Sonja's afternoon started well as Belfast Mojito looked fantastic and was passed by the Ground Jury without any drama
With the original field of 20 in the CCI3* reduced to 18, following the withdrawal of Crystal Conning and Jessica Manson, the trot up should have been a relatively quick affair. However when Craig Barrett trotted up his second horse, Wendela Jamie, and was then sent to the holding box the standard was set and two other horses (Foxhill ridden by Kiera Byrnes and Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison ridden by Sonja Johnson) soon joined Craig – in the place where no rider wants to be.
On the plus side most of the horses looked really good with Tim Boland’s GV Billy Elliot (above) gleaming in condition and looking ready to get on with his job. Christine Bates looked amazing considering the horrible fall she had at Kihikihi a couple of weeks ago and Adelaide Hill looked just as good … if not better.
Natalie Blundell and Algebra, the off the track racehorse bought for $1,500, look set for a great weekend.
For Charlie Brister and Barrel of Fun it was a case of the horse looking far better than the rider. “I was brought down to earth with a bump the other day when I got bucked off,” said a lame Charlie, who then added “but doesn’t that happen to the best of riders?” Megan Jones and Stuart Tinney looked as if they were just out doing their regular job – stand horse in front of ground jury, walk and trot, be accepted by the ground jury and take horse back to stable. Kirby Park Allofasudden and Pluto Mio looked equally relaxed doing what was asked of them.
Shane Rose and Taurus (below) both looked on their toes as Taurus broke into canter as they made their way back to the ground jury. But it was clear to everyone that this was one very sound, very fit horse.
For those held there were the anxious moments of being seen by the vet and then trotting again. Wendela Jamie, who seems to be a horse destined not to make Craig’s life easy by little things going wrong at the wrong time, certainly looked better on the second trot up and a relieved Craig walked back to the stables. Kiera Byrnes allowed herself a smile as Foxhill got the ok on her second presentation to the ground jury, which consisted of President – Christina Klingspor, from Sweden and Australians Polly-Ann Huntington and Gillian Rolton.
Sonja Johnson and the sparky chestnut Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison (below) had to work hard for their acceptance into the three star class. On the second trot up Sonja ran as if her life depended on it, arms and legs going in all directions. It may not have been classic but it was effective and the smile on Sonja’s face turned from fixed to truthful.
Tomorrow is dressage day and if today’s excitement is anything to go by it should be a good day!
