Australian Grand Prix rider Maree Tomkinson issued a short statement on her losing her spot on the Australian WEG team now that Briana Burgess has won her appeal for team selection.
Tomkinson and her 12-year old Diamantina (by Diamond Hit x Campari M) were announced as members of the Australian WEG team on 29 July 2014 after completing the two required Australian WEG selection trials as one of four riders who competed at both qualifiers.
Burgess lodged an appeal as Australia’s Dressage Selection Panel (DSP) had granted her discretionary weight to extraordinary factors and permit her to count the single score obtained at the first nomination event in
the final ranking list. Her horse La Scala was unfit to compete in Deauville. She won the appeal and is on the team if her horse passes a vet check in 11 August. Tomkinson would be out.
"As disappointing as this is right now, heartbreaking really, it is not the end of the world. I have a beautiful , healthy horse and we get to come home now," Tomkinson stated. "I am very grateful to EA and the way they handled this whole situation. They followed the policy to the letter, as per their policy the team was to be named on the 29th July and at that time they named the only team possible. The appeals board are independant arbitrators not privy to the intricacies and complications of preparing international dressage horses.
"At the end of the day it is probably for the best, Team Patrick and the Oatleys are a very united front and will present a united supportive team at WEG for Australia," she added.
Tomkinson also requested her fans not to "post anything negative on my page about EA or anyone else. There is a lot to be positive about, just a little sad for today." She concluded with a Rocky Balboa quote: 'It's not about how hard you can hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.'
Photo © Peter Stoop
Related Links
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2014 World Equestrian Games
Australian Team Selected for 2014 World Equestrian Games
Burgess Wins Appeal, to Replace Tomkinson on Australian WEG Team if La Scala Passes Vet Check