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2003
European Dressage Championships
Sue Hearn Added to Australian Dressage Team for
Olympic Qualifier
July 15, 2003
 The
EFA, the Equestrian Federation of Australia, is pleased
to announce that NSW rider Sue Hearn and her 14-year-old
thoroughbred gelding Manhattan will travel to England
as the reserve combination for the Australian team to
compete at the Open European Dressage Championships
in August. This event is the last opportunity for Australia
to qualify a team for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
The EFA had originally planned to send four combinations
to Hickstead. However, with the selection of two Europe-based
riders, Kristy Oatley-Nist and Emma Youngman, on to
the team, it was decided that due to the importance
of the event as a qualifier for Athens, sending a reserve
combination from Australia was appropriate. This will
be Sue's first overseas experience with her horse. Even
if she is not required at Hickstead, it will provide
a valuable experience for Sue and Manhattan.
EFA High Performance Manager Gareth McKeen commented:
“When we planned to send only four riders and horses
to Hickstead, there was an element of risk associated
with not having a travelling reserve. We had discussed
this with the riders prior to selection and all seemed
to recognise the rationale behind this decision, which
was based primarily on funding. However, we now feel
that with Ricky MacMillan withdrawing from the team,
it was important to have a reserve on hand if needed.”
“We also recognise”, Mr. McKeen added, “that Sue would
gain significant benefit from the overseas experience
and from being part of an Australian team. The decision
thus has two aims: to qualify a team for the Olympics
and to provide valuable experience for Sue and her horse.
Whilst Sue is one of the most consistent elite competitors
in Australia, she has not had exposure to overseas competition
and travel."
The EFA is currently entering Sue into the CDI** Fry's
(GBR) and CDI*** Rotterdam (NED), providing the combination
with international competition if they are not required
for the team at the Open Europeans.
The horses will depart Australia on 25 July from Melbourne
and will travel directly to England to a training base
in West Sussex.
Image copyrighted: Roz
Neave
Related Links
Recognition For Dressage Grooms
At Hickstead
British Short List of
Its EC Dressage Team Unveiled
Heath Ryan in Australian Team after
Withdrawal Ricky MacMillan
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