West Australian Jessica Manson has won her first FEI Classics Australian International CCI4*.

The 22 year old had a six penalty buffer leading into Sunday's showjumping decider but the advantage wasn't required with Manson and her horse Legal Star producing one of three clear rounds among the field to finish on a score of 64.60.

Olympic silver medallist Megan Jones and her horse Kirby Park Allofasudden finished the event in second place on a score of 70.70.

Jones gave herself every chance of winning when she also produced a clear round which put the pressure on Manson.

At last year's event Manson and Legal Star knocked three show jumping poles (equivalent to 12 penalties), something that was weighing on Manson's mind earlier in the day.

Picture Above:  Jessica Manson and Legal Star
Photo Credit: Kangra

"I tried not to think about it. I was reasonably confident because he felt really good in the warm up and he was jumping well.

"It was a little bit daunting at the start, but once I got going it all just fell into place. It seemed to come off well and he jumped well so I'm happy.
"(Megan's round) definitely put the pressure on."

West Australian Manson said her move to the east coast had paid dividends.
"It means so much. I have been away from home for a year now training and competing, so to be able to do this after the year away from home is great."

For Olympian Jones it is the third time she has finished the runner-up.
"I am a bit disappointed as this is the third time I have placed second at this event but Jess did such a great job. "I love this event so much, I had four horses here. The crowd is great and we don't get that at any other event in Australia so it is really special event for us."

New South Wales rider Soigne Jackson and Gold moved from 8th position following the dressage to finish in third after incurring eight jumping penalties. Their final score was 95.90.

Victorian Katja Weimann and her horse BP Flamboyant were the producers of the third clear round which saw them finish in fourth.

A clear jumping round in the Horseland CCI2* saw Queenslander Kirsty Douglas and Cushavon Crackerjack crowned the eventual winners of this class. "It's always nice to win, and I can't believe I have done it, we have had a difficult year with him, so I didn't have any expectations, I was just happy to be here, and to come out and win, I just can't believe it," said Douglas.

Kirsty was one of the few combinations in the class to finish on her dressage score.
"After fence five when I had my bit of a miss, I had to take a breath and think relax and get the job done, when we jumped clear I couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear."

Cross country day leader Christine Bates knocked two rails on Kung Fu Panda to finish in second place. Third place went to Megan Jones and Kirby Park Invader after the combination only added one rail to their score.

Queenslander Isabel English and Grand Andi proved their class to produce one of the few clear rounds in the CCI2*, which saw them claim the Australian Young Rider title with a score of 63.90. "I knew if I had jumped clear I would have taken the Young Rider title, but I wasn't sure I had because Andi touched a few, but I was very happy with him."

Fellow Queenslander Sheridan Sullivan & Talent Thyme were the runners up after only knocking one rail to finishing on a score of 69.30, "there is definitely some friendly rivalry there, but Sheridan is happy for me and I am happy for her as well," said English.

Results

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

Story Michelle Cook
Equestrian Australia.