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The Equestrian Grand Final Heats Up

Published on Thursday, September 15, 2011 in General

With just one qualifier left for each discipline the leader boards for the Equestrian Grand Final are almost final and the excitment is building.

Last weekend saw the Dressage qualifying series move to Tamworth. The NSW Dressage Championships 8-11 September hosted the fourth Equestrian Grand Final qualification event.

Fourteen horses started in the Grand Prix.  Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi were the only combination already in the top 12 (automatic qualification cut off) on the Equestrian Grand Final leader board, so plenty of riders were aiming to reshape the rankings.

One such rider was Rozzie Ryan riding Olivia Bunn’s former 3-star eventer GV Bullwinkle. Following their small tour success all eyes were on this combination and they did not disappoint. Scoring 70.700% to win the Grand Prix Freestyle this combination have now moved into 4th place on the Equestrian Grand Final leader board.

Husband Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi put in a good performance scoring 69.450% to finish as runner-up in the Grand Prix Freestyle.  This is their best result in the qualifying series to date however they remain in sixth place on the leader board.  A clash of dates meant that Heath was not able to ride at the Sydney International Three-Day Event.  As most people know Heath’s passion for riding is split between Dressage and Eventing so he is glad that his Tamworth trip was well worthwhile.
Breaking onto the Equestrian Grand Final leader board for the first time was 32 year-old Kate Taylor-Wheat and Oscar B. Third place in the Grand Prix Freestyle on a score of 67.950% has shot them into 9th place in the rankings.
Nadia Coghlan and Northern Campion were sitting just outside the automatic qualification cut off at number 13 on the leader board prior to the Tamworth event.  They have improved their position to 11th after scoring 67.250% for 4th place.
These riders will be aiming to push their way up the order. Riders are able to compete at all of the qualification events with their best score to count. At the completion of the qualifying series the top 12 combinations gain automatic eligibility for the Equestrian Grand Final whilst Equestrian Australia will grant an additional three wild cards.
Following Tamworth, the final Dressage qualifier will be at the 07-09 October at Queensland State Dressage Championships (Gatton, Qld). This is the final opportunity for riders to post a good score on the board and gain automatic qualification. The Equestrian Grand Final- Dressage will be held at EQUITANA, Sydney. The Dressage Grand Prix (CDI-W) will be held on Friday morning 11 November, whilst the exciting Freestyle will be held on Saturday night from 7.30pm.
See the Equestrian Grand Final Dressage leader board [here].
The fourth Jumping qualifier was held at Adelaide Royal Show CSI-W on 09 September. The three new names to qualify for the Equestrian Grand Final are Victorian Tim Clarke (Caltango), 18-year-old super-star Tom McDermott (SL Limerick) and seasoned South Australian Anthony Thomas (NZPH Levitation).
Jamie Kermond and Colthaga were placed second in Adelaide however as they are already qualified 4th placed Thomas was able to claim a spot. The top three placed combinations from each jumping qualifier gain automatic eligibility for the Equestrian Grand Final, if already qualified the entry moves down to the next best placed combination.
These riders now join the impressive list of horses and riders already on the start list for EQUITANA, including  Cathy Graham (Da Vinci’s Pride), Billy Raymont (Coratflex Nicalette NZPH) , Clem Smith (Dark Ages), Vicki Roycroft (Kartoon de Breve) and Andrew Inglis (Amira). Australia’s best will be jumping for their stake in the $20,000 prize pool at offered at the Equestrian Grand Final. See the full list of qualified jumping combinations [here].  
Following Adelaide the jumping riders will have one more chance to qualify, at Royal Melbourne Show CSI-W on 02 October.
The final Exhibition Eventing qualifier will take place on 30 September at Royal Melbourne Show. A mixture of experienced 4-star riders including Will Enzinger, Emily Anker and Natalie Davies as well as Katja Weimann aboard her 2011 Melbourne CCI2* winner BP Cosmopolitan are among the line-up. The action will be fast and furious. Guest commentator and eventing specialist Sharon Ridgway will be sure to keep the crowd well informed and entertained. Dressage will take place from 10:30am followed by the exciting jumping course (combining cross-country and show jumps) will be held under lights from 6:00pm. For more information on the Royal Melbourne Show please go to http://www.royalshow.com.au
Stay tuned to the Equestrian Grand Final page  on the Equestrian Australia website for all the Equestrian Grand Final news and information – expect an exciting announcement soon regarding international competitors taking part in the Equestrian Grand Final at EQUITANA. 

Quick Links


 

  • The Exhibition Eventing leader board can be viewed [here]

  • Book your tickets for EQUITANA, Sydney at  www.equitana.com.au

Story: Equestrian Australia


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