Shane Rose and Easy Turn. Image: Fiona Gruen/Wallaroo Equestrian.
Shane Rose & Easy Turn win Canberra International Horse Trials CCI4*S
By Fiona Gruen/Wallaroo Equestrian
Canberra International Horse Trials took place over the weekend, with the Willinga Park CCI4*S the headline class. Olympian Shane Rose led the field with both his CCI4* rides, Easy turn and Be My Daisy, from start to finish. He threw down the gauntlet with great scores in the dressage, was faultless in the show jumping and ate up the cross country challenge set by Ewan Kellet, just adding time to his final score. Shane was world class and untouchable from start to finish.
Shane Rose and Be My Daisy. Image: Fiona Gruen/Wallaroo Equestrian.
Both the show jumping and cross country phases shook up the overnight standings in the CCI4*S, the stylish team of Hazel Shannon and the evergreen WillingaPark Clifford moved up a place to third with superb double clears. A fabulous ride by young gun Hannah Klep in the show jumping, and then her superb trail-blazing round over the newly designed four-star cross country track, saw the very popular Canberra local move up the standings from seventh to fourth. Bronze Boy R and Heath Ryan looked so comfy and stylish in the dressage and show jumping, but after a runoff at the skinny on the approach to the first water complex, a very disappointed Heath called it a day.
Hazel Shannon and WillingaPark Clifford. Image: Fiona Gruen/Wallaroo Equestrian.
Hannah Klep and Tulara Chicouve. Image: Fiona Gruen/Wallaroo Equestrian.
Ewan Kellet had used every ounce of Equestrian Park and produced a technical, ridable track. None of the riders and horses managed to get the time in the class. It was a fabulous class with depth of talent and horse power.
The Horseland Canberra CCI3*S final standings were heavily influenced by the show jumping, with only one clear round in the class, and again the time allowed cross country where no one went under time. The first three placegetters all had two rails show jumping, and so it was down to the cross country time to divide the winners. The popular and polite class winner Andrew Barnett riding Oscar Park Deluge was the fastest ride of the day, but still had 3.2 time; he moved up from fourth to take the win from Will Enzinger riding Epic Xtreme. Dressage leader Hazel Shannon riding WillingaPark Chelsea produced a super test for 25 penalties but couldn’t hold on to the top spot and dropped to third after 13.2 time were added for cross country.
The Abbey Animal Health CCI2*S was won by Christine Bates aboard Bloomfield Findon; they produced a cracking 24.7 penalty dressage test and despite one rail show jumping, held onto their lead into the cross country. Clear and under time cross country secured their top spot from second placegetter Shane Rose and Holy Moses, who moved up from fourth place after dressage with a super double clear show jumping and cross country that was clear and under time.
The Wallaroo Equestrian CCN2*S saw Emma Mason and Bee Crafty take top honours after going clear show jumping and adding 0.8 of time cross country, climbing from fifth. Deon Stokes and Wimborne Confederate taking second place.
The CCN1* classes had two sections. The Completely Equine CCN1* Section A saw Skye Ramsey and Canopy Grove Damini move up a place and finish on their dressage score after going double clear inside the time. The Riverview Farm CCN1* Section B saw overnight leader Deon Stokes riding Wimborne Courageous pipped at the post by Stuart Tinney, who took out the win riding Caruso – going double clear and under time.
The EvA 95 had three sections, including a Junior class. The Cavalor Equicare Section A saw an extraordinary dressage score of 17.9 produced by Marlene Battedou riding Le Grand D Amour; sadly she had an expensive rail and was beaten by the awesome Andy Daines riding JDF Furst Expression by 0.8 penalties. The Rosemount Section B saw a big shake up in the dressage placings after the show jumping and cross country. Popular local Nat Blundell took the win riding Quality Kraken, moving up from seventh place. The R & J Junior Section was won by Harmony Harris riding Chantilly, holding onto her overnight lead and finishing on her dressage score.
There were six classes, including two Junior sections, in the EvA 80cm, with 150 competitors starting. Kane Hunt Farrier Section A winner, Danielle Cleland riding Wimborne Cognac, pipped Hazel Shannon on Hendrix from the top spot after Hazel took a rail and had time cross country. Britt Grovenor Photography Section B saw Taylor Drayton riding Divine Vudoo move up from second spot to take the win after recording a double clear and no time. Bucas Australia Section C saw the very popular and stylish local Jim Walshe riding Monteverdi finish on his dressage score to take out the class. Brindabella Equine Mobile Vet Section D honours went to Jade Findley riding Stoneylea Windsong.
The Taman Kuda Junior Section A saw Fairlie Pulbrook riding Wilhelmina move up a place to take the win finishing on her dressage score. The Funky Brew Junior Section B saw Sarah Brown riding Little Skilly move up from third after dressage to take the win with a double clear and no time.
The organising committee held dressage on both the Friday and Saturday for the EvA 80cm level and all the show jumping and cross country was completed by the Saturday afternoon. This was an event within an event!
Local sponsors R & J organised a great initiative for local pony clubs and younger riders from around the region to get up close to Olympic medals and ask questions about the sport to a wonderful panel, Shane Rose, Stuart and Gemma Tinney and local Hannah Klep, who gave up their time on Saturday night.
The 370 horse and rider combinations and their support teams enjoyed blue skies, as well as an incredibly efficiently run and friendly competition that finished early! Thanks to a phenomenal committee headed by Kate Mackenzie, the 100s of generous volunteers and local equestrian clubs, fabulous selection of caterers, an exceptionally easy and well-oiled group of officials and hugely enthusiastic sponsors, it was a brilliant return to FEI level competition for National Capital Horse Trials Association. The new cross country tracks with three different start boxes, endless hours of work by Ben Smith, Ewan Kellet and their teams gave the eventing community two fabulous days of cross country and a deserving winner of the feature class in Shane Rose.
Full results from the event can be found here.
Source: Event press release
Published 25 September 2023.
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