Sydney International Horse Trials Cross Country

At the conclusion of the cross country phase of the Sydney International Horse Trials, Olympian Sonja Johnson and Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison are in the lead in the CCI3*.

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. Hazel Shannon and her thoroughbred Clifford are third on 50.10.

It was a day of mixed fortunes for fellow Olympic hopeful Shane Rose. In the CIC3* Rose holds first and second place with Virgil and CP Qualified, but in the CCI3* Rose’s horse Shanghai Joe moved to fifth position after picking up 20 jumping penalties.

Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney remains in the mix in both classes. He’s placed sixth in the CCI3* on War Hawk whilst his World Equestrian Games mount Pluto Mio is fourth in the CIC3*.

Emma Bishop and CP Issey Miyake lead the CCI2* after completing the cross country phase in 8:08 minutes with no penalties. The good round took her from third to first and she will carry 45.70 penalties into Sunday's show jumping. West Australian Shenae Lowings is second after her horse Venture Sky High had a strong round to finish on 45.80. Molly Anne Barry and La Muso are placed third on 55.70.

Andrew Barnett had a good round in the CIC2* to rocket up the placings from fifth to first on his horse Bradgate Park Dante. Barnett added no penalties to his dressage score and coming from a background of show jumping, he will aim to hold his lead on 47.60 in the final phase tomorrow. Jessica Rae on Rascal is second on 48.80 whilst Lauren Browne is third on Sky’s Da Limit on 50.20.

The successful day’s competition did not pass without the acknowledgment by the athletes of the tragic passing of Caitlyn Fischer in the cross country last week.

“It’s like the white crosses on the road,” Johnson said. “They inspire me to drive better. I noticed someone has placed flowers on the steeplechase course. I thought – this is just like a white cross – use it to improve your skills, use it to make yourself focus. That is how I dealt with it. I don’t think any of us will ever ride past the steeplechase course and not give a little quiet touch of the head for her.”

Results