Australian Olympic team reserves - Mary Hanna and Ivanhoe - became the winners of the Pacific League final at the 2024 CDI-W Werribee on 5 - 8 December 2024.
The winner of the Kur to Music earned a ticket to the 2025 World Cup Final in Basel in April 2025.
A Field of Seven
Seven riders were entered for the Pacific League Final with six of them from Australia and Wendi Williamson flying in from New Zealand. The "Victoria Dressage Festival" became a duel between two seasoned riders, Hanna and Williamson
In the Grand Prix on Friday 6 December judges Helen Hughes-Keen, Sunil Shivdas, Maria Schwennesen, Susan Hoevenaars, and Andrew Gardner saw the winner in Hanna and her 11-year old KWPN bred Ivanhoe (by Desperado x Jazz) with 72.087%. Three judges had them first, two second.
Wendi Williamson and the New Zealand bred 12-year old Hanoverian Don Vito MH (by Don Frederico x Enamour) were second with 71.391%.
Third placed Roberta McKinnon scored a personal best aboard the 13-year old Hanoverian mare D'Esperanza (by Desperados x Sandro Hit) with 69.478%. It was the pair's debut CDI and McKInnon's long-awaited Grand Prix come back after a six-year absence from the international big tour. The mare was previously shown by owner Alina Veenvliet.
Pacific League for Hanna
The Pacific League final was contested in the Kur to Music on Saturday 7 December and Hanna bested the field once more. For the Kur the ground jury had one change with Mary Seefried replacing Maria Schwennesen.
Hanna topped the board with 76.560% and clinched a berth at what could become her sixth World Cup Finals in her career. She rode the final in 1996 (Gothenburg), 1997 (Den Bosch), 1998 (Gothenburg, 2014 (Lyon), and 2016 (Gothenburg).
"Absolutely thrilled to win the Pacific League final of the World Cup last night," Hanna took to Facebook. "Ivan gave me a beautiful ride, trying his hardest to the last step."
Williamson stayed right on Mary's heels with a 76.350% for second place. She was the winner of the 2020 League Finals but could not go to the World Cup Finals as the event was cancelled due to corona.
David McKinnon overtook wife Roberta for third place. David and Vivian Lipshut's 15-year old KWPN gelding Estupendo (by Ziesto x Scandic) scored 75.550%.
Relates Links
Scores: 2024 CDI-W Werribee
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2024-2025 World Cup Qualifiers and Finals
Charlotte Phillips Wins 2023 Pacific League World Cup Final But No PAL Riders to Omaha
Galloway Shines in Pacific League World Cup Final at 2023 CDI-W Cambridge
Williamson Wins Pacific League Final to Earn Ticket to 2020 World Cup Finals
Rozzie Ryan Wins 2019 Pacific League World Cup Finals
Wendi Williamson Earns Ticket to Omaha after 2017 Pacific League World Cup Final Victory
Mary Hanna and Umbro Win Pacific League World Cup Final at 2015 CDI-W Boneo