FAR north Queensland horsewoman Hazel Shannon is the toast of Australian equestrian after winning the country’s premier event, the Australia International Three Day Event CCI 4* at Adelaide.
Aboard horse Clifford and in front parents Val and Melanie Shannon, extended family, trainer former Olympian Heath Ryan and Clifford’s owner Wendy Ward, Mutchilba-raised Hazel took the crown.
Her performance earned her the inaugural Equestrian Australia Eventing Dual Crown for Eventing, while Clifford was also named best performed Off The Track Thoroughbred.
The new ‘dual crown’ series was a first for Australia’s equestrian competitors and aimed to recognise equestrian events held at highest level in eventing and jumping throughout Australia.
Eventing is an equestrian event which comprises dressage, cross-country and show jumping. It has two main formats, the one day event (ODE) and the three-day event (3DE).
Hazel, who is based in Newcastle, and Clifford were ranked first leading into the showjumping decider after a strong performance in cross country. They maintained their composure with a flawless showjumping round to win.
As a winner in Adelaide, Hazel is among the elite. Adelaide is the only four star event in Australia, the only one held in the southern hemisphere and one of six staged across the world.
Speaking on her way back to Newcastle on Monday, Hazel admitted the win hadn’t sunk in.
“As you would imagine I was so excited to win,” Hazel said.
“I went into my final show jumping round trying only to concentrate on giving Clifford the best ride I could. I didn't want to get distracted by the other riders show jumping results so I blocked it out and was thrilled to produce a clear show jump round.
“Clifford did a good dressage test on day one putting him into second place. I was hoping to get a score under 50 penalties but didn't quite get that.
“Once the dressage was done my aim was to add as little amount of penalties to my score as possible.
“I had a great cross country ride adding only 0.4 time penalties to my score. And then a clear show jump round, a great way to finish the competing.”
Hazel, who was touted as a potential Rio Olympian earlier this year, has her sights set on the World Equestrian Games in 2018 and the 2020 Olympic Games.
She praised Clifford’s performance.
“Clifford was unbelievable through out the competition,” Hazel said.
“I couldn't be happier with him.
“He put in a good performance across all three phases.
“He has pulled up very happy and healthy after a very demanding week.”
