Sonja and Belfast Mojito - can they go one better this year?
With the final leg of the FEI Classics looming, things are hotting up for this year’s Australian International 3 Day Event and the entry list has been published.
As with Les Etoiles de Pau, the CCI4* entries are missing some big names due to it being a Championship year and many of the horses having just returned from overseas. Therefore Stuart Tinney and Shane Rose aren’t competing but two other Olympic medallists, Megan Jones and Sonja Johnson will be flying the flag. South Australia’s home girl Megan will be riding Kirby Park Allofasudden who we saw at his first event back in Canberra recently where he was looking full of energy and Western Australian Sonja Johnson is bringing her talented Australian Stock Horse star Belfast Mojito (and probably some great stories about the trip over the Nullarbor). Sonja and Mojo were second here last year and will no doubt be looking to go one better in 2014
Jaimie Stitchel and Image Blue Ice
Other Western Australian riders are Jess Manson and Legal Star who have been recently based in NSW with Christine Bates, Belinda Isbister on Holy Bruce, Madison Simpson riding Major James and our own AEL blogger Tegan Lush with Tempus Fugit. In 2012 Jess and Legal Star finished in fourth place in the CCI4* when she was only 20 years old while another more local rising star is also back, this time at 4* level. Jaimie Stichel, from Charleston, South Australia was crowned the Dublin Young Rider National Champion in 2012 riding her Irish Sporthorse Image Blue Ice and placed 10th in the CCI2* in 2013
From young riders to a not-so-young horse who also did well here in 2012 – Keira Byrne’s now 19 year old Fox Hill finished in fifth place in 2012 and they are back again this year (we must find out what Keira’s secrets are for keeping this great old boy going). Along with Keira from NSW are Soigne Jackson on the off the track thoroughbred Gold and the CIC3* NSW State Champion Libby Lowery riding KL Kismet (watch their winning cross country round here). With only three riders from NSW, this must be the smallest contingent in a while from the normally very strong State of eventing
Isabel and Feldale Mouse
The two riders from Queensland are Isabel English riding Feldale Mouse, a combination that had their first 4* start here last year and Charlotte Price, who runs Kevin McNab’s Kelecyn Equestrian Centre in Queensland is also back with Kinnordy Gambia. Isabel’s 12 year old 15.3hh grey Feldale Mouse is an unusual mix for a 4* eventer, being a cross between a Connemara pony and a thoroughbred
Rounding off the 17 entries for the CCI4* are Victoria’s Seumas Marwood and Wild Oats, Katja Weimann riding BP Cosmopolitan, Tarryn Proctor and ESB Irish Quest and Rohan Luxmoore riding Bells ‘n Whistles. This is Rohan’s first 4* start on his homebred horse that won the CCI2* at Melbourne 3 Day Event in 2013 and has been having good success with at 3* level.
The only overseas competitor (well, New Zealand!) is Joseph Waldron. Joe has spent a lot of time in Australia but will be riding for New Zealand on his aptly named Springvale All Black
The two experienced ladies, Megan and Sonja, have to be the favourites but it is great to see so many young guns at the top end of the sport. As the second leg of the FEI Classics 2014/15, the winner not only picks up great prize money but also valuable points for the Series and with one first time 4* winner already having triumphed at Pau, it’s going to be a very interesting competition in Adelaide .....
Megan and Kirby Park Allofasudden at Canberra
