Nine of Australia’s best Grand Prix combinations, plus one New Zealand rider, have confirmed their participation in this year’s Pacific League World Cup Final which is being held during the Saddleworld Dressage Festival (December 8 -11) at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre.
The Grand Prix Freestyle class decides the winner of the Final, who is then qualified for the World Cup Final to be held in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Netherlands) in April 2012.
In alphabetical order the competitors are:
- Gitte Donvig - Port Said
- Louisa Hill - Antonell
- Blas Lago - Northern Hector
- Kerry Mack - Mayfield Pzazz
- Fiona McNaught - Ostra
- Heath Ryan - Regardez Moi
- Rozzie Ryan - GV Bullwinkle
- Rachel Sanna - Jaybee Alabaster
- Maree Tomkinson - Rodrigo III
- Chantal Wigan - Ferero
Riders will compete in front of an international judging panel made up of Germany’s Katrina Wust, Alison King from Hong Kong, Helen Hughes-Keen (NZ) and Australia’s Mary Seefried and Susie Hoevenaars. With the London Olympics less than 12 months away, the Australian selectors will be viewing this class and the results with much interest and attention ! Riders will compete in the Grand Prix test on Friday afternoon, with the Freestyle competition being held indoors on Saturday night, as the feature event of the Festival, in front of what’s expected to be a capacity crowd.
Following recent performances at the National Australian Championships and Equitana, the Pacific League World Cup Final is shaping up to be a very close and exciting competition, and it’s possible that Brett Parbery and Victory Salute’s record score of 75.3% from the 2009 Final will be given a push !
Rachael Sanna and Jaybee Alabaster come into the event as the current National Champions, having dominated all the Grand Prix classes at the recent Nationals including winning the Freestyle with a score of over 74%. However they didn’t compete at Equitana in mid November, leaving the door open for Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi to make a welcome return to the winner’s circle in the Freestyle class, scoring almost 72%.
Pushing both these riders will be New Zealand rider Louisa Hill and Bates Antonello who have really impressed during their stay here in Australia with top 3 performances in all classes entered, including 70%+ scores in the Freestyles and a win in the Grand Prix at Equitana.
Last year’s PLWCF winner Chantal Wigan and Ferero showed a return to form at Equitana, with 3rd places in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle and will no doubt be hoping that their winning streak at Werribee continues, having won here on their last three visits !
Other horses to watch include Rozzie Ryan on GV Bullwinkle, who competed here last year in the Small Tour but have since stepped up to Grand Prix with fantastic results, and with her flair for Freestyle performances, if anyone can pull off a surprise result it’s this duo ! And Victorian rider Gitte Donvig will be hoping that the “home ground” advantage gives her an edge this year, having finished fifth last year.
The Pacific League World Cup Final is the feature event of this year’s Saddleworld Dressage Festival which incorporates the Victorian Dressage Championships from Preliminary to Grand Prix, the Marcus Oldham Aachen Challenge for riders aged 16 – 25 years and a Para Equestrian CPEDI 3*. With an extensive trade village for Christmas shopping and “Education Day” seminars on the Sunday there are plenty of things to see and do.
Related Links
Wigan Wins the 2010 Pacific League World Cup Final
Parbery and Victory Salute, 2009 Pacific League World Cup Champions