EQUESTRIAN: It was an important weekend for Rio Eventing hopefuls on both sides of the world with crucial events being held in the northern and southern hemispheres.
Sydney International Horse Trials
In Australia, riders stepped out for the Sydney International Horse Trials where Olympic silver medallist Sonja Johnson won the CCI3* with her thoroughbred Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison.
The win has given the West Australian confidence as she strives to make her second Olympic Team.
Johnson and her horse incurred four jumping penalties in Sunday’s jumping phase, but their strong dressage and outstanding cross country performances meant they emerged clear leaders on 48.90 penalties.
Johnson also took out third place on Misty Isle Valentino, dropping from second after a challenging jumping phase saw the pair incur 16 jumping penalties and three time penalties to end on 68.90 penalties.
“The last time I won this competition we went onto Beijing and Australia won a silver medal. So mum thinks it’s an omen,” said Johnson.
“I don’t think I’ve done my chances (of making the team) any harm this weekend. Both horses were awesome cross country, Misty Isle Valentino was a little green
today but Illicit Liaison was his normal gorgeous self, it was unfortunate that we had the one rail down.”
Second place went to Hazel Shannon and Clifford who put together consistent performances across all three phases to finish the event on 54.10 penalties.
Shane Rose secured first and second in the CIC3* aboard the horses Virgil and CP Qualified respectively. Rose electing to run the horses in the CIC rather than the CCI because they finished first and second at the 2015 Australian International Three Day Event in Adelaide
“The horses who have already qualified (Virgil and CP Qualified) competed in the CIC because they did Adelaide at the end of last year and that was the event I was using to get them selected,” said Rose.
Results: www.sydneyeventing.org
Badminton Horse Trials
Australia had four combinations at the 2016 Badminton Horse Trials but a testing cross country course brought a premature end to the competition for Bill Levett and Olympian Chris Burton.
Of the Aussies that remained in the competition, the 2014 winning combination of Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh started strongly with a personal best in the dressage. The pair moved down the order after a costly run out on cross country but they ended their weekend on a positive by producing a clear show jumping round which saw them finish with 69.40 penalties for an overall 29th position.
“My horse was unbelievable, she felt like a proper show jumper out there,” said Griffiths. “It’s a pity, had I not had a silly run out I would have been right up there putting some pressure on the leaders.”
2010 Badminton Champion Paul Tapner riding Vanir Kamira had a consistent weekend across all three phases which saw the pair finish with 57 penalties for an overall 18th position. The combination adding 6.8 cross country time penalties and four show jumping penalties to their dressage score.
“She was very relaxed going into the ring and she jumped fantastic today,” said Tapner.
“We’ve had a great week. It always makes it enjoyable when we have a good final day.”
Results: https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/
Jumping
Meanwhile an Australian Jumping team consisting of Chris Chugg (Cera Cassiago), Merrick Ubank (Alantinus), Steven Hill (Yalambi’s Bellini Star) and James Paterson-Robinson (Amarillo) finished ninth in the Linz round of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup.
The team narrowly missed progressing to the second round, finishing with a combined 16 penalties in round one. Olympian James Paterson-Robinson and his horse Amarillo produced a clear jumping round and were the best performing combination of the team.
The Linz Nations Cup is an important event for Jumping riders vying for team selection for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. More
Michelle Cook
Equestrian Australia
