In the CDI4* classes, William Matthew and 11-year-old chestnut Oldenburg mare Faye 43 (Fuerst Heinrich x Aljano 2), Warwick McLean and 10-year-old KWPN gelding Le Special (Grey Flanell x Sir Oldenburg), and Alanna Richards with 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding Mist of Titanium OLD (Millennium x Diamonit) will all be looking to show Australian selectors their potential in terms of FEI World Championship team representation.
Currently all combinations have met the FEI Minimum Entry Requirements (MERs) for FEI World Championship selection (of 66% at Grand Prix), with Warwick and Alanna also having one score of 68%+ on the board to begin to fulfill the Competition Criteria section of the Australian selection policy.
Recently, Alanna and Mist of Titanium OLD competed at CDI Achleiten, where the pair finished third in the CDI4* Grand Prix on 66.022% with unfortunate mistakes in three movements proving costly – but showing what is possible for this combination with a clean test. The duo also finished fourth in the Grand Prix Special with 65.213%.
Fierce competition in the CDI4*
The Australian riders will face strong competition, with FEI World Cup Final winner Becky Moody of Great Britain contesting the class, alongside Dutch rider Marieke Van Der Putten – who is currently FEI ranked #12 – and her compatriot, former World Championship bronze medallist Dinja Van Liere – who currently has three exciting young horses at Grand Prix.
Jumping action
In the CSI2*, young rider Jack Barker will start as the only Australian in a field of 30. In Deauville, he finished 10th and 12th with Oaks Cryptic in the CSIO3* classes.
