A happy Louisa Hill of New Zealand is now a step closer to the upcoming Athens Olympics after a successful ride in Friday's International Dressage Grand Prix aboard Gabana.
New Zealand national selectors were present to cast an eye over the duo in an attempt to decide whether the Hill/Gabana combination will represent the Kiwis in Athens, and their chances are looking good. The pair put together a 64.5 percent ride in front of a Sydney crowd to finish fourth behind Australian Olympic hopeful Ricky MacMillan and dark brown gelding Crisp (68.25 percent).
Australians with Olympic hopes also filled the two other minor placings. Mary Hanna and gelding Limbo took second (66.92 percent) while Heath Ryan on Greenoaks Dundee claimed third (65.29 percent). Hill was pleased with her test and believes she has "done the best that I can do, which is all that matters" despite feeling "more harmony" with Gabana during Thursday's Intermediate II competition.
"She didn't like the light at one end of the arena, which affected her performance a bit," Hill said of her 10-year-old mare after Friday's effort. "She (Gabana) is a bit green at the level. The Grand Prix is a real test," she said.
Dressage New Zealand helped fund the thousands of dollars that it cost Hill to bring Gabana to Australia and she also had help from family and friends, who held numerous fund-raising event to support the pair.
The New Zealand selectors are expected to finalise their decision after a few more weeks of deliberations
Image copyright Peter Orr/Main Event Photography