More news | Features | Blogs | Horse Health | Ask the Experts | Horse Breeding | Forms | Home

The four Kiwis went up against two Australians at the Olympic qualifier at the Australian Dressage Championships in Sydney yesterday. Athens Olympian Louisa Hill on Bates Antonello was the best performed, scoring 66.13 percent in the grand prix, with Vanessa Way and KH Arvan 65.51 percent, Nicola Pope on Fabarchie 63.13 percent and Shiwon Green on Gosh 61.36 percent. The best three scores will count towards the final result which will not be known until the other half of the Australian team and the full South African contingent compete next week in Ermelo, the Netherlands.

Two of the Australian team competed yesterday - Rachael Sanna on Jaybee Alabaster scored 69.09 percent, and Chantal Wigan scored 62.47 percent on Ferero.

Equestrian Sports New Zealand high performance director Sarah Harris said she was delighted with the performance of the whole team.

"If you put our two top scores against the Australian scores today, we are .1% ahead - that is simply brilliant at this stage of the competition and really puts the pressure on the other half of the Australian team when they compete next week."

Harris said that all of the Kiwi team had ridden very solidly.

"Louisa came into the event with less than ideal preparation after breaking her hand a couple of months ago. She only got out of plaster in the last month, so to post a result like that is amazing. It shows the true professional she is."

She also paid tribute to Way, and says she's confident there are even better scores to come from that combination as they work towards competing in London next year.

"This team has worked very well together, and been diligent in their preparation for such an important event."

Travelling reserve Kieryn Walton (Taumarunui) on Saraceni rode as an individual and scored 58.45%.

The two best-placed teams out of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will qualify team positions for London. Japan was a surprise late withdrawal from the qualifier.

If the bid is unsuccessful, there is an opportunity for New Zealand to qualify an individual position in April next year.