Johnstone bags best career win

Clarke Johnstone bagged the biggest win of his career with victory in the four-star class at the Australian International three-day event in Adelaide.

The Matangi equestrian led throughout, scoring 45.9 penalty points in the dressage, adding just 8.8 time penalties in the cross country and finishing with a stunning clear in the showjumping.

Pressure came on Johnstone in the final showjumping round when former Adelaide winner Megan Jones and her mount Kirby Park Impress went clear prior, leaving the Kiwi no room for error for victory.

His horse Balmoral Sensation nudged a couple of early rails, but soon found his groove and Johnstone rode a brilliant clear to take the crown.

‘‘I feel so very lucky to be here,’’ said Johnstone, who was New Zealand’s best individual eventer at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games with a sixth-place finish.

‘‘It is something I have strived for my whole life since I started riding – to win a four-star – and to be finally here is the best feeling ever.’’

He thanked his parents and grandmother who ‘‘own my beautiful horse’’, his groom Lydia Beales who he ‘‘couldn’t do without’’ and his team at home.

Johnstone also paid tribute to double Olympic gold medallist and former Adelaide four-star event director Gillian Rolton, who died on Saturday.

‘‘This event isn’t about me, it is about Gill. She was an amazing woman who made the event into this and we will all miss her very much. My heart goes out to Gill’s family and close friends.’’

Donna Edwards-Smith (Te Kauwhata) and DSE Mr Hokey Pokey were the next best of the Kiwis in seventh place on 73.9, after adding four faults in the showjumping. Ginny Thompson (Kaukapakapa) and Star Nouveau finished in eighth place on 82.6, Andy Daines (Kumeu) 10th on Spring Panorama and EdwardsSmith 13th with DSE Tangolooma.