Ariat Rider of the Month - Sonja Johnson

Olympic silver medallist Sonja Johnson has won the Sydney International Horse Trials CCI3* with her thoroughbred Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison, giving the West Australian confidence as she strives to make her second Olympic Team. 

Johnson and her horse were ranked second after the Dressage (with 44.90 penalties) but a clear cross country round improved their standings and the pair now has a tidy lead going into Sunday’s show jumping decider.

“It was so easy to make the time on him,” Olympic hopeful Johnson said of her fast thoroughbred.

“The goal was to give him a good hit out here. I am still assuming that he is going to Melbourne to do a CIC3*. I’ll be aiming to go conservatively there, which is why I was just wanted to prove that the horse and I have still got it in us to make the time.”

Johnson’s second horse Misty Isle Valentino is in second place on 49.90 after finishing one second outside the allowed time to add just 0.4 time penalties to his dressage score. 

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