New Zealand and Australia contested the first leg of the Regional Olympic Qualifier for Dressage held today at the 2011 Australian Dressage Championships at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre. Australia had two riders compete in Sydney, while New Zealand fielded its entire team.
Australia presented two riders with the remaining two to compete at the second leg of the qualifier in Ermelo (NED) 2 November. A South African team will also compete in Ermelo. New Zealand fielded their full team today in Sydney. Two of the three teams will qualify for the 2012 Games.
The New Zealand Team finished with a total score of 194.77. Louisa Hill and Antonello posted the highest percentage for the Kiwis (66.13%) followed by Vanessa Way on KH Arvan then Nicky Pope on Fabarchie The discard score was Shiwon Green on Gosh.
First out for the Australia was Chantal Wigan (Qld) and Ferero. They performed a solid test but had a mistake in the tempi changes and also a glitch in the first pirouette. The horse looked magnificent and worked solidly throughout the test.
“Overall I was pleased with the test, obviously the errors were costly and I am disappointed that the score wasn’t a little better,” commented Wigan. “I lost a little power in the changes, I was trying some new things and that was the result but I felt he was working really well.”
This is the lowest Grand Prix score for the pair in a long time, however on a positive note they received their best marks from Stephen Clarke (GBR) who will be the Head of the Ground Jury at the London Games. Clarke rewarded the pair with 64.04%
The second and final team rider for Australia was Rachael Sanna and Jaybee Alabaster. It was a very shaky start as Alabaster broke dramatically in first extended trot and required a very strong reminder from Sanna that he was supposed to be listening to her. To his credit Alabaster recovered very well to perform a lovely test scoring 69.09%. Sanna received 72.13% from Clarke.
Alabaster was in a mood according to Sanna, “He was on edge and it wasn’t going to take much, the cameras were enough to set him off,” she said. “But he recovered really well which I am very pleased about. He did some of his best work and I am really happy with him.”
This leaves Australia on a score of 131.58 after two riders. In order to qualify for London Australia must beat either New Zealand; requiring a score of 63.20% or better from either of our remaining riders (Mary Hanna and Sancette or Lyndal Oatley on Potifar) at Ermelo, or beat South Africa who will field their whole team at Ermelo.
Australia
- Rachael Sanna - Jaybee Alabaster - 69.11%
- Chantal Wigan - Ferero - 62.47%
New Zealand
- Louisa Hill - Antonello - 66.13%
- Vanessa Way - KH Arvan - 65.51%
- Nicky Pope - Fabarchie - 63.13%
- Shiwon Green - Gosh - 61.36% (discard score)
- Team total --- 194.77
Photo © Franz Venhaus
Related Links
Scores 2011 CDI-W Sydney
Day One of the 2011 Australian Dressage Championships