By BRIDGET COOK
TOORADIN equestrian rider Tesse Cook quashed any doubts she was ready to move up a level in eventing when she took out the three-star (CNC***) at Friends of Werribee Horse Trials recently.
The Victorian Eventing Squad member finished at the top of her class at the two-day event held over 30 and 31 August on horse Rimfire Don Pierre, affectionately known as Oliver.
Eventing involves each rider to complete three phases – dressage, show jumping and cross country – for an overall score.
Tesse, 22, said it was her first time competing at three-star level so she was thrilled just to finish, let alone win.
“After a good run in the CCI** at Melbourne International Horse Trials in June, it became my goal to go up a level during the 2014/2015 eventing season,” she said.
“I have competed at Werribee many times and so was familiar with the track and the jumps I was likely to be faced with in three-star so I thought it would be the perfect event to have my first start at that level.
“Going into the event my only aim was to finish all three phases.”
Tesse was sitting third after dressage but moved up to first place following show jumping and managed to retain the top spot with a clear cross country round.
“The showjumping course was quite tough and looked big, I was last to ride the course and no one was yet to go clear,” she said.
“I only had one rail down, just adding four penalties to my score.
“The cross country was definitely my best phase.
“Oliver gave me an amazing ride, he felt confident and coped really well with the bigger fences and more technical lines.
“I finished the course clear and under time to secure the win.
“This was a massive achievement, was never expecting to come home a winner in my first three star start.
“With lots to improve on I am looking forward to future events and can only hope they go as well, if not better than my first one.”
