They know how to go fast! Sonja and Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison were fourth in Adelaide in 2015
After dressage and cross country day at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre Sonja Johnson has taken the lead in the Horseware Australia CCI3*. Sonja and the chestnut thoroughbred Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison added nothing to their dressage score of 44.9 to move up from second after the dressage into the lead. Sonja is also in second place on Misty Isle Valentino, also on a score of 49.90; they added just 0.4 time penalties to move up from sixth place after the dressage when the overnight leader Shane Rose picked up 20 penalties riding Shanghai Joe around the Mike Etherington-Smith designed course
Hazel Shannon and Clifford are hot on Sonja’s heels with a score of 50.10 but there is then a breathing space to fourth placed Jess Manson riding her Adelaide 4** winner Legal Star
Rio hopefuls are also out in force in the Equestrian Australia CIC3* which is still led by Shane Rose, now in first and second place but with the 11 year bay gelding Virgil having now taken the lead from the grey CP Qualified. Shane and Virgil posted the fastest cross country time of the day with 5.6 time penalties although young Shenae Lowings from Western Australia gave it a good crack with Ballyhoo, adding only 6 time faults and finishing in fifth place just below the experienced combinations of Judy Clark and Diablito (3rd on 54.90) and Stuart Tinney on Pluto Mio, who obviously opted for a steady run on cross country, in fourth place
Andrew Barnett and his nine year old Bradgate Park Dante have been knocking on the door of a win at 2* level all season and have moved up from fifth after dressage into the lead with a double clear cross country round in the Eventing NSW CIC2*. The very in-form Jess Rae is in second riding Rascal and Lauren Browne on Sky’s Da Limit is in third
Another very in-form lady is leading the Tarraleah CCI2* - Emma Bishop and CP Issey Miyake. Emma and her young warmblood mare that Emma describes as a ‘tank that loves to eat’ have won the 2* at Albury and Camden Equestriad this season in great style. However Shenae Lowings is piling on the pressure with Venture Sky High on a score of 45.80, just 0.10 behind Emma heading into the show jumping. Shenae has also on been on good form with strong placings both in Western Australia and more recently on the east coast and was third at Camden recently
The scaled down event, which was cancelled due to the tragic accident which took the life of Caitlyn Fischer on April 30th, concludes tomorrow with the show jumping when a minute’s silence will be held to remember Caitlyn
“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” said Sonja
