KOYUNA SUN STORM

Chestnut Mare 16hh, born 2000 Sire: - Brilliant Invader       Dam:- Sun Storm Alley

'Storm' was also bred by Howard & Darren Clark of  Koyuna Stud and purchased in early 2001 as a young foal on her mother, whom my mother, Di, had campaigned as an event horse to Novice 3DE level. As a youngster, Storm was a horror to handle; well actually getting anywhere near her to handle was the problem! Still rather a madam, Storm is beautiful and moves and jumps exceptionally well - time will tell if beautiful is as beautiful does!  2006 saw Storm make good progress through the ranks with a Pre Novice win and a 3rd place at her first one star start. 2007 plans aim to consolidate her at 1* level up to the Werribbee CCI then progress to 2 star level for the Spring season.

UP-DATING SUN STORM'S PERFORMANCES : - 2007 / 2008

2007 proved to be a busy year for Storm, returning to Eventing at Albury CIC* quietly for 11th, then a 4th at Reynella and a win at CIC* at Naracoorte, however plans for Werribee were shelved to concentrate on Shine & Dancer and Storm then took the trip to Sydney and later the Queensland run to do her first two CIC**. However this trip turned into a full on Show Jumping exercise as well as the 2 ODE's. The SIEC mid-week CNC** (2nd) was followed by the JK Williams Show Jumping in the Orchard Show where Storm won both the Derby trial and the following day the Derby Final.

Storm was selected as the first reserve for the Olympic Test Event so needed to run a CIC** at Kooralbyn where she duly qualified placing 2nd to Stratford Novalis (who did later place third at the Test Event). She was not needed for Hong Kong 2 star Test Event, so then spent the next 2 weeks Show Jumping at the amazing Elysian Fields International SJ Event. Storm surprised us all by winning 2 Bronze Qualifiers and 2nd in the third to qualify in first place for the finals, but found the second jump-off round a little big for her lack of experience and did not place in the final. More Show Jumping as we moved on to the Toowoomba World Cup Show where Sun Set & I had our first World Cup Qualifier start (6th) and Storm won the 1,25m and 2nd in the Accumulator to up-grade from just C Grade, on leaving home, to B Grade in only these 3 big, competitive Shows.

Back in SA, Storm won the CNC** at Mt Gambier just before EI shut down all Events until December when, bravely, Victoria succeeded in hosting the Lakes & Craters Three Day Event allowing Storm to complete her 3 star qualifications for 2008 with a win here at the CCI** . This she did quite impressively, with a dressage score of 48.6 and only 2.8 time added to the final score. She is brave, careful and very rideable making her perhaps my best long-term Eventing prospect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008 the Olympic selection year.

After Storm's first CIC** run for 3rd at Tonimbuk, she was ready for 3 star but now she was my 4th horse at 3 star level, and with 3 of them listed for Hong Kong I needed to concentrate on them for the Sydney 3DE then perhaps Storm would go to Werribee, but even that was not to be. Storm led the dressage at Naracoorte CIC*** on 48.9 but was lame with a foot abcess next morning and hence not seasoned for Werribee, or fair to ask the question with no lead-up Event. Instead she did more show jumping and went up to SIEC for the Olympic Camp running mid-week CNC** & leading, - but for missing some compulsory flags!!! She made amends on the weekend winning her first CIC***, leading the dressage on 48.9 and adding only 4 time to the final score. As she is still only just 8 yo I chose not to run at Warwick World Cup Eventing Qualifier, but have progressed her Show Jumping at the big shows - Toowoomba World Cup Show she was 2nd (to Dancer) in the Mini Prix, 2nd in 1.40m and 3rd in 1.35m. up-grading to A Grade in the process. Storm also show jumped successfully with placings at the Royal Adelaide Show in Part 2 in September, before starting in her first World Cup Qualifier at the Royal Show and surprising all in placing 6th (Lia 2nd). Storm also won an A&B Grade at the National Championships at Canberra in October and was 2nd in the Mini Prix, then stepped up again to the World Cup Qualifier at Sale in November, placing 8th. On to the ISS Show at SIEC in December where she won a 1.40m class, was 4th in 1.35m and 2nd in the Mini Prix, just pipped on time after 2 clear rounds.

Storm has completed a very successful year combining Eventing up to 3 star with Show Jumping to World Cup level. Storm's final achievement for 2008 was her selection onto the National Show Jumping Development Squad. It remains to see what develops best for 2009 Eventing or Show Jumping (it all depends on MY dressage!!!) with Kentucky in view in 2010.

 Best Performances:

3rd Lakes & Craters International Horse Trials	CIC*	2006
1st Kirkaldy Park Horse Trials	pre novice	2006
6th Reynella Horse Trials	pre novice	2005
2nd Metropolitan Districts World Cup Show	D Grade	2005