John Thompson and Antonello Collect First Rio Scores at 2015 Equidays CDN

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2015 CDN Hamilton

New Zealand's John Thompson has taken his first steps towards Rio qualification by winning the Grand Prix and Kur to Music at the inaugural high-ranking national dressage competition at the Equidays at Mystery Creek in Hamilton, New Zealand, on 16 - 18 October 2015. Nearly 500 dressage fans were treated to a very rare experience with the highest level of talent and education in New Zealand, all happening under one roof.

Thompson and Antonello notched their first of the required four scores towards his Rio Olympics qualification. The combination won the Grand Prix with 69%, with Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten second with 66.233% and the Grand Prix Freestyle with 71.5%. New Zealand's 2015 Grand Prix champion Penny Castle did not compete at Equidays although she was entered.

Thompson, who has recently moved to New Zealand from Australia, continues to build on his relationship with his 14-year old Hanoverian Antonello (by Anamour x Winnebago), Louisa Hill’s former horse.

Dressage New Zealand sport manager Wendy Hamerton says the two are really starting to get to know each other in the competition arena. For Hamerton, Abbie Deken and KH Ambrose were stand-outs too with their 66.133% third place effort, and so too were Wendi Williamson and Dejavu MH.

“That horse (William’s Dejavu MH) just oozes quality but that was his first grand prix competition and Wendi is relatively inexperienced at riding at that level. It was a really good effort in a big atmosphere and they backed it up with a 69% in the freestyle.”

The judges had been impressed and noted Dejavu MH as one to watch in the future.

Australian FEI 5* international judge Susie Hoevenaars noted the ongoing improvement she is seeing in the Thompson-Antonello partnership, but says it is important they continue to get high class competition.

For Hamerton, the charged atmosphere of the Grand Prix Musical Freestyle was the big highlight. The class was won by Thompson. Unfortunately Brougham’s Vom Feinsten found the close crowd and noise a bit much, and she retired him. Deken too didn’t complete the test after her horse got his tongue over the bit soon into the test. Williamson shone though with Dejavu MH. “He came out and really coped, so that was impressive given his lack of experience at this level and in that sort of atmosphere.”

Greg Smith and Avante Garde won the invitational Prix St Georges. “We knew Greg would put up a good challenge, but they are a new combination, so we didn’t know how it would be in that atmosphere,” said Hamerton.

Hamerton is convinced New Zealand dressage is on the cusp of something quite special. “We have more riders have experience at grand prix level, some fabulous horses and many of them New Zealand bred. It is a real credit to the breeders to see some of the horses they are producing for us.”

She is hoping the joint venture between Dressage New Zealand and Equidays will become a regular affair. “This was a great opportunity for our riders to be in front of top international judges, with some huge crowds watching.”

As well as the highly-ranked Hoevenaars, also judging was five star German judge Peter Holler who has judged in New Zealand a number of times and is a big fan of the country. He also gave a judge’s seminar, a masterclass for riders and judges, and clinics for the general public too.

Results - 2015 Rio Qualifier at Equidays

Invitational Prix St Georges

1. Greg Smith, Avante Garde 66.667%
2. Molly Lumb, KH Arvan 65.658%
3. Debbie Barke, Lucrative SW 65.395%
4. Nikita Osborne, Alacatraz 64.395%
5. Catherine West, Anarocz 64.079%
6. Lucarne Dolley, Devils Chocolate 62.807%

Grand Prix

1. John Thompson, Antonello 69%
2. Julie Brougham, Vom Feinsten 66.233%
3. Abbie Deken, KH Ambrose 66.133%
4. Wendi Williamson, Dejavu MH 64.433%
5. Jody Hartstone, Ali Baba 64.4%
6. Anya Noble, Airthrey Highlander 63.5%
7. William Millar, Raukura Satori MH 60.867%

Grand Prix Kur

1. John Thompson, Antonello 71.5%
2. Wendi Williamson, Dejavu MH 69.083%
3. Jody Hartstone, Ali Baba 66.917%
4. Anya Noble, Airthrey Highlander 66.167%

Text by Diane Hobson