Australian Dressage News

Australia's Final Chance for Athens Glory

April 19, 2004

Australia's equestrian dressage riders are preparing for one last chance to gain Athens selection at the upcoming International Dressage competition in Sydney, in the hotly contested Grand Prix.

The event, the Sydney CDI*** will be staged from April 28 to May 2 at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park.

For former Australian national champion Mary Hanna, it's a chance she's hoping to take with both hands. Hanna was the National Grand Prix Champion in 2003 and the winner of the CDI-W (World Cup Qualifier) held at the National Championships in 2003.

"I'm normally a very self-motivated person, but for a competition of this calibre it's even easier, as there is so much at stake," she said. "It is the last competition for selection before Athens, so that in itself is a large motivator."

She said a rider had certain responsibilities towards training their horses to compete at this level with this intensity. "Horses need to be worked and looked after everyday- this in itself is a huge commitment, and involves a lot of self motivation," she said. Her goal for the CDI*** is to try to achieve selection for Athens.

"I know it will be more difficult to get an Australian representative into the dressage at the Olympics, due to the fact that we are not the host nation this time, but I will never give up trying."

A strong Australian field will be joined by some select international riders in this premier dressage event.

Image copyrighted: Arnd Bronkhorst - No reproduction allowed

Related Links
Kristy Oatley-Nist and Quando Quando Surprize All
Ricky MacMillan, 2004 Australian Dressage Champion
2004 Australian Dressage Squads Released