Sonja and Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison competing in Western Australia
Sonja Johnson has solidified her campaign for Rio by winning the Horseware CIC3* at the re-run of the Sydney International Horse Trials
Sonja won the CCI3* class on Sunday riding Nikki Harwood’s Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison, the 16 year old chestnut thoroughbred that was fourth at the Australian International 3 Day Event in 2015. The pair had one rail down, as did many in the class with only young Madeline Wilson riding Mumbo Jumbo jumping clear, to finish on 48.90 and Sonja also finished third on her other chestnut horse Misty Isle Valentino
“The last time I won this competition we went onto Beijing and Australia won a silver medal. So mum thinks it’s an omen,” said Sonja
“I don’t think I’ve done my chances (of making the team) any harm this weekend. Both horses were awesome cross country, Misty Isle Valentino was a little green today but Illicit Liaison was his normal gorgeous self, it was unfortunate that we had the one rail down.”
Thoroughbreds showed their form in this class with Hazel Shannon’s Clifford taking second place and Shane Rose’s Melbourne 3 Day Event winner Shanghai Joe taking fourth
It is rare for Shane Rose not to take home a winner’s rug but he solved this problem in the CIC3*. Shane and Virgil took the class having added just 5.6 time penalties on cross country and jumping a clear round as you would expect from the horse sired by Vivant. Shane also came second on his other Rio prospect, CP Qualified who was taken a tad slower on cross country and had one rail down in the show jumping to finish almost 10 penalties behind his stable mate. Judy Clarke and the lovely Diablito finished third on 59.90
Emma Bishop and her warmblood mare CP Issey Miyake took their third win in a row in the CCI2*. This is a very exciting prospect for the future and definitely one to watch; under pressure from the young West Australian rider Shenae Lowings and Venture Sky High, who took one rail in the show jumping, Emma kept her cool and jumped clear for a win on a score of 45.70. Rob Palm on Koko Story moved into third place despite eight show jumping faults – clear rounds were once again few and far between with Jess Grossman and Belmont Backstage producing the only other clear round of the competition
In the CIC2* Andrew Barnett finally became the bride instead of the bridesmaid (so to speak) winning the class on Bradgate Park Dante. The nine year old warmblood gelding by Dutchman moved up to 2* competition late last year and has put in good performances ever since but this is their first win at this level. They jumped a clear show jumping round to win on 47.60 ahead of Lauren Browne riding Sky’s Da Limit and Jessica Rae on Rascal
At the end of the competition spectators and competitors paused to remember Caitlyn Fischer who tragically died during the original competition a week earlier. It has been a difficult time for the eventing community in Australia and Sonja thanked the organisers for their efforts in facilitating a re-run of the competition for the international classes which were so important to the competitors aiming for Rio
"Thank you to the organisers and the volunteers and sponsors’She said “Without them this wouldn't have happened; it has been a herculean effort"
