Australia and Japan qualified for dressage OG Hong
Kong
By Berni Saunders and Claartje van Andel for dressagedirect
The Olympian venue in Horsley Park near Sydney was flooded
this week and so the Asia-Pacific Regional Olympic Qualifying
Assessment in Sydney had to be postponed and replaced. However
this didn’t influence the results and team spirit of the
Australian squad who took over the lead from the Japanese
riders. They had their Assessment in Cannes last week.
Mariette Withages: “Amazingly winner Brett Parbery scored the
same points as the Japanese Hoketsu last week in Cannes:
66,917%. As the total of the Australian team was a bit higher,
this team was the first to qualify for the OG.”
Brett Parbery partnering the imposing
Victory Salute Picture Franz Venhaus www.equestrian.org.au/
As is known the Beijing Olympics will be held at the Sha
Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong in August this year. The
qualification is a historical highlight for Australia and the
first time Australia has qualified a team for the Olympics,
even though Australia was given team entry in 2000, a
privilege afforded to the host nation.
The qualification is a historical
highlight for Australia Picture Franz Venhaus www.equestrian.org.au/
Mariette Withages: “All Australian horses had grown a bit
due to the lack of show routine but it was a great opportunity
for them to start show routine again. All riders were happy
for the chance offered. All judges were happy being able to do
this busy schedule France-Australia-New Zealand and with the
great atmosphere.” It was even like the judges also had been
chosen because of our size, Mariette Withages joked. “The
suitcase of Minako Furuoka got lost in Sydney, however Mary
Seefried and me just could share our belongings and the
problem was solved!”
Talking about Olympic spirit: judges shared belongings in
New Zealand, horses shared scores as the winners from Cannes
and Sydney both scored 66,917%!
Australia's home based riders (along with New Zealand
hopeful Nicole Magoffin) met head-to-head to impress the
judges. NSW professional and former Australian buck jump
champion Brett Parbery rode Carolyn Lieutenant’s imposing 18
hand French Anglo Arab/Percheron cross gelding Victory Salute
to a clear 2% win on a score of 66.917%. He took over the lead
from the flamboyant and talented Heath Ryan on the well
performed import, Greenoaks Dundee owned by Clyde Wunderwald.
They scored 64.78%.
The flamboyant and talented Heath Ryan on
the well performed import, Greenoaks Dundee Picture Franz Venhaus www.equestrian.org.au/
In third place was Rozzie Ryan riding the elegant
Donnerhall mare Donna Carrera, who was imported by Clyde
Wunderwald but later sold to her present owner Susie Duddy.
Rozzie was just behind her husband Heath on a score of 64.542%
and the Ryans look to make the 2008 Olympics the realisation
of a family dream now. Rozzie was just pipped for a spot on
the Aussie team for the Sydney 2000 Games and she has kept her
dream alive for 8 years.
Rozzie Ryan aboard her elegant Donnerhall
mare Donna Carrera Picture Berni Saunders www.cyberhorse.net.au/
European based Victorian rider Maree Tomkinson faced the
judges in France last week, where the Japanese hopefuls
were assessed. Maree was riding the elegant bay gelding
Lanzaro there. They posted a score of 63.708% which
after Sydney’s event became the discard score.
Jody Hartstone riding Landioso Picture courtesy www.karioisporthorses.co.nz/
In New Zealand On Thirsday Februar 7th the winner was Jody
Hartstone riding Landioso (60,292%). Mariette Withages: “A
Japanese delegation followed us from France to Australia to
New Zealand to witness all riders and scores with their own
eyes. All riders in Australia and also New Zealand were very
nervous and aware of their responsibility. However, we found
the lack of good basics a problem witnessing the new Zealand
rides. A lot of improvement is in the basics.”
Kallista
Field became runner up showing her mother’s Soda (59,708%).
Bill Nobel rode his thoroughbred Vincent St James to third
position (57,875%).
Queensland based "Kiwi" Nicole Magoffin threw her hat into
the ring in Sydney riding her own Jaybee Anzac. Anzac was bred
close to Nicole’s home at Jaybee Stud and is by Bev and John
Edwards proven stallion Archimedes (Argentinus line) out
of an Australian TB mare. Nicole has trained her
horse from his first days under saddle so a place on the NZ
team would have been a dream come true. Her score was the
score to disregard for New Zealand, so she has to keep up
hopes for better times.
Total scores Olympic Assessments France, Australia and New
Zealand
Australia
196.167
Qualified
Japan
194.792
Qualified
New
Zealand
178.300
Not Qualified
Find the scores of the Japanese riders in Cannes here.
For more information visit www.equestrian.org.au, www.nzequestrian.org.nz/
or
www.dressagenz.org.nz/
