Rachael Sanna and Louisa Hill Riding High at Saddleworld Dressage Festival

Louisa Hill and Bates Antonello competing at Equitana

Louisa Hill has had a brilliant start at the Saddleworld Dressage Festival in Werribee, Australia, on Friday night with a second placing in one of the top classes at the event.

Riding her 10-year-old gelding Bates Antonello, the Athens Olympian finished second behind Australian champ Rachael Sanna on Jaybee Alabaster in the first round of the FEI Pacific League World Cup final. Hill’s score of 69.936% was just short of Sanna’s 71.128%. 

They will once again battle it out in the freestyle tomorrow night, with the two scores added together to decide the winner of the league.

Tonight’s score reinforces Hill’s quest for the London Olympics as it meets the strict selection criteria set down by the Equestrian Sports New Zealand and the New Zealand Olympic Committee. She now has the required scores to make her eligible for selection for the games.

Meanwhile, it was a tough day for New Zealand’s para-dressage riders who had three finish in fourth place.

The New Zealand team is going head to head against Australia for the single Oceania spot for the 2012 Paralympics. That too will be decided late Saturday night.

Results -

Grand prix CDI-W Pacific League World Cup final (first round – second is the freestyle tomorrow night): Rachael Sanna (Aus) Jaybee Alabaster 71.128% 1, Louisa Hill (NZL) Bates Antonello 69.936% 2, Chantelle Wigan (Aus) Ferero 68.085% 3, Rozzie Ryan (Aus) GV Bullwinkle 67.979% 3.

 

Para-dressage results -

Para-equestrian grade 1A team test: Donna Ponessa (USA) Don Armani 70.588% 1, Rob Oakley (New South Wales) Statford Mantovani 68.431% 2, Jan Pike (NSW) Pinky 65..882% 3, Ilona Lawrence (Blenheim/NZL) Taihoa Kingsmoor 64.902% 4, Anne Watts (Auckland/NZL) BJK Cashmir 55.247% 9.

Para-equestrian grade III team test: Erin Alberda (USA) Southern Cross Tamaris 66.913% 1, Chelsea Higgins (Aus) Holstein Park Comedian 64.259% 2, Beth-Anne Schroen (Victoria) Riedel 63.457% 3, Rachel Stock (Auckland/NZL) Rimini Park Emmerich 63.395% 4.

para-equestrian grade II team test: Becca Hart (USA) Southern Cross Tamaris 69.048% 1, Grace Bowman (South Africa) Kirby Park Joy 66.905% 2, Fleur Lister (Western Australia) Penroben Augustus 63.016% 3, Anthea Gunner (Christchurch/NZL) Huntingdale Incognito 62.302% 4, Frances Dick (Nelson/NZL) Kendalee CD Rom 50.397% 8.

Story: Diana Dobson/ESNZ

Quick Link

• View full results at www.equestrianvictoriaevents.com.au