Talented rider Sammi McLeod has made it two from two, retaining her number one position after both dressage and cross country. Riding on Black Odyssey, Sammi had an excellent ride and will be hoping to continue her winning form in tomorrow’s decider.

This will be no easy feat, with Jessica Irvine-Brown, Shane Rose, Nikki Richardson, David Middleton, Wil Enzinger and Wendy Schaeffer all contenders in the CCI**** (Olympic standard) division.

“There is nothing at all in the top five or six riders, and while Sammi has done well to keep her lead for two days, it could come down to the last jump in tomorrow’s showjumping,” said Michael Clark, course announcer.

“It is very close at the moment, and with the weather forecast looking good, we are set for a real show stopper in all divisions.”

If Sammi wins, it will be an emotional day for the 27-year-old from Lochinvar in the New South Wales Hunter Valley. Her horse Black Odyssey was formerly ridden by Erin Walker, who died from meningococcal disease two years ago, aged only 21. Her wish was that Sammi be given the opportunity to take Black Odyssey to international competition level.

In the CCI** division, last year’s CCI**** winner Boyd Martin consolidated yesterday’s strong dressage performance to go into the lead on Ying Yang Yo. Close on his heels is popular local rider Megan Jones on Winergy Fedwell and New South Wales rider Chris Burton on Newsprint, currently sharing second position. However, with less than six points separating the top 10 competitors in this division, the top riders still have their work cut out for them.

In the CIC** division, Craig Barret moved up one place to lead the pack on Mystic Magic. Sam Lyle on Royal Marine is in second position, but one of the rides of the day belonged to Clementine Mann, a member of the Mitsubishi Young Riders Squad who moved from 11^th to 3^rd place after a clean ride on Irish Warrior. Her ride on Newsman was also impressive and she is placed 9^th on this horse.

Shane Rose storms home to take the Adelaide Horse Trials

New South Wales rider Shane Rose has stormed home to win the 2004 Mitsubishi Adelaide International Horse Trials.

A perfect ride in the CCI**** (Olympic division) showjumping this afternoon elevated Shane and his 16-year-old mare Beauford Miss Dior from third position after the dressage and cross country, up into a winning position.

In accepting the Mitsubishi Trophy and the $8,000 first place prize money, Shane thanked the owners of Beauford Miss Dior, Pam and Ron Slade, whose son Robert formerly rode the horse before being tragically killed in a riding accident (not on Beauford Miss Dior).

 “This will be a teary moment for Ron and Pam and we’ve had lots of ups and downs together over the past four years, but I want to thank them for their constant support,” Shane said.

He also praised the Adelaide event, describing CBC Oval as a ‘great venue’ with an ‘incredible atmosphere’.

 “Staging a big event like this in the middle of a capital city is challenging. But it is so important to have an Olympic standard event in the southern hemisphere and we really need this to be able to compete with the rest of the world. Hopefully this event will be supported well into the future. We all love competing here”

Shane, who also finished fourth on King George, said the victory belonged to Beauford Miss Dior who had never failed to gain a place in competition.

 “We are currently deciding whether Beauford will retire, but if that is the case, it is a great way to finish.”

Sammi McLeod on Black Odyssey was favoured to win the event after leading after the first two days, but finished in second position. Third place was taken by the youngest competitor in the CCI**** division Jessica Irvine-Brown on Belcam Aaberdeen and fifth place went to Nikki Richardson on Makinground. The final prize money position went to Kadi Eykamp on Izbella Roselini who made up three places after a clear run in the showjumping. South Australian Wendy Schaeffer just missed out on the prize money, finishing seventh.

In the CCI** division, young Queensland rider Lauren Schodel stormed from seventh place to win the event. Her faultless ride on Smooth Criminal could not be matched by some of the more experienced riders, leaving Lauren with her best result to date. Tim Boland on Phantom Pursuit took second position and Heath Ryan on Loot ta Boot placed third. SA rider Megan Jones on Winergy Fedwell took fourth place, Janelle Pitts and Mr. Showoff finished fifth and Stuart Tinney on Oroton placed sixth. The final was a close encounter with no room for errors. In spite of only two showjumping faults each, Boyd Martin and Chris Burton, were pushed back to 7^th and 8^th respectively, after leading the field after the first two days of competition.

In the CIC** division, overnight leader Craig Barret had a consistent showjumping performance on Mystic Magic to win the event, followed by Sam Lyle on Royal Marine and Amanda Coulson on L.A. Oasis. Mitsubishi Young Rider Squad member Clementine Mann impressed with a solid showjumping round on Irish Warrior to take fourth position.

According to Event Chairman, David Lindh, the event has been highly successful, with great attendance and three days of close competition.

“It is the first year the event has been managed by an equestrian group and it has run seamlessly, which is a testament to the passion and commitment of the management and the hundreds of volunteers that have made the event happen,” David said.

David says the dates for next year’s event have been set and the team are looking forward to a bigger and better event.

“Next year’s Horse Trials will again be in the Adelaide Park Lands, which is fantastic for the sport and for Adelaide’s reputation as a city where sensational events can be held.”

As the only Australian CCI**** event, David said the Adelaide Horse Trials is vital for our top-class riders, and will be an important event in the lead up to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

“Our equestrian teams have had wonderful success in Olympic campaigns, and part of this success is due to our ability to give our riders a chance to compete at the very top level in their own country.”

Next year’s Mitsubishi Adelaide International Horse Trials will also feature the Trans-Tasman Cup, an annual showdown between Australia and New Zealand’s best riders.

David said the event management would be focusing on increasing the number of international competitors, not only visiting Australia for the event, but choosing Australia as a base for long-term training.

“We have some of the best equestrian competitors and trainers in the world and we will be working hard to encourage more international competitors, especially from neighbouring Asian countries, to use Australia as a base and take advantage of what we can offer.”

“Next year’s Trans-Tasman Cup will also see a big influx of New Zealand riders competing in Adelaide which will be great for spectators and our ongoing sporting rivalry.”

“The future of this event is very bright.”

Full competition results for all three divisions are available on the website www.adelaidehorsetrials.com.au