Rio hopeful Rose is confident in his horse Qualified

Shane Rose is confident his top Olympic prospect CP Qualified has what it takes to challenge the world’s best in Rio.

The Olympic silver medallist won the CIC3* class at the Saddleworld Melbourne International Three Day Event with a score of 40.20 and will use the 54 days to go to the Rio Opening Ceremony to improve that result. 

“He’s very close to doing the test that I want him to do,” said Rose. “I think there are another four or five marks that I can get off that final score which would be great. Low 30s would be even better.

“He’s only just starting his preparation and he’s improving all the time,” he said.  

Rose scored 38.60 penalties in the dressage, jumped clear in the show jumping and picked up just 1.6 time penalties in the cross country.   

“I didn’t quite produce the (Dressage) test I know we can do but he’s getting better all the time. He’s certainly going a lot better as he’s getting fitter and stronger.

“If you talk to athletes they’ll tell you as they get older they get stronger and Qualified is exactly the same. He was out on his feet in his first couple of three day events and ever since then he’s gotten fitter, faster and stronger.

"With every performance he improves and I'm hopeful that continues into Rio,” said Rose.

Rio hopefuls filled the minor placings in the CIC3* with Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney and Olympic silver medallist Sonja Johnson both producing clear jumping rounds during today’s cross country to finish second and third place respectively.  

In the CCI3* Tinney’s horse War Hawk is holding 48.30 penalties and second position overall with show jumping still to come. Tinney remains within reach of the lead which is held by Judith Clarke and Diablito with 46.90 penalties. Rose and his up-and coming horses Shanghai Joe and Glenorchy South Park produced precise cross country rounds and are ranked third and fourth, while Tinney’s third entry Carlchen is in seventh position after picking up 12.4 time penalties.

The CCI3* Show Jumping will be held at the Werribee Park Equestrian Centre on Monday.

Results