Jess Manson, Bec Blyth and Georga Brennan with a perky Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison in the stables at Adelaide
It never ceases to amaze us how far riders and horses have to travel in Australia to compete at top level events. The Western Australians of course are the ones who regularly make long journeys – Sonja Johnson talks about ‘popping’ to Perth for a clinic, a mere six and a half hours away from her home in Albany.
Jess Manson and Legal Star
The one benefit is that the horses get used to travelling and the riders become very resourceful. Last weekend, while Sonja was at Equitana in Sydney, three young ladies – 21 year old 4* rider Jess Manson with Sonja’s grooms and friends Bec Blyth and Georga Brennan set out to travel 2,700 kms from Albany, WA to Adelaide in Sonja’s truck with three 4* horses, Sonja’s Belfast Mojito, Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison and Jess’ Legal Tender
Five hours later the truck broke down in Esperance and this is what happened next ….
Legal Star, Belfast Mojito and Parkiarrup Illicit Liason at Mundrabilla Station where they had a two hour break in the company of a friendly cow
Swapping the horses from Sonjas truck to Antoinette Vincent's at Esperance Airport
Sonja and Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison looking none the worse for his trip