The trade stands were buzzing today even though it is the normally quiet Friday beginning to the Melbourne Three Day Event. Maybe it was the weather forcing people undercover - occasional downpours which were unfortunate if you were warming up for the One Star or Two Star Dressage - but the sun popped its head out once or twice. A couple of the big stars were out - Shane Rose and Megan Jones were both riding their two star horses and showed their class.
Shane, riding Star Am I finished in the overnight leader position with Megan only .20 behind him on Westbury Park Irish Grove - yet another lovely grey horse in Megan's stable. Shane also holds third place with the black stallion Stratford Novalis.
Following the dressage, there was the highlight of the day - the launch of the new book 'An Eventful Life' which had been attracting attention at the trade stand all day with the riders signing books as they were available. Despite only a small crowd in the arena for the launch and the subsequent Masterclass with Ricky McMillan, the response to the book, the riders involved and author Alison Duthie was heartwarming in the somewhat cold indoor arena. There were queues for the riders to sign books and enthusiatic fans waited to meet their riding heroes.
We have some footage on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/aneventfullifebook of Wendy Schaeffer walking us through the water complex - plenty more coming tomorrow with various riders walking us through the cross country course elements, Megan's two star ride and more to come. The action is hotting up with more to come tomorrow.
