New Zealand's most experienced dressage rider Louisa Hill has won the Equestrian grand final at Equitana in Sydney.
Athens Olympian Hill, from Auckland, and the inexperienced Bates Antonello were victorious with 68.468 per cent in the grand prix, giving them not just the win but perhaps more importantly a mark that meets the strict London Olympics criteria.
She needs to meet other criteria in order to be eligible for selection for London.
Last night (Saturday) she was placed second in the grand prix freestyle with 70.275 per cent - which doesn't count towards London.
Vanessa Way, from Taranaki, and KH Arvan also had a brilliant weekend at the high-ranking event, placing fifth in the grand prix with 64.915 per cent and fourth in the freestyle with 68.8 per cent.
Nicky Pope, of Auckland, and Fabarachie scored 59.574 per cent and 61.875 per cent respectively.
A week ago the trio made history for New Zealand when they qualified a dressage team for the London Olympics.
Hill could be on her way to the Netherlands if she can pull off a big win in Melbourne next month.
Hill and Bates Antonello will be New Zealand's sole representatives at the Pacific league World Cup final in Weribee, Melbourne.
If she wins, she will be flown to the World Cup final in s-Hertogenbosch in April.
Dressage New Zealand sport manager Wendy Hamerton is confident the combination have as good as chance as any.
Last week, they were part of New Zealand equestrian history when they helped qualify a dressage team to the London Olympics.
"What Antonello did at Sydney was just extraordinary when you consider his lack of experience at top level - they were just behind top Australian Rachael Sanna on Jaybee Alabaster," Hamerton said.
The World Cup event runs from December 8-10.
Results of the Equestrian grand final at Equitana:
CDI-W grand prix freestyle: Heath Ryan (AUS) Regardez Moi 71.950 per cent 1, Louisa Hill (Auckland/NZL) Bates Antonello 70.275 per cent 2, Chantal Wigan (AUS) Ferero 69.475 per cent 3, Vanessa Way (Taranaki/NZL) KH Arvan 68.8 per cent 4, Nicky Pope (Auckland/NZL) Fabarchie 61.875 per cent 12.
Grand prix: Louisa Hill (Auckland/NZL) Bates Antonello 68.468 per cent 1, Heath Ryan (AUS) Regardez Moi 66.319 per cent 2, Chantal Wiggin (AUS) Fereo 65.553 per cent 3, Rozzie Ryan (AUS) GV Bullwinkle 65.000 per cent 4, Vanessa Way (Taranaki/NZL) KH Arvan 64.915 per cent 5, Tor Van Den Berge (AUS) Fishermans Friend 63.957 per cent 6, Nicky Pope (Auckland/NZL) Fabarachie 59.574 per cent 12.
- APNZ
- APNZ
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