Photo L to R
Scott McKenna (Dressage NZ Chair), Melissa Galloway, John Thompson, Victoria Wall
It was a win today for the Kiwi team at Week 2 of Dressage by the Sea at the unique Willinga Park venue. Melissa Galloway, John Thompson, Wendi Williamson & Victoria Wall scored a total of 405.934 pts ahead of the Aussies Mary Hanna, Alycia Targa, Rozzie Ryan & Fiona Selby on 403.370. The team challenge was held over both Grand Prix classes at the two CDI 4* events. Team totals were calculated by the best three scores at each event. However, Mary Hanna withdrew team horse Syriana from today’s Grand Prix meaning all three scores counted for AUS today.
Melissa Galloway scored another CDI personal best with Windermere J O’Bei W on 70.087% for second place pushing Mary Hanna and another Johnson sired Calanta to a personal best for Mary on 72.761%.
John Thompson and JHT Chemistry have been a model of consistency since beginning their Grand Prix career, to finish third on 69.087%.
These riders were full of praise for their horses. Melissa went for the big mark in the first extended trot which resulted in a couple of expensive canter strides towards but recovered well, receiving 8’s for passage, 1x tempis, halt, passage and rider mark.
Apart from a small error in the flying change at the end of the extended canter, Chemistry again showed such amazing character and consistency for such a young horse.
Victoria Wall (Letty Lei EDH) and Wendi Williamson (Don Amour MH) were 8th and 10th on 64.695% and 64.196%.
Tomorrow Melissa, Victoria and Wendi line up in the Grand Prix Special while Chemistry has a rest day before Saturday’s Freestyle