Performing to a compilation of Abba music, including Dancing Queen, Chantal Wigan and Ferero literally danced away with the victory in this year’s Pacific League World Cup Final held at the Saddleworld Dressage Festival. The pair scored 69.000% to win the Grand Prix Freestyle on Saturday night at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre. They also won the Grand Prix on Friday.
Chantal was delighted with Ferero’s Freestyle performance saying “we managed to pull it all off”, and international judge Susie Hoevenaars who was filling the role of guest commentator for the night added “Chantal rode a really nice test."
“I was really pleased with his (Ferero’s) Freestyle test,” Wigan said, “The trip home took quite a lot out of him but we are close to being back to full speed.” Wigan returned to Australia in October after training in Europe for the past four years. “My focus in on London 2012. I want to raise my profile in Australia and to bring home the knowledge I gained in Europe and help riders here to improve,” added 36-year-old Wigan who runs an Equestrian centre near Brisbane.
In winning the event Wigan has earned the right to represent Australia at the FEI Dressage World Cup Final in Leipzig, Germany in April 2011. Along with Dressage the Jumping and Driving FEI World Cup Finals will also be held in Leipzig. This is the first time that three World Cup Finals will take place at the same time at the same venue. Wigan is yet to decide if she will make the trip to the final.
Mary Hanna and Sancette in only their third Freestyle delivered an exciting test with lots of promise for the future to fill 2nd place with 68.150% and up a placing from Friday’s Grand Prix.
Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi climbed from Friday’s 6th placing in the Grand Prix to finish 3rd in the Freestyle with 66.760%. “Not our best show but that’s life, so you just keep on going!” commented Heath who then went onto win the GP Special on Sunday. Only 0.05% behind Heath and in 4th place was a beaming Rozzie Ryan who was “very pleased with his (Jive Magic’s) confidence and how much he tried for me.”
Fifth to Gitte Donvig and Port Said 10 on 66.10% who had “so much fun riding to this music, I’m really pleased with him”, and sixth to Caroline Wagner and W.S Nevada on 64.2%
Tomkinson Reigns in the Small Tour
Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina IV continued their winning form from the recent Australian Championships and Equitana to dominate the Small Tour with wins in both the Prix St Georges and Intermediate I with scores of 70%+.
Maree chose not to start the talented mare in the Inter I Freestyle which was won by Rozzie Ryan and GV Bullwinkle on 70.75% following their strong 2nd placings in the Prix St Georges and Inter I.
Hellyer Wins the Oldham Aachen Challenge
The Marcus Oldham Aachen Challenge was a popular victory to Alexis Hellyer, ahead of Elliot Patterson and previous winner, Alycia Targa. Elliot’s horse, Leandro, won the “Best Horse” award in the final, having the highest combined score from the 3 riders. It was a good weekend for Alexis who also placed 4th in the Prix St Georges with a score of 67.895% which won her the Statene Park Trophy for achieving the highest % in an official FEI test, by a rider aged 25years and under.
Photos © Derek O'Leary
Related Links
Scores 2010 CDI-W Werribee - Pacific League World Cup Finals
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2010-2011 World Cup Season