Hunter woman Hazel Shannon has created history with her trusty horse Clifford.
Ms Shannon's victory in the prestigious international three-day event in Adelaide at the weekend means she's now in line for a spot in the Australian team for next year's Tokyo Olympics.
"Hazel will be one of the riders the selectors will be considering for Tokyo - there's no question about it," her coach Heath Ryan said.
Ms Shannon became the first rider in history to win the event three times. The event is Australia's premier equestrian competition.
She said her horse - whose full name is Willinga Park Clifford - are known for their partnership.
"I have a huge amount of trust in him and he does in me," she said.
It's not only about a good horse and a good rider. It's about whether horse and rider connect.
"It's just like people. Some people you click with and some you don't. Clifford and I do. He's really special. I don't think I'll ever have a horse quite like him again," she said.
Ms Shannon, 27, and Clifford, 14, have been riding together for eight years.
"In the beginning, he was a horse that no one expected to amount to what he has become," she said.
Mr Ryan said Clifford was a "failed racehorse from down in Tasmania".
"He was about $200 worth of horse. He was so slow and uninspired in terms of racing," he said.
He said Ms Shannon was "really talented", but Clifford was "definitely a bit of a gumby".
"He mightn't have been very talented for racing, but he has a heart. He gives 110 per cent all the time. He's not a superstar really in dressage or galloping. He trundles around like a shopping trolley," he said.
"But they've built this wonderful partnership. In this game, the partnership is everything."
Ms Shannon moved from far north Queensland to Heatherbrae a decade ago to train with Mr Ryan.
She lives and breathes the sport.
"To be the best you can be, you have to fully immerse yourself in it," she said.
Mr Ryan said those who attend his equestrian centre "tend to stay a long period of time".
"They're all potential Olympians. That's why they come here," he said.
"The only thing that gets prioritised above winning is the welfare of our horses. They are athletes and the essence of our performances."
The rider directs the horse, determines the speed and selects which fences to jump and at what angle.
"But it's an intellectual game where the horse has to completely trust you. If you don't prioritise your horse, there is no performance."
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