Previewing the 2014 Equestrian Grand Final

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Equestrian Australia is proud to announce the high quality Equestrian Grand Final fields which are rich in calibre across all three disciplines, including Olympians, World Equestrian Games representatives, international superstars and emerging combinations. 

Dressage

Australia’s top dressage combinations will be competing in this year’s Dressage Equestrian Grand Final. (View the Startlist).   

Three time Equestrian Grand Final champion Heath Ryan and his famous black stallion Regardez Moi are back to attempt a fourth consecutive victory. Ryan remains the undefeated Equestrian Grand Final Champion since the event’s inception in 2011 and the pair’s form is looking promising as they were recently crowned Australian Dressage Champions. 

“We certainly are as ready as we are going to be. Regardez Moi is going the best he has ever gone in his life, but he is 19, and I am very mindful of that,” said Ryan.

Ryan has had years of practise perfecting Regardez Moi’s ever important warm up and believes the key to success is precision.

“15 minutes, not 14 minutes, not 16 minutes, I’ve got it timed down to that,” said Ryan.

The CDI-W Grand Prix will be held on Friday 21 November, 9.30am – 12.30pm in The Grand Pavilion. Following this the top 12 combinations will progress to the CDI-W Freestyle which will be held on Saturday 22 November, 7.30pm - 10.30pm in The Grand Pavilion.

Jumping

Among the combinations fronting up for the Jumping Grand final is last year’s champion pairing of Tim Clarke and Caltango. (View the Startlist).   

Clarke and his twelve year old mare Caltango have enjoyed a successful twelve months and following their consistent World Cup placings they have secured the number one rank on the World Cup and Golden Grand (for best performing horse) leaderboards. Queensland rider Billy Raymont and Clarke had been neck and neck all year, but Clarke’s third placing at the recent Shepparton World Cup Qualifier has seen him climb in front.

“Billy Raymont is a very tough competitor to be up against, anytime you beat him you feel very lucky.

“My preparation (touch wood) is going quite well, she (Caltango) is fit and happy, last year in Sydney she loved the indoor at EQUITANA so I am hoping this year at Melbourne she will feel the same,” said a hopeful Clarke.

Round 1 of the Jumping commences on Thursday 20 November, 10.00am – 11.30am in The Grand Pavilion and the CSI-W begins on Friday 21 November, 7.30pm - 10.30pm, The Grand Pavilion.

Exhibition Eventing

The crowd pleased Exhibition Eventing field includes Australian Olympians Shane Rose, Megan Jones and Sonja Johnson, along with Germany’s Olympic and World Equestrian Games gold medallist Dirk Schrade. (View the Startlist).   

In the mix is Wallaby Hill qualifying champion Tim Boland who has recently returned from an overseas stint and will be competing on his newly imported 8 year old mare Wild Duchess.

The Melbourne Royal qualifying champions Katja Weimann and BP Cosmopolitan are fresh from a dream showjumping round at the Australian International Three Day Event that was faultless by name and faultless by nature.

Exhibition Eventing will be held on the outdoor arena of the Melbourne Showgrounds on Thursday 20 November with the Dressage beginning at 12.30pm and the Jumping Phase from 6.00pm

The 2014 Equestrian Grand Final is presented by Equestrian Australia and EQUITANA Australia and supported by Gow Gates Insurance Brokers and IRT.

More information:

Quick Links

• For a full list of starters please visit the EGF website www.Equestrian.org.au/GrandFinal