Dressage-News

HASTINGS, New Zealand, Mar. 17–Louisa Hill and Bates Antonello easily won the Grand Prix at the Horse of the Year show Saturday, the first competition for the pair since leading New Zealand to qualify their first Olympic dressage team.

Louisa and the 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Anamour x Flair x Winnebago) scored 68.61 per cent. The combination is the only pair to complete the New Zealand qualifying criteria to compete at London this summer.

Nicky Pope and Fabarchie, who were also on the squad that traveled to Australia for the Olympic team qualifying competition, posted a score of 64.48 per cent, a personal best.

““I’m absolutely thrilled with him,” she said. “My game plan today was to ask for a little more of him and he delivered.”

The pair had to retire from the Grand Prix at the past two Horse of the Year Shows when Fabarchie reacting to the atmosphere.

“I think a lot of it comes down the experience of going abroad with him,” she said. “He felt really relaxed today and there’s still plenty more in the tank.”

Results:

1. Louisa Hill – Bates Antonello 68.61%
2. Nicky Pope – Fabarchie 64.48%
3. Bill Noble – Airthrey Highlander 61.83%
4. Hannah Appleton – Fiber Fresh Zactac 61.78%
5. Christine Weal – Spielzeit 60.38%
6. Debbie Barke – Mzungu 58.80%