Rose Takes Early Lead at Sydney International CCI3*

Shane Rose and Taurus (credit: John Lechner)

Beijing Olympian Shane Rose has taken an early lead at the Sydney International CCI3* at Horsley Park, NSW, finishing on 40.60 penalties.

Rose is not just looking to make the team for London on his horse Taurus, he’s looking to improve on his individual records from Beijing.

“On a personal note, I felt when I went to Beijing I had a fairly good chance at winning an individual medal so to finish 14^th individually was fairly disappointing.

“There were factors that didn’t go my way that I felt prevented me from performing to my ability, things like EI and having to do a lot of three day events in three or four months.  I think looking ahead to London this horse is fitter and the preparation is better,” said Rose.

Currently sitting on top of the ladder after the Dressage phase, he is in front of Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliott (43.80) and fellow Beijing Olympian Megan Jones and Kirby Park Allofasudden (44.20).

The fight for the five spots on offer for the Olympic Eventing Team is certainly heating up, with ten riders this weekend all out to prove their worth.

While Rose was happy with the Dressage test, he knows the real challenge is yet to come with the tough cross country course tomorrow and thrilling jumping round on Sunday.

“I’m very happy with the (Dressage) test, I think that is probably the best quality test he (Taurus) has done with me. He is just getting stronger and more consistent,” he said.

“I bought this horse five years ago with the aim of getting to the London Games on him – I’m really hoping if we do well this weekend we can book a spot on the team.

“Tomorrow’s course is going to be long and hilly – it’s one of those great courses that presents challenges that might not appear as tough as they are.

“This venue is more typical to what we’re going to get in Greenwich at the Olympics, so it will be a good test,” said Rose.

Australian team selectors are onsite as tomorrow’s battle moves to the cross-country phase, and for Olympian Megan Jones it’s now or never.

“This weekend’s it for me. We (Kirby Park Allofsudden) need to do really well because we’re currently outside of that top 12 – so we need to do something big to put him in that top five,” said Jones.

The CCI3* action is set to get underway tomorrow from 12.20pm, with the CIC1* starting at 10.00am and CIC2* starting at 1.30pm.

1 Rose, Shane (Taurus) 40.60_2 Boland, Tim (GV Billy Elliot) 43.80_ 3 Jones, Megan (Kirby Park Allofasudden) 44.20_ 4 Scott, Emma (Mustang) 46.40_ 5 Mason, Emma (FI Pharinelli) 47.60_6 Tinney, Stuart (Pluto Mio) 49.4_7 Barrett, Craig (Sandhills Brillaire) 50.00_8 Barrett, Craig (Wendela  Jamie) 50.40_9 Blundell, Natalie (Algebra) 51.20_9 Johnson, Sonja (Belfast Mojito) 51.20 

Story: Michelle Cooke/EA