The bid for Olympic selection has heated up for Australia’s elite dressage riders with the first of the nomination events getting underway on Saturday 5 May 2012 at the CDI Mannheim in Germany. Rain storms and cold weather didn’t dampen the mood among the Aussies who pulled out all stops to impress selectors who were onsite.
Highest ranked Australian of the day was Lyndal Oatley and her 11-year old Oldenburg stallion Sandro Boy (by Sandro Hit x Argentinus) who recorded a score of 69.723%. Oatley was faced with the worst of the conditions, with the rain storm hitting just as she was due to enter the arena. With proceedings called to a halt, she retreated to the stables before coming back out and giving a strong performance.
"I feel very happy with my performance and the decision to go with Sandro Boy. His performance really justified my belief in him. Bring on the special tomorrow!" said Oatley.
With the top 15 going through to tomorrow’s Olympic Grand Prix Special, Oatley who finished 7th overall will be joined by fellow Aussie Hayley Beresford on the Westfalian licensed stallion Belissimo (by Beltain x Romadour II), who finished 11th on 68.872% and her cousin Kristy Oatley and the 12-year old Oldenburg stallion Ronan (by Riccione x Contender) who finished 13th place on 68.553%.
For the remaining Australian riders, they will now turn their attention to the second and final Olympic Nomination event at the CDI Compiegne in France from 31 May -3 June 2012.
National Performance Director for Dressage Deb MacNicol, said she was very pleased with the performances by the Aussie team.
"We had eight very good horses compete today in a good, quality field and it was pleasing to see the strong results,” she said. "They came up against very tough weather with the severe rain and cold – but they were able to come out and perform extremely well. Today’s performances again showed the strength of horses Australia has and given that we lost two of our top horses in the last 12 months (Victory Salute and Relampago do Retiro), it shows great depth in our Dressage program," said MacNicol.
Photos © Silke Rottermann for Eurodressage
Related Links
Scores 2012 CDI Mannheim
Photo Report: Heating Up for the 2012 CDI Mannheim