Shane Rose and Virgil jumping to victory in the CCI-S4*.

© Elizabeth Borowik

 By Fiona Gruen

Nothing could dampen the spirits of the 335 horses and riders from across Australia as the rain gods dumped desperately needed rain on the Saturday. In the Buccas rugs 4* class Shane Rose and Virgil produced a superb dressage test with a 26 penalty score on the Saturday. Amanda Ross also doing a brilliant job for a 31.5 dressage score on her elegant TB Koko Popping Candy. Both riders looked very comfy in the show jumping phase, jumping clear. Amanda had 2 more rides in the 4* but sadly had a rail show jumping on each and some added time xc on both Dondiablo and RLE Poynstown Will ,changing their placings to to 6th and 7th.

Shanes second ride in the class was the beautiful Easy Turn, dropping from 3rd after dressage to 4th after their xc round, time penalties proved costly. The Ewan Kellett designed xc track rode well, but time was the crucial factor determining placings. Rose and Virgil surprisingly added 1.2 time penalties in the xc phase but with such a fabulous dressage score he managed to hold his slim lead. Amanda Ross looked superb and was the only rider to come in under time on the swift and stunning Koko Popping Candy climbing from 7th to 2nd finishing on her dressage score. Sam Lyle and the bold BF Valour moved up from 6th to 3rd.

Amanda Ross and Koko Popping Candy were second in the CCI4*-S.

© Elizabeth Borowik

Shane also took top spot in the Kasun Logging CCI-S 3*, riding the wonderful Stakkino. Time xc played a massive part in shaking up the leader board, Tim Boland riding Menlo Park dropping from top spot after dressage to 4th conceding to Shane Rose and Stakkino 1st and Stuart Tinney riding Be my Daisy to 2nd and Daylena Daydream to 3rd. The only rider under time XC in the class was Sophie Fox and Mr Pig who climbed from 20th to 7th.

Highest placed Junior in the 3* was Zoe Hutchinson riding the seasoned Warhawk placing 5th in the class. Its lovely to see experienced horses giving the next generation of riders such a wonderful ride.

In the Hall rural supplies CCI -S2*, two incredible 24.8 and 25 dressage scores from Amanda Ross riding RLE Cavalier Vivendi and Andrew Barnett riding Go Tosca respectively, meant there was no margin for error. Both riders held onto their overnight positions going clear and under time xc, finishing on their dressage scores. The highest placed junior was Matilda McCarroll riding Kirby park Masquerade coming 5th in the class.

The national 2* class saw the talented Hazel Shannon pilot Willinga Park Cooley around his first Australian event in front of proud owner Terry Snow. Under the watchful eye of coach Heath Ryan, Hazel produced a fabulous dressage test of 25.5 and looked super in the show jumping and very scopey in the xc phase. A fantastic combination and one to watch for the future, with the unbeatable duo finishing the event on their dressage score.

Hazel Shannon and Willinga Park's Cooley SRS.

© Willinga Park Facebook page

The Hanson rural contracting CCN 1* A saw Jess Rae riding Poppy win on her sub 30 dressage score, River view farm CCN 1* B was won by Jess Grossman riding WS Raising Roxy, overnight leader on an incredible 23.1 dressage score and junior Suntosha Barker and Sphinx sadly pulled a costly rail show jumping relegating them to runner up in the CCN 1* B.

Both Eva 95 A and B classes were needed a sub 30 dressage score to win, River view farm A was won by Andrew Barnett riding Oscar park deluge, Kane Hunt Farrier B was won by Laura Wallace Nouvea Height BHS. Junior Molly Tillet won the Wallaroo equestrian Junior class riding the beautiful Tb Cause for Applause.

Sit tight EVA 80 A was won by Faith Evans riding KL Kismet, Funky Brew EVA 80cm B saw Kristel James riding Gwaihirs Sensation take top spot, Tonya Burrowes riding Bell farm Renegade master took out the Rosemount C. The junior A secion, sponsored by R and J equestrian was won by Alexanda Fairfield Smith riding Gem. The Horseland junior B saw an absolutely amazing winning score of 10.6 penalties. Well done Mia Gigliotti riding Positano.

National Capital horse trials association did a fantastic job presenting a wonderful weekend of world class sport. Saturday’s steamy storms and lashing rain added an extra dimension interest. White jods became transparent leaving riders bearing all and hoping their underwear matched their team colours. Dressage Judges batteries ran flat and the normally dribbling creek turn into a torrent creating havoc for the star class course walks and the hard working ground crews nightmare. Nothing that a bobcat, sand and a team of world class course designers and TD couldn’t fix. Sunday’s opener was the massive boom that rocked the entire venue, this time not lightening but a battery in Shanes truck exploding. No major harm done, after a bit of local help, Shane swapped roles to mechanic and just like his winning rides got on with the job.

Congratulations to the small, brilliant and hard working committee in trying conditions. Thank you to all the volunteers, local equestrian clubs, sponsors, officials and riders, their support teams and their horses for helping make such a great competition. The new course design across the levels were well received, the xc going was perfect thanks to the rain, with such depth of talent based in Australia, the future of the sport looks bright.

Shane Rose at Wallaroo Equestrian.

© Fiona Gruen

Full results can be found here.

Source: Event press release/Wallaroo Equestrian

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