John Thompson on Antonello Win Melbourne World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle
10 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on John Thompson on Antonello Win Melbourne World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle
MELBOURNE, Australia, June 7, 2015–John Thompson on Bates Antonello won the Melbourne World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle, in only their seventh start since the pair began competing at international level less than three months ago.
The 25-year-old rider, who switched back to Australian citizenship from New Zealand earlier this year, and Antonello scored 71.175 per cent for the win. The 13-year-old New Zealand-bred Hanoverian gelding was previously competed by Louisa Hill but she sold the horse after competing for New Zealand at the London Olympic Games in 2012.
Judges Cara Whitham of Canada awarded John and the 13-year-old New Zealand-bred Hanoverian gelding the duo 74.250 per cent and Charlotte Bredahl of the United States scored the combination 73.125 per cent while the two Australian judges, Ricky MacMillan and Virginia Creed, gave scores of 67.250 per cent and 68.500 per cent, respectively.
Australian World Games team rider Maree Tomkinson on Diamantina was second on 70.850 per cent and Susanne Hearn on Remmington third on 68.825 per cent.
The Melbourne World Cup Freestyle is the second of six World Cup events in the Asia/Pacific League, though all are held in Australia. A league final in December will determine the single rider to go to the Final in 2016
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