Another hot and humid day at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre for day 2 of the Saddleworld Dressage Festival but the heat didn’t stop the riders from seeking their best performances. By late afternoon as a crowd gathered on the bank around the main outdoor arena waiting for the Grand Prix to commence, there were more than a few anxious glances at the storm clouds starting to surround Werribee Park.
Fortunately only the temperature dropped.
The crowd had gathered for the Equestrian Australia CDI‐W Grand Prix, the first leg of the Pacific League World Cup Final and they were not disappointed. Rachael Sanna and Jaybee Alabaster came into this event as a firm favourite based on their recent success at the Nationals, and did not let the crowd down. A confident performance which included high quality canter pirouettes and piaffe perfectly on the spot saw them take out first place with a great score of 71.128%.
New Zealand rider Louisa Hill showed why she and Bates Antonello have done so well on their Australian visit with an impressive test for a horse still inexperienced at this level. They were actually placed first with two out of the five judges but had to settle for 2nd place overall, with a score of 69.936% ahead of last year’s Pacific League World Cup Final winner Chantal Wigan and Ferero on 68.085%.
Saturday nights’ Freestyle looks like being a very exciting competition !
In the CDN Grand Prix, Caroline Wagner and Tango V took out first place with 62.766% a score that would have placed them in 6th place if selected for the Pacific League World Cup Final. South Australia’s Susan Paix and Sheer Etiquette continued their good form from the Inter II on Thursday with another 2nd placing.
In the indoor arena, Rimini Park Wurlitzer and a delighted Jenny Hewitt achieved a personal best performance in the CDN Prix St Georges and were rewarded with first place in a strong field of 35 competitors, with 2nd to Amanda Shoobridge from NSW and Ferrero Rocher. Yesterday’s Inter I winner Sara McDonald and Adlanta Rose finished 3rd place, just 0.79% behind the winner.
Related Links
Scores 2011 CDI-W Werribee
2011 Pacific League World Cup Final Set to Take Place in Werribee