2004 CDI Sydney

MacMillan Now Must Wait after Excellent Sydney Showing

May 1, 2004

Queenslander Ricky MacMillan, riding her 15-year-old warmblood gelding Crisp, did all that was asked of her in her battle for a place at the Athens Games, winning the International Grand Prix Kur competition at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre here Saturday.

Her victory with a percentage of 75.275, meant she had a clean sweep of the Grand Prix events at the Sydney CDI*** -- the Intermediate II, the Grand Prix, the Grand Prix Kur. Her Olympic fate now depends on performances by other international competitors this weekend.

Final world rankings for the 2003/04 season will be known on Monday, 3 May, which will in turn decide the final three available Athens Olympic spots. The rankings are dependant on results from both the Sydney CDI*** International Grand Prix event and competitions being held concurrently in Europe.

MacMillan's performance delighted the large and appreciative crowd, with creative choreography and complementary music culminating in a technically sound performance.

"The crowd really helped me tonight, and helped me achieve such an amazing score. I'm amazed by that score," she said later. She beat Victorian Mary Hanna and Limbo, who scored 73.450 percentage, and Heath Ryan on Greenoaks Dundee with 68.425.

Hanna has not given up on the chance of Olympic representation. " It is going to be difficult but it is not impossible. There may be a few countries which drop out opening places," she said.

Image copyright Peter Orr/Main Event Photography

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