Overseas news
MARY Hanna continues her World Championships campaign on Calanta, finishing fourth in the CDI3* Grand Prix in Hagen, Germany, scoring 70.478 per cent.
"So thrilled with Calanta today,” Hanna said. “ Fourth place in the Grand Prix for 70.47 per cent. Now I have both Syriana and Cally qualified for the World Championships and possible selection for the Australian team.”
IN showjumping, Australia will field a team for the CSIO5* Nations Cup competition to be held in Vancouver, Canada, at Thunderbird Show Park from May 31 to June 5.
Those riding are Matt Williams, Rowan Willis, Katie Lawrie and James Arkins. Arkins and Eurostar I finished on the podium in third place in the CSI3* Grand Prix at Kentucky Horse Park USA, jumping two faultless rounds in the famed Rolex Stadium.
"I am absolutely thrilled! What a great start to this leg of our trip. Can’t wait to see what unfolds," he said.
SIMONE Pearce has left her employer of four years, Gestut Sprehe, to ride for Gestut Bonhomme, taking over the position of Lena Waldmann who decided to go independent.
She leaves behind her Tokyo Olympic equine partner, the black stallion Destano, but says “I can’t find better words to describe this special opportunity myself. I am so unbelievably happy and grateful for this amazing chance.”
Pearce will make her show debut aboard Gestut Bonhomme’s Fiderdance, hoping to get a good enough score to make the Australian team at the 2022 FEI World Championships.
AUSTRALIAN carriage driver Tor Van Den Berge is putting in the effort with his young team to make the Australian team at the World Championships.
“The plan for the CAI 3* WcupQ Kronenberg was to see what the judges thought of this talented, green team,” Den Berge said. “(We had) some costly, inexperienced mistakes as a new team but we really couldn't have been happier with them and it's good to see the judges thought the same thing placing them 10th in the dressage in a tough field.
“With no experience together in marathon, two horses that have never done a CAI competition and a difficult course the only goal was to trot around and finish with happy horses gaining confidence together as a team - and they certainly did that. The difference from the first obstacle to the last was incredible and it showed that the plan worked as they really came together as a team in the cones. We're certainly excited for the season ahead and the future of this team.”
RYAN Wood is another Aussie that has set up a successful stable in the USA.
His Woodstock Eventing Stables in Pennsylvania is producing some good horses and with Cooley Flight he was in eighth place at the CCI4*-S at Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort USA.
"Cooley Flight jumped clear around his first 4* cross-country at Tryon with energy for more at the base of their hill,” Wood said. “Owner Linda Ledray and I are excited for this horse’s future and summer plans.”
RIGHT: Ryan Wood on Cooley Flight. Picture FEI
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