Hanna and Oatley bound for Sweden FEI World Cup Final
Australian Olympians Mary Hanna and Lyndal Oatley will be among riders from 11 nations to compete in the 31st staging of the FEI World Cup Final for Dressage when competition gets underway in Gothenburg, Sweden later this week.
Hanna has earned her start in the Final after winning the Pacific League World Cup Final in December 2015. Oatley has been granted a wild card entry after posting strong performances in the Western European League.
Four-time Olympian Hanna is managing a busy competition schedule which saw her in action in Melbourne on the weekend at Dressage and Jumping with the Stars CDI-W. Hanna rode Boogie Woogie 6 to a pleasing second in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle before departing for Europe the same evening to meet up with Umbro (who left Australia on 9 March) with whom she'll partner in the World Cup Final.
“I stayed in Australia to compete Boogie Woogie at Dressage with the Stars to try for my second qualifying score before flying to Germany straight after the Freestyle.
“It's a pretty tight schedule but hopefully it will work out. I really wanted to take Umbro to the World Cup this time, as part of my preparation for Rio and it will be my fifth World Cup final. I chose not to take Umbro last year even though he won the Pacific League Final, as I thought the trip to the US was too much for him if I planned to try for Rio this year,” said Hanna.
It will be a family affair for London Olympian Lyndal Oatley who will go head to head against her husband Patrik Kittel who rides for Sweden.
"I am super excited to be a part of the World Cup Final. To go with my husband Patrik Kittel along with stable, London and Normandy team mate Mary Hanna makes the journey even more fantastic.
“Sandro Boy has been in super form these last weeks, and I am very proud to represent my home in the final,” said Oatley.
In its 40th year the Gothenburgh Horse Show will host the World Cup Finals for Dressage and Showjumping for the 15th time.
The Dressage Grand Prix will take place on Friday 25th March and the Grand Prix Freestyle on Sunday 27th March.
Live streaming will be available via FEITV www.feitv.org
For startlists and results please visit the website www.gothenburghorseshow.com
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