Mary Hanna Aims for her Fourth Olympic Games

As 2010 represents the 10th anniversary of the Sydney Olympic Games it is appropriate to recognise one of Australia’s highest achievers in dressage. From the 28th to the 31st of October, the Sydney International Equestrian Centre will host the Bates Australian Dressage Championships. The International component of this event, the CDI-W (World Cup Qualifier) will be one of many to try and qualify her new horse, Sancette, for the London 2012 Olympic Games.



Mary Hanna has already represented Australia at 3 Olympic Games - 1996 at Atlanta on her horse, Mosaic - In Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 on one of her favourite horses, Limbo. Mary has also taken part at the Dressage World Championships (WEG) three times on Mosaic. And to top it off, Mary has been the Australian National Grand Prix Champion on six occasions.

Dressage is the art of schooling a horse beyond its latter day usefulness. It aims to
strengthen the partnership of horse and rider while at the same time increasing control, strength and beauty. This is achieved by years of patience, gymnastic exercises and dedication. Grand Prix is the highest level of dressage and is a wonderful way to experience the beauty of horse and man performing together as one.

Mary now lives with husband and business partner Rob at their beautiful property Statene
Park on the Bellarine Peninsula in Drysdale and she works as a full time Equestrian coach and dressage horse trainer. Mary holds a bachelor of teaching is currently the Coach for the Victorian Dressage team.

With only two years before the London 2012 Olympics, Mary and her new horse will have an arduous and highly competitive road to travel.

“My new horse Sancette, which I bought in June from Steffen Peters (who has recently won Individual Bronze at the 2010 World Equestrian Games), is my big hope to have a crack at a fourth Olympics. He is a nine year old gelding by Sandro Hit. I saw a video of him, and took a risk to go to the US to look at him, as I was captivated by his athletic movement, and elegance. After I bought him, I stayed in the US for two months, to train with Steffen, as he is an outstanding coach and rider.”

“I believe Sancette is the most talented horse I have ever owned, and I just hope I can ride
him well enough to do him justice. He is still a little inexperienced at this level, as he is only nine years old, and just starting out in Grand Prix. The Nationals will be his first CDI.”
The championships commence on Thursday morning and finishes at 4pm on Sunday. Over this time you can not only watch Olympic hopefuls such as Mary but you can also see and support some amazing riders and horses moving up through the ranks.

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