Wendi Williamson will be making history undertaking the 60-hour trip next week as she and 12-year old New Zealand bred Hanoverian Dejavu MH head to the 2017 World Cup Finals. Instead of making the more logical trip from Auckland to LA and Omaha, Williamson is obliged to ship her horse via Europe to the U.S.A.
It’s the first time New Zealand has ever had a competitor at the prestigious event. Kumeu-based Williamson earned the right to make the long trek after a stunning victory in the Freestyle at the 2017 Pacific League World Cup Dressage Final in Feilding earlier this month. Their 75.725% score was a personal best and the highest World Cup qualifying score for the Pacific region. On their way to the final, Williamson and Dejavu MH also set a New Zealand record in the Grand Prix with a mark of 71.22%.
“It is exciting and scary at the same time,” says Williamson, a mum of two who works as an environmental engineer.
The combination have been training with British trainer and judge Peter Storr this past week, and Williamson says it was big confidence-boost as they made that final decision to go to Omaha. Following the final, Williamson plans to return to Europe to compete at a few shows, potentially a CDI in France, before heading back to New Zealand.
“Peter thought it would be a good time for us to get in front of a lot of the international judges as part of our preparation for the 2018 World Equestrian Games – all things going well.” But for now, her thoughts are on the World Cup Final. “My best hope is that the horse comes through the 50-60 hours of travel unscathed and feels and performs similarly to how he did at Nationals.”
The good news is that she knows just where they can gain an extra point or two, and her recent work with Storr reinforced that.
“The horse feels the best he has ever felt and my training is going better and better every day,” said Williamson. “The goal has always been international competition and the judges all say he is truly an international horse . . . so we are hoping the travel goes smoothly and we are able to show them what we are capable of.”
Dejavu MH will travel with his groom Hannah Comrie to Amsterdam where they will join a charter flight with other dressage and show jumping horses heading to the final.
Text by Diana Dobsen, edited by Eurodressage - Photo © Libby Law
Related Links
Williamson First Kiwi to Qualify for World Cup Finals
Wendi Williamson Earns Ticket to Omaha after 2017 Pacific League World Cup Final Victory
Williamson and Dejavu MH Take Two at 2017 CDI-W Feilding