dedicated band of volunteers that transformed the St Ledger Lawn into a shortened Cross Country Course comprising of 14 obstacles. One refusal by Sheridan saw her drop out of the placings and Timari Lau on Griffo (aka Nyala Pure Class) emerge as the new leader.  Half of the field where able to complete the course without adding to the Dressage penalties, and only 12 penalties or 3 rails covering the first five place.

This just left the showjumping phase to go, which was run in reverse order.  As with the other phases, the showjumping was run in-between races, with Sheridan, Naomi, Mandy, Natasha, Katie, Matt and Kate in the first group, with McKeely, Finn, Rebel and Timari left to jump between races 7 and 8.  The VIP Marquee was full to capacity and the fence line was thick with spectators to watch the final four complete the shortened course in as close to 78 seconds as possible.

Congratulations to Timari Lau and Griffo in winning the inaugural Brisbane Triequithon finishing on 52 penalties, only adding one rail to her Dressage score.

Congratulations to McKeely Elliot who was awarded the Best Presented combination on the day.

Congratulations to all the competitors (Brittney Young, Sheridan Sullivan, Naomi Burton, Mandy Radecker, Natasha Gunston, Katie Gorell, Matthew Gaske, Kate Sexton, McKeely Elliott, Fin-Patrick McCoy, Rebel Morrow, and Timari Lau) who have taken Off-the-Track thoroughbreds and nurtured them into eventing stars.

Our thanks goes to

*         Magic Millions for supporting this event.

*         Matt Gaske who worked with Paul Chow, Jane Gollan and team to see this event from a proposal into a completed event.

*         Charlotte Price and Terri Langdon who built the Cross Country and Show Jumping Courses

*         Tamborine Equestrian Group and Fig Tree Pocket Equestrian Club who provided portable cross country and show jumps

*         Our dedicated band of volunteers, without your help, the event would not have been presented in the professional manner it was.