Bourg-en-Bresse, FRANCE: South Australian Jumping rider Amy Graham is on the verge of making her Olympic Games debut after a strong display at the opening round of the final nomination event in France overnight.
Amy Graham and Bella Baloubet Photo: Nicol Taylor
27 year old Graham and her grey gelding the 11 year old Bella Baloubet, jumped a clear opening round at the Bourg-en-Bresse CSI4* event and went on to finish an impressive third from a field of 75.
Despite recording an outstanding result, the first time Olympic hopeful, who relocated to Europe in 2009 to focus on her goal of representing Australia at the highest level, remains cautious as there is still Sunday’s Grand Prix to contest.
“It’s a fantastic feeling to be the top ranked Australian rider with just one round of Olympic Games selection to go, but still, anything can happen,” she said.
There are seven Australian Jumping combinations in action at Bourg-en-Bresse this weekend and all are vying for a position on the four member Olympic Games Jumping team. With one spot already occupied by Edwina Tops-Alexander, who received her second Olympic Games call-up through early nomination, riders are battling it out for three positions.
Australian riders will have a final opportunity to post a good performance when the Grand Prix gets underway on Sunday. Graham has automatically qualified for the competition as have compatriots Julia Hargreaves (Vedor) and Paul Athanasoff (Wirragulla Nicklaus). Remaining combinations will get another chance to qualify for Sunday’s finale later today.
For a full report on Australian performances visit http://www.aet.equestrian.org.au/?Page=29184. Further event information and rull results can be found at http://www.csi-bourg.com/programme.htm
Michelle Cook, Equestrian Australia
