Down to the Wire, Shane Rose & Virgil Hold A Slim Lead to Take Out Canberra International 4*
The Buccas Rugs CCI4*-S class produced world-class riding and a nail-biting finish. It was a privilege to watch Shane Rose and Virgil win by a whisker, from the amazing Amanda Ross and Koko Popping Candy.
Nothing could dampen the spirits of the 335 horses and riders from across Australia as the rain gods dumped desperately needed rain on Saturday. In the Buccas Rugs CCI4*-S class, Shane Rose and Virgil produced a superb dressage test, with a 26 penalty score.
Shane Rose & Virgil out on the XC course
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 two more rides in the CCI4*-S, Dondiablo and RLE Poynstown Will. Sadly, they each had a rail show jumping and some added time XC, changing their placings to 6th and 7th.
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, they managed to hold their slim lead. Shane's second ride in the class was the beautiful Easy Turn, but they dropped from 3rd after dressage to 4th after their XC round, time penalties proving more costly.
Amanda Ross looked superb and was the only rider to come in under time on the swift and stunning Koko Popping Candy. They climbed from 7th to 2nd, finishing on their dressage score. Sam Lyle and the bold BF Valour moved up from 6th to 3rd.
Amanda Ross and stunning Koko Popping Candy the only combination to come in under time in the 4*
Shane also took top spot in the Kasun Logging CCI3*-S, riding the wonderful Stakkino. XC time 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. Stuart Tinney, riding Be My Daisy and Daylena Daydream finished in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
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 CCI2*-S, 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, who came 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. The pair looked super in the show jumping and very scopey in the XC phase. A fantastic combination and one to watch for the future, winning on their dressage score.
Heath Ryan and Barry Roycroft sharing a laugh
The Hanson Rural Contracting CCN1* A saw Jess Rae, riding Poppy, win on her sub 30 dressage score. River View Farm CCN1* B was won by Jess Grossman, riding WS Raising Roxy, the overnight leaders, on an incredible 23.1 dressage score. Junior Suntosha Barker and Sphinx sadly pulled a costly rail show jumping, relegating them to runner up in the CCN1* B.
Both EvA95 A and B classes needed a sub 30 dressage score to win, River View Farm EvA95 A was won by Andrew Barnett riding Oscar Park Deluge. Kane Hunt Farrier EvA95 B was won by Laura Wallace and Nouvea Height BHS. Junior Molly Tillet won the Wallaroo Equestrian EvA95 Junior class, riding the beautiful TB Cause for Applause.
Sit Tight EvA80 A was won by Faith Evans, riding KL Kismet. Funky Brew EvA80 B saw Kristel James, riding Gwaihirs Sensation, take top spot. Tonya Burrowes, riding Bell Farm Renegade Master, took out the Rosemount EvA80 C.
The junior EvA80 A section, sponsored by R and J Equestrian, was won by Alexanda Fairfield Smith, riding Gem. The Horseland EvA80 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.
Volunteer Wayne in rain!
Dressage judges batteries ran flat and the normally dribbling creek turned into a torrent, creating havoc for the star class course walks and a nightmare for the hard-working ground crew. But nothing that a bobcat, sand and a team of world-class course designers and the 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 a 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, riders and their support teams and their horses for helping make such a great competition.
The new course designs across the levels were well received and the XC going was perfect thanks to the rain. With such depth of talent based in Australia, the future of the sport looks bright.
Full results can be found here:
https://www.nominate.com.au/equest/nsw/results/canberra092019/xc_1909_CCI3-S.html
Report by Fiona Gruen and Wallaroo Equestrian.www.wallarooequestrian.com.au
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