An epic effort and only two weeks back on home soil, Shane Rose gave his reserve horse Swiper a perfect ride around a beautifully prepared and well received 3* track at Equestrian Park in the heart of the Nation’s Capital. Lying second behind the stylish Deon Stokes riding Crimetime after the dressage and show jumping phases, Rose stormed clear around the Roche designed track with just 1.2-time penalties to win the Bucas Horse Rugs Australia’s CIC3*. Deon looked fabulous on course but a small error at a skinny and a glance off cost him the title. He finished second in both the CIC3* and CNC3* classes (on Koyuna Levi). Rachel Lee riding Amigo and Lasina and taking out first in the CNC3* and third in the CIC3*.
Shane’s life in the fast lane continued, after completing the cross country phase he handed over his precious passenger Willberry the wonder pony (named Canberry for his Australian debut) who accompanied Shane around the 3* track, gave his amazing head groom Rachel Watts the horses, had a quick change of clothes, fitted in a TV interview, he then caught a new ride direct to the airport, flying back to his Sam Griffiths base to pick up his catch ride for Boekelo in Holland. Phew!
The Wallaby Hill 2* podium placings were dominated by off the track horses of which there were a record 105 starting at the event. Young gun Thea Horsley just stepping up to 2* and her super Kelecyn Supernatural held their nerve after being held on course for a rebuild of the drop into the water after Big Fishdecided that Sam Fasher needed a dip. Thea was clear, quick and efficient around the cross country track adding only 1.6 penalties to her final score after show jumping and dressage. Richard Knight riding APH Lionheart and local Amelia Fitzgerald with the bravest of mares Moonlight Grandess placed second and third in the class.
The Over The Top 1* dressage leaderboard changed dramatically following the both jumping phases, time cross country the main game changer for those in the top four. Stuart Tinney won the class on his dressage score with his lovely chestnut Celebration, second placegetter Jane Wilcox and Quantico was just over 1 penalty behind. Junior 1* rider Tori Doak riding Ben Smith’s gun of a pony, Girl with a Curl, took out the Wallaroo Equestrian Junior 1*. Tori was also fourth overall in the open class with a PB dressage, clean show jumping round and a very fast and tidy cross country round and finishing on her dressage score. Very pleasing for her class sponsor Wallaroo Equestrian’s owner Fiona Gruen, who is also Tori’s longtime mentor and coach.
The national class were very well supported across the heights, many families choosing to compete together over the weekend. Saturday was insanely windy that made good scores in the dressage hard to get for many.  The Mark Atkins and Greg Ring show jumping courses jumped well on the Grosvenor Park Product grass arenas, with Shane Rose commenting how good the footing was. The winner of the Horseland Canberra EvA 105 A  class was junior rider Taylor Drayton and Grand Lil Stash who scored a fabulous 31.40 penalties in the dressage phase.  Despite dropping a rail show jumping she remained in the lead after going clear and under cross country. Performance Farrier Services EvA 105 B saw Lyndal Yelavich and Riggles finish on their 44.70 dressage score to take out the class from popular local Nat Blundell riding Off The Track George O’Reilly.
The Riverview Farm EvA 95 cm was won by the super stylish Andrew Barnett riding Bradgate Park Grafenhurst finishing on his great dressage score of 38.4.  Junior Olivia Barton riding APH Andre also finishing on her dressage score of s stunning 39.30 took out the Webb Equine Vet Services EvA 95 B section.
The EvA 80 cm classes sponsored by Funky Brew, Imperial Floats, International Animal Health Products and Junior section Wallaroo Equestrian all had winners with sub 40s dressage scores.
Oliva-Kait Gallegos riding Mjk Quartzz of Gold won section A on her dressage score, Justine Blunden and Syracuse won section B and the Junior class was won by Suntosha Barker riding Sphinxwith a stunning 36.90 final score.
National Capital Horse Trials run this fabulous international event with an amazing organising committee and a vast number of volunteers and super sponsors.
This year some of the FEI ground jury were sourced from across the ditch, we welcomed NZ Helen Christie joined by Vicky Lymbery, Veronica Steward, Ross Green, Connie Batchor and Kay Dahlberg. Our cross country course designers Vince Roche, Dan Olson and Ben Smith did not disappoint, while the crew at Wallaby hill helped enormously by lending their aerator to improve the going. Kate Mackenzie and her team made every competitor welcome and new event director Corinne Allard confidently stepped up into the role. The Doak family went above and beyond to source dressage judges and pencillers on the weekend that clashed with beautiful Willinga parks inaugural CDI. Lauren McIntosh coordinated the show jumping phase superbly, while also managing to take home a 4th placing in the EvA95 class. A very special member of this event is Ben Smith who designs and builds the cross country fences did a herculean job preparing the world-class courses for the event. Congratulations to all involved in delivering this level of competition on the Nation’s Capital.
Full results can be found on Nominate, click HERE.
National Capital Horse Trials Association 