|
||||||
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|||
| Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre, K Road, Werribee, Victoria 10-13 April, 2003 - Page 4 Friday 11th |
||||||
| Weather
wise, Friday improved as the day progressed and the Grand Prix was held in dry rather
pleasant weather. The program was altered to start the Grand Prix half an hour later
to give the workers some extra time to try and remove excess water from Arena 1 for this
important competition. They did a great job as the going - while wet - was not
difficult or the cause of any problems that were an obvious result of wet sand, or poor
going. The winner of this competition - providing they had nominated to be part of the CDI-W will carry forward 40 points which will be added to their points from the Kur (Freestyle), which carries a maximum of 60 points. This makes the Freestyle ride the most important - but a good ride in the Grand Prix gives confidence and sets the scene for something special in the Kur. As always the Grand Prix managed to gather a good crowd and everyone is keen to get a feel for the 'in-form' combinations. So much rests on the results of State and National Championships when it comes to selection for International events such as the Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games. With the European Championships to be held at Hickstead in the UK in September, this event will be the very last opportunity for any Aussie hopefuls to be able to qualify for the Olympic Games in Greece. Following Ricky McMillan's disappointing results at the World Cup Dressage Final which was held a little over a month ago - Australia will not be represented in Athens 2004, unless we see some positively outstanding performance/s this weekend. To miss a berth at the Olympics would be a very backward step for Australia and would do little to reflect the real progress that our riders are making in the sport of Dressage. With so many beautiful horses along with significantly improved competition skills and understanding of the basic training system - we are edging our way forward as a nation. The question is ... are we improving at the same rate as the rest of the world, or are we improving and yet still falling further behind? Neither Rachel Sanna or Ricky McMillan were here in Melbourne for the Victorian Dressage Festival, so that left Mary Hanna and Heath Ryan as the only two riders who took part at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez looking to impress the National Selectors. With a new Chief of Selectors - Joanne Fowler from WA - present and keen to give everyone a fair and equal opportunity - the Grand Prix got going at 2.30. |
||||||
 Mary Hanna on her imported gelding Limbo put together a great test and were the winners on a 66% + score. Limbo is working better than ever and has developed more strength and regularity in the passage. |
 Glennis Barrey from NSW on her handsome chestnut gelding Gaucho - this horse has improved enormously in the past twelve months and they were 4th today. |
|||||
 Sue Hearn from NSW and her outstanding brown 17 hand TB Manhatten - this horse just missed a place in the Australian WEG team. They put in a great performance for 2nd. place. |
 Tracey Lee formerly from WA and now residing in Victoria to further her Grand Prix opportunities. She rides her stunning Middleton Apollo by Aachen (Han) from a Kaliber (Trak) mare. |
|||||
 Karin Davis from Pearcedale in Victoria and Mighty Heights a solid performance ... |
 Avoca Black Saint and Leanne Williams from Macclesfield in Victoria show great talent for the piaffe/passage tour. |
|||||
 Emma Youngman who has just returned from 10 months in Europe training her exceptionally talented young stallion Rasputin - made a great return on Magritte. |
 Eric Lette the Centre line judge for the Grand Prix test. |
|||||
| Return to TVE Main Index | DF 2003 Results | DF2003
Report Index Go back to Page 3 | Go Forward to Page 5 |
||||||
| Grand Prix - Top 8
Placings 1 118 LIMBO HANNA, MARY VIC 317( 1) 329( 1) 317( 2) 324( 1) 316(
2) 1603 66.79 |
||||||
