Shannon rides to victory to win Adelaide CCI4 star
Hazel Shannon and Clifford held their lead to win the Adelaide CCI4* at the 2016 Australian International Three Day Event for the Showjumping Day.
Leading into Sunday's Showjumping decider, Hazel was ranked infirst position after a dominant performance on Cross Country Day.
They could have knocked down three rails and still won, but the gelding that “always does his job” did just that and added nothing further to his dressage score than 0.4 of a cross country time penalty. Clifford clearly knew where the rails were and, most importantly, kept away from them.
“That’s Clifford to a tee,” explained Shannon. “He is not extravagant in any phase - he just does his job and I can’t ask for more than that. There is a huge amount of training that has gone into Clifford, but his temperament is such that he allows you to train him. It is not just about raw talent, it is the heart and the mind of the horse that matters and this was just another day at the office for Clifford. He keeps trying and trying, and getting better and better.”
In the end, Shannon and Clifford cruised home to a popular victory 14.50 penalties ahead of their nearest rival.
“My aim is to keep getting better,” continued the 24-year-old Shannon from the far north Queensland town of Mutchilda, who when she finished high school went straight to the Ryans Equestrian Centre in Newcastle, in the southeastern state of New South Wales. She has been at the centre, which is managed by husband and wife team Heath and Rozzie Ryan, for the past six and a half years. Wendy Ward, Clifford’s owner, is the Ryans’ next door neighbour. “There is no way I could have done this without Heath (Ryan).”
Hazel says she was elated to win the Adelaide CCI 4* in the heart of Adelaide city.
“It was an amazing feeling,” she said. “Going into showjumping, I just tried to remain focused and concentrate on the job. I didn’t want to know what score Wil and Andrew had after their rounds, as I knew I had to stay focused on my job."
Wilhelm Enzinger and Wenlock Aquifer finished second with a score of 67.00, after knocking three rails in the showjumping, stretching the gap between first and second place. Yet, he held second position by just 0.7 of a time penalty in front of Andrew Cooper and Evergem Perfection, who finished in third position on a score of 67.70.
Wilhelm’s second ride, Britannica MVNZ finished fourth on an overall score of 71.80. Rohan Luxmoore and Bells n Whistles produced an impressive clear showjumping round, moving them closer to the top four, but not enough to shift his overall placing of fifth.
CCI2*
With less than a rail between first and fourth, the anticipation was high for the final riders in the CCI**. Andrew Barnett and Bradgate Park Dante were fourth coming into the main arena, and with a faultless clear round, they bumped up into first place to finish on their dressage score of 45.90 penalties. Katja Weimann and BP Escapade finished second with one rail down and a score of 48.60 and Gemma Tinney and Annapurna were third on 50.80. Gemma was also the winner of the Young Rider Championships.
Jumping World Cup
Clint Beresford and Emmaville Jitterbug were the overall winners of the Adelaide Jumping World Cup Qualifier, after jumping two super clear rounds, and a fantastic atmosphere at Victoria Park.
Equestrian Australia Dual Crown
The 2016 Aus3de also staged the inaugural Equestrian Australia Dual Crown Series for Eventing and Jumping. The Equestrian Australia Jumping Dual Crown Champion was awarded to Andrew Lamb and CP Argento. He carried 8 points from the Australian Showjumping Championship and 5 points from the World Cup in Adelaide, giving him a total of 13 points. Hazel’s standout performance also
The Equestrian Australia Jumping Dual Crown Champion was awarded to Andrew Lamb and CP Argento. He carried 8 points from the Australian Showjumping Championship and 4 points from the World Cup in Adelaide, giving him a total of 12 points. Hazel’s standout performance also
Hazel Shannon’s standout performance also earns her the Equestrian Australia Eventing Dual Crown. She added 15 points to her six points after her fifth place position at Melbourne International Three Day Event, giving her an overall score of 21 points for the series. Hazel also won the SA Off-the-Track Award for the best performed thoroughbred in the competition.
Final Top Ten in Adelaide CCI4****:
- Hazel Shannon, Clifford
- Wilhelm Enzinger, Wenlock Aquifer
- Andrew Cooper, Evergem Perfection
- Wilhelm Enzinger, Britannica MVNZ
- Rohan Luxmoore, Bells n Whistles
- Stuart Tinney, War Hawk
- Tegan Lush, Tempus Fugit
- Emily Gray, Jocular Vision
- Shane Rose, Glenorchy South Park
- Andy Daines, Spring Panorama
2016 Dual Crown Eventing Champion
Hazel Shannon
2016 Dual Crown Jumping Champion
Andrew Lamb
The 2016 Australian International 3 Day Event (Aus3DE) is the triathlon of horse sports and the pinnacle of equestrian sport in Australia. It is one of the six top level Federation Equestre International (FEI) Classic Series events held around the world annually. For more information visit www.australian3de.com.au.
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