Mary Hanna and her WEG mount Sancette
Mary Hanna and Umbro have won the Pacific League World Cup Final Grand Prix Freestyle and in doing so have earned the right to start at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final to be held in Las Vegas in April.
It would be Hanna’s fifth appearance at a World Cup Final and her second start in as many years after the four-time Olympian represented Australia at the 2014 Final with her Olympic and World Equestrian Games mount Sancette.
On their way to winning Saturday's Freestyle the combination received a score of 71.650% and for Hanna it was a nostalgic night.
"It was actually Limbo's music. (Hanna competed with Limbo at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games).
"It is quite a difficult freestyle. We had a few moments but basically I'm really happy with him.
"I've only had a short time with him since I've been back (from Europe) but he just keeps getting better and better each time," said Hanna.
Hanna had to fend off stiff competition from Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi who finished marginally behind with a score 71.200%.
Youth Development Squad rider Katharine Farrell and her mount Luxor 118 finished in the top three receiving a score of 70.675%. It is a tremendous achievement for the 19 year old who has only been competing at Grand Prix level since last year.
Mary Hanna and Umbro also won the Pacific League World Cup Final Grand Prix, contested on Friday when they were the only combination to score greater than 70 percent, receiving a mark of 70.620%.
