Records Set and History Made at Wallaby Hill 2020

The greatly anticipated Wallaby Hill International 3-Day-Event took place this past weekend in NSW and it did not fail to deliver on world-class equestrian competition, as our Australian riders looked all class across the phases. Although the number of spectators allowed on site was limited due to Covid-19 restrictions, the spirits of all in attendance were high.

The event is the only full-scale 3-Day-Event to run in Australia for 2020 and was greatly anticipated by all of the EA High Performance riders, many of whom identified the event as part of their Tokyo 2020 preparations.

EA High Performance Eventing Gold Squad rider Shane Rose dominated the weekend winning both the Gow Gates CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S classes. Shane won the Gow Gates CCI4*-L riding the brilliant mare Easy Turn, known at home as Tina and owned by Shane and Angela Shacklady, and also won the CCI4*-S riding his WEG 2018 horse Virgil, owned by Shane and Michelle Hasibar.

Shane Rose and Easy Turn win the Gow Gates CCI4*-L at Wallaby Hill photo: Stephen Mowbray

“It has been the focus for both the horses once we got back eventing in NSW and the event was put up to run. The reality of the situation is that it was a priority for both horses to go to Wallaby Hill. Virgil has done a lot so I didn’t feel it was going to be a benefit for him to do the long format, overall it is the same dressage judges, cross country and showjumping but with a few minutes less galloping for him. Tina we thought would benefit and looking ahead to Tokyo she needed to do the long format and it was definitely the plan to go out and do what we did!” explains Shane.  

Not only did Shane win both classes in style but he also made history while doing so. Shane set the record for the best ever dressage score produced in the CCI4*-L where he and Tina earned a 25.00 from the judges following their beautiful execution of the test. Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliot held the previous record with a score 26.40 which was achieved in 2017.

Shane Rose and Easy Turn scored 25.00 in dressagee at the Gow Gates CCI4*-L at Wallaby Hill photo: Stephen Mowbray Photography 

“I am really pleased with them all and they went as well as I knew they could and I am very happy. In the lead up to the event I spent as much time as I could with them on the flat so that we could produce the low scores at the competition that I know they are both capable of. We have had help with the dressage from Bettina Hoy which has showed in the dressage results, and they both had good jumping phases at the event. Overall, really pleased with both of the horses.”

When asked about the impressive dressage results our Australian riders are delivering around the globe Shane explains it comes down to the constant desire to improve and the competitive drive ingrained in our riders. “It happens when a good horse does a good test and beats you, it spurs you on and makes everyone want to be better and you are always aiming to improve.

“When a bunch of good horses all go to a show the judges have to differentiate between a good test and a great test and we have more and more great horses so you see it reflected in the scores”

 Good friends Shane Rose and Stuart Tinney finished in first and second/third in the Gow Gates CCI4*-L at Wallaby Hill photo: Stephen Mowbray

In addition to securing a dressage record Shane also become the only rider to ever win the coveted CCI4*-L class at Wallaby Hill three times. Making the achievement even more remarkable is that Shane has accomplished this milestone over three consecutive years, just one example of the consistency and longevity of our High Performance riders. Shane won the event in 2019 riding Easy Turn and in 2018 riding Ultimate Velocity.

It wasn’t only Shane Rose setting records at Wallaby Hill this weekend we also saw a record setting dressage score in the CCI4*-S class delivered by Christine Bates riding Adelaide Hill who scored 26.30, smashing the previous record of 30.4 held by Tania Harding and Jirrima Yorkshire which was set in 2019. Unfortunately Christine withdraw Adeliade Hill prior to the start of the cross country phase.

Christine Bates and Adelaide Hill after their record test in the CCI4*-S photo: Stephen Mowbray

Despite the disruption caused in 2020 by Covid-19 one thing appears certain, our Australian event riders have proved they are a force to be reckoned with at Tokyo 2020.

Final Placings Gow Gates CCI4*-L

1. Shane Rose and Easy Turn

2. Stuart Tinney and Celebration

3. Stuart Tinney and Leporis

4. Cathryn Herbert and Femme de Renaissance

5. Emma Mason and Warrego Marco Polo

Full results from all clases can be found here