Shane Rose riding the beautiful Easy Turn put in a perfectly executed performance to defend his title in the Asset Construction Hire CCI4*S, following his win at the September event with off the track Thoroughbred The Bandit.
Leading the field from start to finish without busting the throttle on cross country, Shane Rose cruised around the flowing Grant Johnston-designed CCI4*S course, having show jumped clear around a cleverly designed Aran Ghafouri track. They finished on 49.5 after a cruisy cross country round. This magical partnership will be heading for Adelaide (1-4 May) and onto Luhmühlen (12-15 July) in the coming months.
Former employee and popular local Hannah Klep aboard her own Tulara Chicouve (50.9) leapt from sixth to second after a superb fast and clear cross country run, with barely 1 penalty separating her from Rose and Easy turn in the final standings. The wonderful WillingaPark Clifford and his long-time partner Hazel Shannon came in third (57.7). The short detour Shanae Lowings took with her lovely Bold Venture (82.6) on the cross country was costly in the final placings. Their accidental walk about in the Cotter Plots accrued substantial time despite otherwise jumping a superb clear cross country round.
Emma Mason and Warrego Marco Polo win CCI3*S
Diminutive Emma Mason and her super old timer Warrego Marco Polo won the Wallaby Hill CCI3*S, looking superb in all phases to finish on 30.4. There was a fair shake-up of the leaderboard across this class. Cathryn Herbert was second with CH Don Quixoye (38.3), while Deon Stokes was third riding Fantastik Mr Fox (40.2).
The showjumping track proved tricky and time on cross country was hard to get. Only one rider made time in the class, international rider Shashank Sing Kataria riding Bullseye Koko (43.3); they moved up a whopping 24 placings to come fourth and are looking good for the Asian Games (9-20 December). Junior rider Skye McCoullough riding Absolut Crush did a superb job, going clear in both jumping phases to finish a very credible 12th overall (54.3).
Nikki Rose and Cooley All Over continue run of success in CCI2*S
Nikki Rose added to the family trophy cabinet, wining the Completely Equine CCI2*S on her amazingly consistent youngster Cooley All Over (30.7), continuing his unbeaten run of wins. Nikki also took home the inaugural Ben Smith CCI2*S Memorial Trophy. Second place went to Emma Bishop and Bobby Dazzler (34.6) and third place went to Alexandra Wolters and Overproof (36.6). Junior rider Bree Baker, riding It’s All In The Timing (40.1), did a brilliant job in the to come sixth overall.
Ben Smith’s life and his incredible contribution to the event and equestrian community as a whole was celebrated on Saturday evening. His daughter Rachel, organiser Kate Mackenzie, and Olympian Shane Rose spoke of his incredible legacy in the park’s development, and Rachel was looking forward to presenting the trophy to the CCI2*S winner on the Sunday. NiKki Rose and Cooley All Over were the very worthy recipients.
Exciting CCN1* performances
A standout performance over the weekend was in the Horseland CCN1* Section A. Winner and local rider Maddie Reisner and her lovely mare Remi Fancy Dancer, the only combination to finish on their dressage score in the star classes, had a brilliant return to competition after a 12-month hiatus. Another really exciting combination in Christine Bates and Statford Matilda won the Abbey Animal Health CCN1* Section B. Junior Edie Hawk riding GE Dublin won the Wallaroo Equestrian rug for highest placed junior in the CCN1*.
Massive entries in the EvA95 and EvA80
The Thoroughbred Park EvA95 A was won by Tara Seppelt riding Breaking Dawn TSE, finishing on her dressage score. The Wilma Sport EvA95 B was won by local Hannah Klep on the stunning locally bred Callum Park Florentine, finishing on their dressage score. Abby Holcombe and Nawarrah Park Total Eclipse moved up a place to take the R & J Equestrian EvA95 Junior class.
The massive entries at EvA80 meant six sections were filled and all completed their event on the Saturday! The EvA80 course walk given by John Twomey was highly subscribed and thoroughly enjoyed by a massive crowd. The course walk was sponsored by local Tori Doak Equestrian.
Emma Mason had a great day at the office, winning the Johnson’s Natural Formula EvA80 A riding Grandview Kaddilac Jack (23.8). The Near Side Equine EvA80 B was taken out by Hazel Shannon riding Just A Nickel AMC (27.5). The Ranvet EvA80 Junior A was won by Zoe Collier riding Klovelly MN, winning on her great dressage score of 23.1. The Assistance Dogs Australia EvA80 C was won by Liz Layard riding In Full Bloom (29.7). The Vale Equestrian EvA80 D was won by Fern Dredge riding Pteridium Aquilinum (27.5). The Tori Doak Equestrian EvA80 Junior B was won by Maddilyn Millington aboard Super Vino (27.2).
Stunning weather, the fabulous ground jury – a well-oiled machine of competence and humour – brilliant cross country and showjumping course designers, and a very hard-working committee, together with 100s of volunteers, pulled off another incredible international event that over 330 horse and rider combinations enjoyed.
Many of these combinations snagged their qualifications for the upcoming Adelaide Equestrian Festival (1-4 May). NCHTA answered the call out from the elite riders to run back-to-back international events within six months of each other, a monumental task in itself – made more remarkable to have achieved this without their rock in Ben Smith. The committee and club members worked tirelessly in his honour to uphold his legacy. They did him proud.
A special thank you to Gregory Caulder, who announced his retirement at the international event, stepping down from the horse trials show jump judging. Gregory has supported the event for decades; Gregory, your kind and quiet manner will be missed. So many remarkable people have made the venue and this event one of the most popular on the eventing calendar. Well done NCHTA!
View all the results from Canberra International Horse Trials here.
