Shane Rose is aiming for a fourth Adelaide CCI5*L win after surging to the lead on RB Sellars Cross Country Day with thoroughbred The Bandit. The pair were clear and under time, ending the day on their dressage score of 36.3 to rise from ninth.
Shane has won the CCI5*L previously on Virgil (2023), CP Qualified (2015), and Beauford Miss Dior (2004).
“The Bandit did what he does – he finds jumping more fun than dressage,” said Shane following his round.
“Mike [Etherington-Smith] does a great job,” he added regarding the course design. “The CCI5*L was good. He certainly let you get into the course really nicely this year and it then got stronger and stronger as you went. You needed a bit of petrol at the back of the course. And then the CCI4*S was busy. Just getting around here in a CCI4*S with no jumps would be fast and then when you add 35 efforts in that 6 and a half minutes it’s pretty hectic.”
Shane also leads the CCI4*S with mare Easy Turn, adding 7.6 time penalties to their score for a total of 36.7.
In second as the only other combination clear and under time in the CCI5*L is Sophia Hill and thoroughbred Humble Glory, with the pair ending the day on their dressage score of 41.2. This combination really showed their international experience, having gone around Burghley CCI5*L last year while in the UK campaigning for the Paris Olympics.
“I had such a great time out there. He [Humble Glory] was an absolute machine; he just ate up the course. He made it feel pretty easy, actually,” said Sophia.
“He used to be a racehorse and I think that definitely comes in handy for making the time around these CCI5*L courses.”
Sophia is also second in the CCI4*S, accruing 4.8 time faults with Tulara Baltango to rise from tenth after the dressage; they’re now on a total of 44.7.
Hazel Shannon and 19-year-old WillingaPark Clifford were clear with 11.6 time penalties today, dropping from second to third on 41.9 – but what an incredible effort for the three-time winners on their sixth start in the prestigious class.
“He [WillingaPark Clifford] was giving me 110 percent, making me work for it. It’s incredible that a horse of 19 years is able to go around like that. It really is very special,” reflected Hazel.
The top three where all on Thoroughbreds, but there was clearly also plenty of CCI5*L experience among Shane, Sophia and Hazel, with all having competed not only at the top level here in Adelaide previously with success – but also at CCI5*L events overseas.
Sam Jeffree and Wimborne Conjuror were the third-best of the day on course, adding just 0.8 time faults to their dressage score to finish on 46.4. Jess Somerfield and Finch Farm Carpentaria round out the top five, with 14 time penalties and a total of 50.3.
The challenging course saw Andrew Cooper on Sharvalley Thunder, David Middleton on WEC In The Breeze and Joel Funnell on Airbrushed eliminated, while Andrew Cooper on Hey Arnold, Jessica Rae on Fifth Avenue and Shenae Lowings on Bold Venture retired during their runs.
Hannah Deegan and HK Hawthord lead the CCI3*L
The morning session saw the Racing SA CCl3*L riders take to the cross country course first. Hannah Deegan finished in first on HK Hawthorn with 28.8 followed by Oliver Barrett with Sandhills Briar on 29.7 and Amilia Schooley in third with Sandhills Stella on 30.8.
Adelaide Equestrian Festival Chair Greg Rolton praised spectators for their strong attendance on the third day of competition which saw incredible displays of first-class equestrian take over the Adelaide Park Lands.
“The RB Sellars Cross Country Day is always a crowd favourite – and with elite performances like we have witnessed today – it’s not hard to understand why,” Mr Rolton said.
“This course has been designed to test each rider and push them and their horses to their absolute limits. It requires each horse and rider to be performing at their peak and I think that we saw some incredible performances today.”
“The atmosphere across the Adelaide Park Lands from Victoria Park right through to Rymill Park was electric. The athleticism on display across the day combined with perfect weather – I don’t think we could have asked for anything more on Day Three.”
Chris Burton shares his expertise
This year, Olympian Christopher Burton joins us as an official Adelaide Equestrian Festival ambassador. Chris led a one-off Godolphin OTTB Masterclass in the morning from the Gillian Rolton Main Arena. The in-depth showcase provided spectators with insider tips, tricks and techniques to get the most out of off-the-track Thoroughbreds. His insightful and learned experiences and knowledge were warmly welcomed by event attendees.
The Adelaide International CCI*5 cross country results:
1. Shane Rose, THE BANDIT, (AUS) 36.3
2. Sophia Hill, HUMBLE GLORY, (AUS) 41.2
3. Hazel Shannon, WILLINGAPARK CLIFFORD, (AUS) 41.9
Horseland CCI*4 cross country results:
1. Shane Rose, EASY TURN, (AUS) 36.7
2. Sophia Hill, TULARA BALTANGO, (AUS) 44.7
3. Edward Darby, DAWN OF THE DAY, (AUS) 45.1
Racing SA CCl*3 cross country results:
1. Hannah Deegan, HK HAWTHORN, (AUS) 28.8
2. Oliver Barrett, SANDHILLS BRIAR, (AUS) 29.7 (Junior leader)
3. Amilia Schooley, SANDHILLS STELLA, (AUS) 30.8
