22 year old Jessica Manson has taken the lead in the second leg of the 2014/15 FEI Classics series – the Australian International CCI4* – following a strong performance on Qantas Cross Country Day at Adelaide East Parklands.

The West Australian and her Australian stock horse x thoroughbred Legal Star were the closest combination to the optimum time of 11 minutes and 24 seconds, adding just 2.8 time penalties to their dressage score to end the second day on 64.60.

Manson and Legal Star have competed in the Adelaide CCI4* twice before and the pair showed their experience around the challenging Adelaide Parklands course.

“I’m extremely happy with him (Legal Star). He really couldn’t have done anything more,” said Manson.

“He is very quick and nimble and an easy ride, so it was quite easy for me to make time today,” claimed Jess.

“He is a pretty good jumper so as long as we are both on the ball tomorrow I am sure we can do it.”

Although West Australian Sonja Johnson sadly had to withdraw from the CCI4* her legacy is being represented by her protégé Jess Manson.

“I had Sonja on the phone very quickly, she rang me straight up after my run and she was very happy,” said Jess.

Johnson and Manson are a fitting match considering Jess’s horse Legal Star shares the same prefix as Beijing Olympian and all round eventing legend Ringwould Jaguar.

Despite slipping into second position, leader after the dressage, Olympian and South Australian Megan Jones still remains in the hunt for her second Adelaide CCI4* title.

While the weather was favourable for the early contenders, conditions deteriorated throughout the afternoon and Jones was one of several riders who had to battle some heavy rain while on course.

Seumas Marwood (Wild Oats) and Isabel English (Feldale Mouse) both encountered costly stops and time penalties which saw them drop down the leader board whilst Belinda Isbister and Holy Bruce who were placed 2nd after the dressage sadly parted ways on cross country. CCI4* debutant Madison Simpson and Major James have climbed ten places today to fourth place following a sold cross-country round.

Another big mover of the day is 23 year old NSW rider Elizabeth Lowery and her horse KL Kismet who moved from 13th position after the dressage to be in the top three with just the show jumping to contend. The pair will carry 81.9 penalties into Sunday.

Earlier in the day and in perfect weather conditions the Horseland CCI2* cross country saw many of the field producing clear rounds. Christine Bates and Kung Fu Panda GP protected their lead with a clear cross country, coming in four seconds inside the optimum time.

“I was pretty confident that he could jump clear and under time here today,” said Bates.

“There was nothing out there that he hadn’t seen or done in his preparation for this event, probably the thing for me was being able to make time.”

Bates literally had a tough time when she bumped her watch, falsely starting it too early. “These things happen and that’s what comes with age and experience you just get on with the job and let it go,” said a philosophical Bates.

Team Christine Bates will be a happy camp tonight, as Lowery and Manson are both pupils of Christine’s.

The Young Rider ranks also took shape with Isabel English and Grand Andi taking an early lead following a clear and under time cross country round in the CCI2*.

Photo Above: Jessica Manson and Legal Star.
Image credit: Kangra

Final day show jumping action will commence on the ATCO main arena and a strong crowd is expected to fill the Adelaide City Council Main Arena. Tickets are available at the Fullerton Road box office. Horseland CCI2* begins at 11:00am while the FEI Classics CCI4* will commence at 2:50pm. For more information visit

For more information and full results from day one please visit the event website:  australian3de.com.au

Story Michelle Cook
Equestrian Australia.