France produces a feast of victories for Australian equestrians
There were two major victories for Australian equestrians in France overnight with Jumping's Alison Rowland winning the La Boissiere CSI3* Grand Prix and event rider Bill Levett claiming the Saumur CCI3*.
With his win at Saumur, Levett maintains Australia’s supremacy at this event, becoming the third Aussie in as many years to win the title. In 2012 it was Chris Burton who topped the leader board while in 2011 Clayton Fredericks was crowned champion.
Partnering with Shannondale Titan, a 10 year old bay gelding by Limmerick, Levett produced faultless cross country and show jumping rounds and finished on his dressage score of 42.60. There were only three combinations which produced a clear show jumping round and just two which finished on their dressage scores.
The only Australian combination in this year’s line-up were consistent across all three phases and Levett was pleased with the stamina his horse displayed in what was his first outing at a CCI3* event.
“Alfie (Shannondale Titan) dug deep, answered all the questions and galloped home clear inside the time to leave us in the lead.
“The course was strong but with forward positive riding it worked ok. Fence 14 was a four star question - you jumped over a bank, two very long strides to an angled brush with a big drop behind it, then two long strides to another angled brush,” he said.
The Australian anthem rang out for a second time in France on Sunday after Alison Rowland defeated a 60 strong field to win the La Boissiere CSI3* Grand Prix.
It is Rowland’s first major victory in the northern hemisphere for 2013.
With Bickley Brook Bella – the mare which dominated the Australian World Cup Jumping circuit in 2012, Rowland was one of only two riders to produce two clear rounds in Sunday’s Grand Prix. The Australian’s time in the second round was signifantly faster than the British combination of Samuel Hutton and Heidi Du Ruisseau Z which finished in second.
Rowland and Bickley Brook Bella were recently named in Australia’s Nations Cup Team which will compete at the Lisbon CSIO3* event from 6-9 June.
26 May 2013
Australia third at Houghton Hall while Levett leads at Saumur
Australia finished third in the FEI Eventing Nations Cup at Houghton Hall overnight while across the Channel, Bill Levett is leading the Saumur CCI3* heading into the Sunday's deciding phase.
If Levett can maintain his lead he will be the third Australian rider in as many years to win this event following Chris Burton’s victory in 2012 and Clayton Fredericks’ win in 2011.
Levett is competing on Shannondale Titan a 10 year old bay gelding by Limmerick. Their clear cross country round sees them head into Sunday’s show jumping phase on their dressage score of 42.60.
(Results from Saumur are available http://www.saumur.org/cci/accueil-gb.html).
Meanwhile the Australian team of Andrew Hoy, Lucinda Fredericks, Kevin McNab and Emma Dougall has finished the British leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup in the bronze medal position.
McNab and Clifton Pinot finished the event on their dressage score to be the best placed Australian combination in 10th position.)
25 May 2013
Overnight results from Houghton Hall CICO3*
Australian team placings following the dressage phase at Houghton Hall CICO3*:
=3rd Andrew Hoy Rutherglen 40.70
5th Lucinda Fredericks 41.30
=34th Kevin McNab 54.20
=43rd Emma Dougall 56.00
Australian combinations which are competing individually at this event are occupying the following positions:
2nd Andrew Hoy Cheeky Calimbo 40.10
19th Sam Griffiths Real Dancer 45.00
=34th Matt Ryan Bonza Moorabinda 54.20
61st Kevin McNab Fernhill Quality Street 61.20
24 May 2013
Hoy leads at Houghton Hall CICO3*
With his Olympic mount Rutherglen, Hoy is in equal first position after scoring 40.70 in the dressage phase overnight. He shares top position on the leaderboard with Bettina Hoy of Germany.
Fellow Australian team member, Kevin McNab (Clifton Pinot) also completed his dressage phase on the opening day of competition and is in 16th position after scoring 54.20.
Sam Griffiths is competing as an individual at this event with the 12 year old gelding Real Dancer and together they are sitting in 4th position after they were awarded 45.00 for their dressage test.
Australia’s remaining team members Lucinda Fredericks and Emma Dougall will complete their dressage tests on Friday and are facing grim skies and possible wet conditions.
“At the moment the weather forecast is terrible so who knows what will happen and all we can do is our best,” Lucinda said.
The two-time Olympian is eager to get back to competing after an injury earlier in the year put her on the sideline.
“My preparation has been as good as expected considering I didn't sit on a horse for 6 weeks. My team at home have been amazing and I hope I can do us all proud.
“It's always really good competing in a team event as it puts a little bit of extra pressure on me to do well for Australia as well as myself,” she said.
Futher information is available on the event website http://www.houghtoninternational.co.uk/
Six in the mix for FEI Eventing Nations Cup at Houghton Hall
Australia will be one of six nations competing at this weekend's FEI Eventing Nations Cup at Houghton Hall.
Representing Australia in the British leg of the seven round series is:
Lucinda Fredericks Flying Finish
Andrew Hoy Rutherglen
Kevin McNab Clifton Pinot
Emma Dougall Kelecyn Ice Age
With Olympians Hoy and Fredericks competing on their Olympic mounts, this year's Australian team will be a fierce chance to improve upon the second place which last year's team achieved at this event.
The FEI Eventing Nations Cup is a seven round series which offers the world’s top eventing nations a rare chance to compete in a team’s style event. The series has returned in 2013 following a hugely successful inaugural season.
Germany is currently leading the 2013 series and will have a strong team this weekend led by double Olympic gold medallist Ingrid Klimke and Tabasco TSF. Ingrid is joined by Bettina Hoy and Lanfranco TSF, CCI** winners at Houghton in 2010, Benjamin Winter on Wild Thing Z and Julia Krajewski riding Lost Prophesy.
Action begins later today and runs through until Sunday.
Futher information is available on the event website http://www.houghtoninternational.co.uk/
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