The Australian Stock horse is known as “the breed for every need” and Jessica Manson’s grey gelding, Legal Star, came to the fore when needed today on cross country at the FEI Classics™ in Adelaide.

The 13-year-old Stock Horse Thoroughbred by Ringwould Legality kept his feet in deep footing coming out of the Rymill Lake, producing the round of the day and ensured the pair added just 2.8 time penalties over Wayne Coppings’ technical course, rising from sixth place to head the leaderboard after an eventful cross country.

Despite being just 22, Manson from Millendon in Western Australia has had a great deal of success with Legal Star. They were fourth at the FEI Classics™ in Adelaide in 2012 and 15th last year. All being well tomorrow, they are poised to take the Adelaide trophy back to Western Australia, which has a strong eventing tradition. “Sonja (Johnson) was on the telephone when I finished the course”, declared Manson.

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