Australian Olympian Mary Hanna made her long awaited international return to the show ring with her 2014 WEG team horse Sancette at the 2016 CDI-W Melbourne, winning the World cup qualifier at Equitana Australia on Saturday night 19 November 2016. Hanna's Sancette had not been out to a competition since the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen, France, in August 2014.
In Melbourne Hanna achieved a one-two in both the Grand Prix and Kur to Music. With Sancette she won twice with 68.600% and 71.875%, whereas her third Grand Prix horse, the 15-year old Dutch warmblood gelding Umbro (by Jazz x Juventus), was twice second with 68.580% and 71.250 %.
"There are no words to describe my joy! Two years out, a big paddock spell and he comes back and gives me this," said an ecstatic Mary.
The 15-year old Hanoverian bred Sancette (by Sandro Hit x Contender) was out of action after a splint had been removed. He got a long break in the paddock and was started back slowly with aqua training. The real riding was picked up in June 2016.
The third place getter in Melbourne was a consistently riding and scoring Lesley Anne Taylor aboard the 14-year old Amicelli Gold (by Abanos x Matheis). The pair scored 68.200% and 70.550%.
Melbourne was the sixth out of eight Asia/Pacific World Cup qualifier with its league final in New Zealand at the CDI-W Feilding on 2-4 February 2017.
Photo courtesy Equitana Australia
Related Links
Scores: 2016 CDI-W Melbourne
New Zealand to Host 2016-2017 Pacific League World Cup Final
Smashing Success for Mary Hanna and Australia's Young Guns in Europe
Mary Hanna Acquires Steffen Peters' Sancette as Olympic Hopeful