Hanna leads dressage nomination series

Australian dressage riders competing at Fritzens CDI4*, have posted strong scores in the Grand Prix overnight in a bid to secure one of four team positions for the upcoming 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games.

The standout performance of the day came from triple World Equestrian Games representative Mary Hanna and her London Olympic mount Sancette with the pair achieving a personal best Grand Prix score of 70.420%.

“I was so pleased with Sancette. He is really starting to be very consolidated in his work, thanks to my brilliant trainer Patrik Kittel who has really helped me get more steadiness and a better connection, and Sancette has responded so well to his system of training.”

An additional four Australian combinations were in action on Friday, including Kristy Oatley and Ronan 2 who also recorded a new personal best in the Grand Prix after judges awarded the pair’s test 69.300.

In one of the biggest moments of her competitive career, 27 year old Brianna Burgess also had the additional pressure of being the first rider to go in the field of 31 and she and her mount La Scala produced a pleasing test that received a score of 68.820.  

London Olympian and 2010 WEG representative Lyndal Oatley and her mount Sandro Boy were just behind Burgess on the scoreboard, receiving 68.420.

In their first competition since arriving in Europe in May, Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina received a score of 67.400.

Hanna said the Camaraderie within the Australian camp was strong.

“Of course every one of the riders here is trying their hearts out to make the team, but tonight when we all got together for dinner there was a great feeling amongst everyone. We all suffer the same hardships, the ups and downs of dressage, which at the end of the day brings us together.

“I think it was a great result for Australia, and every rider put in a very good performance.”

Riders will now head to Deauville France in three weeks’ time for the second and final nomination event. Following the second round a ranking list will be created by averaging the results for each combination from the Grand Prix class of each nomination event*. The top 4 ranked combinations from this ranking list will be selected to compete as part of Australia’s WEG team. (To view the selection policy click HERE).

In Saturdays' Grand Prix Qualifier for the GP Freestyle, Kristy Oatley and Louisa 34 received a score of 63.980%. With the first nomination series now concluded the standings are as follows:

1. Mary Hanna and Sancette - 70.420%

2. Kristy Oatley and Ronan 2 - 69.300%

3. Brianna Burgess and La Scala - 68.820%

4. Lyndal Oatley and Sandro Boy - 68.420%

5. Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina 4 - 67.400%

6. Kristy Oatley and Louisa 34 - 63.980%

Meantime, jumping riders have had their first test overnight completing the qualifying round of the Mohns CSI4* with the standout performance coming from James Paterson-Robinson (Boris) who progressed to the jump-off after going clear in the first round. The position will become clearer in the race for the two positions on the Australian jumping team decided through automatic nomination once riders take part in Sunday’s Grand Prix.

*Fritzens’ show rules permit each rider only one entry per Grand Prix therefore Kristy Oatley and Louisa 34 will compete in Saturday’s GP qualifier for the Grand Prix Freestyle.  The combination will complete the same FEI test in front of the same judges as Friday’s GP qualifier for the GP Special.