After a very long spell of 40+ degree temperatures, the forecast for Lang Lang was to be low to mid 20's which sounded like the perfect jumping weather, but a very unusual prediction for Lang Lang Show which is almost always known to be run in scorching conditions!

Well - the forecast was wrong and the thermometer saw the temperatures well into the 30's and the sunscreen was being passed around everywhere!

The numbers were good and the first class was the D Grade which saw 80+ competitors with some very very classy horses going around today. Course Designer John Wilsher, from South Australia, again built tracks which required educated horses and riders and many struggled with the treble and double combinations.

Perhaps rather than the complaining that was heard from some about seeing doubles and trebles in a D Grade the riders should consider that it is better for their horses to learn to jump combinations at 1.105m rather than facing them at 1.50m for the first time.

This issue was a problem in Australia many years ago with open water fences which were often seen for the first time in a World Cup qualifying class and sadly some very good horses never went on because they developed "water issues" - but even back then John Wilsher was a trail blazer and the South Australian riders never seemed to have troubles with water as their horses saw it from very early on - and now the same issues have arisen with combinations!

So perhaps all the Course Designers should put more thought into their lower tracks ensuring that when the horses reach "competitive heights" of 1.50m that problems won't arise over combinations, water, dazzle boards etc. would be an observation.

Back to the D Grade - 15 combinations made it through to the jump off with placings to 6th.

First out, Kane Chester lowered the second fence with Romany Ego Z - pictured below left - to finish with 4 faults in 50.49secs

Megan Joyce qualified two through to the jump off - her first ride was with Quilla's Quest but when the second fence came down they were pretty sure a share of the prize fund was not going to be theirs today.

Fifth out today was an H/C competitor, Olivia with Lamour du Par and they jumped clear but collected 3 faults for their troubles.

Stephanie Wake and the very attractive grey White Russian - pictured below left - jumped some very good fences but were unfortunate when they lowered a fence midway through the jump off and then the last fence fell as well leaving them with 8 faults. If this is a young horse it is one worth watching for the future as scope is never going to be a question from today's class.

Pictured above right - Sarah Joyce and LH Folly the very cute chestnut jumped a super round, slotting into provisional 2nd behind Andrew Lamb, when they came through the finish flags with all the furniture in place and the clock stopping at 54.03secs.

Sam Richardson and the coloured horse so well named, Play With Paint - pictured below - lowered the 4th fence, a vertical on the jump off course to finish with four faults in 46.07secs.

Vanessa Weir, part of one of showjumpings nicest couples (husband Ken) have been keenly breeding purpose bred horses to increase their enjoyment of the sport and today Vanessa was riding BP Striking Diamond. Today would not be a perfect result with four down but the horse threw some very nice shapes and is obviously a young horse, quite possibly by the Irish Sport Horse stallion Celtic Blue Diamond.

Megan Joyce returned on her second horse in this D Grade jump off and they nailed it this time -

Murray Sproull was back in the ring again with his second horse, Homewood River Queen and other than the first part of the combination they jumped a super round to finish with four faults in the very fast time of 47.10secs.

Next to go was Adam Johnson with his own Rodd and Gunn by Adam's stallion Woodleigh Don Juan and this gorgeous youngster is certainly showing he has the goods he promised as a 4 year old in 2008 when we saw him at Jumping With the Stars.

So with only 3 combinations left to go, Adam Johnson holds the provisional lead from Megan Joyce and Andrew Lamb.

Mortlake visitor, Judy Clarke and the handsome dark horse, Fury - pictured below - proved that even experienced and long time competitive eventers can pull cracking rounds out of their bag of tricks - and today Judy and Fury left all the fences up and came through the finish flags with no jumping penalties and the excellent time fo 50.17secs provisionally putting them in 4th place at this stage.

Second last, Melissa Froesch and Glenarra Chandon, the handsome full brother to the chestnut mare Glenara Bollinger came into the ring. This ET baby has been quite a handful and so is a bit behind his sister Bollinger but Melissa said inspite of the boldness she loves riding this horse which is quite a statement as he likes to mess around, which in the end costs this pair time and the odd rail.

They were leaving everything standing and looked like a placing might be theirs until the final fence fell.

Last to go, and the only one who could deny Adam Johnson the win today was Simon Watts and Solaris but when they had two refusals at fence three (the triple bar) Adam knew he needed to saddle up for presentation.

A very popular win for Adam Johnson and his handsome homebred dun horse Rodd and Gunn with second place going to Megan Joyce and Westside Rythm.

Third place went to Andrew Lamb and DP Ricarda with fourth place going to Judy Clarke and Fury.

Sarah Joyce took 5th place with LH Folly and 6th place went to the fastest four faulter in the jump off, Sam Richardson and Play with Paint.

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