Final nomination event looms for Australia's Rio Dressage hopefuls

Rotterdam CDIO will host the second of two nomination events for Australia’s Rio Dressage hopefuls with competition beginning Thursday.

Seven of Australia’s eight identified combinations will compete at Rotterdam after Kelly Layne advised Equestrian Australia (EA) overnight that she would not start at the event due to a minor injury to her horse Udon P. 

“Unfortunately Udon will not be available to compete in Rotterdam as he has re-aggravated an old splint,” said Layne.

The Rio hopeful, who was ranked third after the first nomination show in Odense, has advised EA that she still wishes to be considered for team selection for Rio in accordance with Equestrian Australia’s Dressage nomination policy (refer to policy). 

All remaining athletes and horses are fit and ready to prove their form for Rio selection. 

Following the Odense competition Sue Hearn and Remmington are ranked second of the Australian riders and Sue is pleased with their preparation heading into Rotterdam. 

“Training is going well at Ton De Ridders,” said Hearn. “Remmington is going well, loving his life in Germany and is very spoilt in his environment. I am looking forward to riding at Rotterdam and hoping I can ride well and better my score from Odense.”

Australian riders are entered as per follows:

CDI3* 

Mary Hanna & Boogie Woogie

Sue Hearn & Remington

Kristy Oatley & Du Soleil

Lyndal Oatley & Sandro Boy

Brett Parbery & DP Weltmeiser

Maree Tomkinson & Diamantina 4

CDIO5* 

Mary Hanna & Umbro

The identified combinations ranking following the first nomination event is as per follows:

Kristy Oatley and Du Soleil - 69.520
Sue Hearn and Remmington - 68.820
Kelly Layne and Udon P - 67.880
Mary Hanna and Boogie Woogie 6 - 67.540
Mary Hanna and Umbro - 66.920
Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina 4 - 66.100
Lyndal Oatley and Sandro Boy - 66.067 (average of the three lowest scores as this combination could not compete at Odense)
Brett Parbery and DP Weltmieser - 65.180

Competition at Rotterdam gets underway Thursday for the CDIO Grand Prix and continues Friday with the CDI. The Grand Prix Specials and Grand Prix Freestyles will be held on Saturday. The same judging group will be officiating the CDI3* Grand Prix competition therefore making an excellent comparison.

Rotterdam schedule of events:

Live streaming is available via FEItv  www.feitv.org

Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Grand Prix Dressage Freestyle - Rotterdam

25 Jun 2016   Start Time: 15:50 (CEST)

Further information can be obtained at www.chio.nl

Results can also be found at www.hippodata.de

Meanwhile and at the same event, World Equestrian Games jumping rider Jamie Kermond will compete at the Rotterdam CSIO5*. It was at this event in 2015 where  he partnered with Yandoo Oaks Constellation to win the Six Bar competition.