Watermark Grayson now nominated for WEG
The Mitsubishi Motors Hartpury Horse Trials ia a popular event in the UK and one which had increased significance this year as an event that the Australian selectors had an eye on. Things started well for the Aussies in one of the two sections of the the Three Star class with Sam Griffiths (AUS) in 1st place on Happy Times 41.2 and Bill Levett (AUS) on One Two Many NJ 44.0 equal 2nd with Laura Collett (GBR) riding Ginger May Killinghurst 44.0. Paul Tapner and Inonothing were a little off the pace in the same section on 50.2. After the dressage and show jumping both Bill and One Two Many NJ and Laura Collett (GBR) and Ginger May Killinghurst had jumped super clear rounds to take equal 1st place, Happy Times and Sam however had two fences and 3 time penalties dropping them down the line. Unfortunately Bill had 12.8 time faults cross country which meant he finished in 7th place on 56.8 and Sam added 15.2 time penalties to his score, ending on a total of 67.4 in 19th place. Paul Tapner also had 8.8 time faults cross country which, combined with a rail down and 1 time fault meant that he finished in 16th place on 64. Not a good day at the office for the Aussie boys who would probably have been hoping for a much better outing in their lead-up to the selection decision on September 2nd. All eyes now turn to the Sydney International 3DE at SIEC from 26th-29th August where the competition will be hotly contested by Sydney 2000 Gold medallist Stuart Tinney, 2008 Beijing Olympic silver medallists Megan Jones, Sonja Johnson and Shane Rose and the up and coming Chris Burton, winner of the HSBC World Cup Qualifier at Sydney 2010. Stuart Tinney is high on the selectors list with consistent performances on both his leading horses Vettori and Panamera. Vettori won the Adelaide CCI4* in 2009 and placed fourth at the recent Melbourne CCI3*, close behind Panamera who was 2nd. Stuart's other grey horse, the aptly named Watermark Grayson has also been nominated for the WEG and you would imagine therefore that Stuart would also be competing him at this crucial selection event. The two Aussie based female silver medallists from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Megan Jones and Sonja Johnson, are also in great form and will be looking for spots on the WEG team to upgrade their bronze medals from Aachen in 2006. Sonja won the Melbourne CCI3* held in June and Megan won the 2010 World Cup round in New Zealand and was a very close 2nd in the Australian 2010 World Cup, just behind Chris Burton and Holstein Park Leilani. Chris is yet to represent Australia but his rising form is placing him directly in the selectors sights. Last year's winner of the Sydney 3DE and Olympic gold medallist Wendy Schaeffer, who has taken her great showjumping mare to Europe to aim for selection in the Australian showjumping team, must be kicking herself at this stage that she isn't allowed to compete in two disciplines and "do a Toddy"! There is no doubt that, when the chips are down, experienced competitors such as Wendy, Stuart, Megan and Sonja usually put their best foot forward. However, it will be Wendy's turn to show what she is made of next weekend at the showjumping selection trial at Hachenburg CSI3* in Germanyand we wish her the best of luck!
