EVENTING News


Johnstone Looking to be the Sensation at Adelaide
Tuesday, 17 November 2015


Clarke Johnstone has the podium in his sights at the last CCI4* ranked event in the 2015 season.

He and Balmoral Sensation, Equestrian Sports New Zealand’s only onshore based high performance eventer, line up this week at the Australian International 3 Day Event in Adelaide. While it is the last of the season, it is also the only one held in the Southern Hemisphere and the second in the FEI Classics Series which encompass the top six

CCI4* events in the world.

It’s a tough field that lines up at the iconic event, including five Olympic medallists in the 35-strong field and it is Balmoral Sensation’s first-ever 4*.

But 28-year-old Johnstone is not fazed by the rest of the field – he’s there to do his best with his stunning 11-year-old grey.

“He is feeling amazing,” said the Matangi-based rider. “He’s probably at his best ever. We have had a really good preparation – he’s very fit and going well in the dressage. I am just thrilled with him.”

And he’s had some great support in that build-up. The combination were allowed to ride their 4* test at Equidays in front of top-ranked international judges, and were a late entry in the CIC3* at the National Eventing Championships at Takapau where they were very comfortable winners. Initially they were just there to do the dressage phase only, but Johnstone says the horse was feeling so good, the grounds excellent and everything just seemed to fall into place.

“Everyone seems to be helping me to get the best preparation I can for Adelaide and a good push for Olympic selection.”

Johnstone has competed twice before at Adelaide, finishing sixth in 2009 aboard Orient Express and in 2006 with Oakley Vision where he finished 11th.

“It was my first ever 4* and was amazing. I think this is one of the best events in the world – it has a unique atmosphere because it is in the middle of the city, is fun, interesting and has a great vibe.”

This year the cross country course will be designed by Brit Mike Etherington-Smith, who has an impressive resume having built at the likes of Olympic and World Championship level.

“He will beef it up considerably I think,” says Johnstone. “And it is going to be a big field this year with some really good combinations in there.”

Johnstone is aiming for a dressage test in the 30s, and adding nothing to it for the cross country or showjumping phases.

“That’s my goal – it is up to the others what they produce but the horse is in good form and if we do our best dressage test and jump double clear, we should be very competitive. I am going there with the hope of winning.”

Their best dressage test so far is 39 penalty points at 3* level.

“The 4* dressage test is a very complex one, so having had the chance to ride it through twice in front of judges has been invaluable. It is quite different to do in front of the judges as you can’t just start over when you make a mistake.”

The horse has also been jumping 1.4-1.5m grand prix showjumping in the build-up.

“That’s a lot higher than he will need to jump at Adelaide but you never quite know how a horse will handle his first 4*.”

There are a couple of other Kiwis lining up in the event – in the
CCI4* there is Australia-based Tasha Mitchell (nee Northcote), who has previously competed in both jumping and eventing, aboard Airaz in their first 4* start, and in the CCI2* Laura Wallace on Sleeping Tiger who is also now living in Australia.

The dressage starts on Friday, followed by the cross country on Saturday and showjumping on Sunday.

What: the Australian International 3 Day Event
Where: Adelaide, Australia
When: November 20-22, 2015

For more information, head to - http://australian3de.com.au/