Johnson eyeing more than just victory at Melbourne & Australia’s Young Rider team named for Oceania Championships between New Zealand

3 Star Sonja Johnson & Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison at Sydney 3DE (Photo: Main Event Photography/EA)

By: Michelle Cook/EA

West Australian Sonja Johnson has more than just victory in her sights at this weekend’s Melbourne International Horse Trials. 

Johnson has travelled across the Nullarbor in a bid to impress national selectors in what will be the final Australian based observation event for event riders ahead of the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games which are just 79 days away.

In April the Beijing silver medallist embarked on a 41 hour journey from Albany, to complete in the Sydney International Horse Trials on her two WEG hopefuls Belfast Mojito an Australian Stock Horse and Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison an ex-racehorse.

Although Johnson had two standout showjumping rounds and placed in the dressage, she had a costly uncharacteristic refusal on cross country day which left her out of the top placings. 

“I was worrying about the dressage and showjumping so much prior to Sydney, so I was working on them a lot.  I got to cross country and I had been so focused on everything else that I thought ‘thank god it’s the bit that I enjoy and am good at’.

“I certainly won’t be going into it this weekend with that attitude,” commented Johnson.

Although her journey to Werribee featured a run in with an extraordinarily large kangaroo, Johnson has returned to the east to make her mark. In the past the 2010 WEG representative has done well at Melbourne, including a 2^nd placing last year on Mojito and a win in 2010 on her Beijing Olympic mount Ringwould Jaguar.

Although Johnson is well aware of the importance of this weekend she keeps it all in perspective.

“My aims for this weekend are to finish the 3* with two completely sound, happy and healthy horses and with a jockey that has learnt a hard lesson from her mistakes in the cross country at Sydney.

“A 36 hour trip home across the Nullarbor isn’t nearly as long if you have the right coloured ribbons hanging across your dashboard,” she said. 

Meanwhile, following today’s first horst inspection at Werribee, the Australian Young Rider Team for the Oceania Eventing Championships between New Zealand has been announced.

• Gabrielle Pither & Max Almighty, WA
• Teegan Ashby & Rockingham No Reason, NSW/VIC
• Michaela Martindale & Kinnordy Gatow, WA
• Jaimie Stichel & Image Blue Ice, SA

Remaining squad combinations Emily Gray & Deltry Invader, WA and Naomi White and Mighty Tosca - VIC , WA will compete as individuals. The Young Rider clash between Australia and New Zealand was last held in Christchurch in 2012 and was won by the host nation so the Australian team will be out to break the three year winning streak of the Kiwis. The event will be held as part of the CCI2* competition.

The 57^th Melbourne International Horse Trials will commence Friday and conclude on Monday.

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