Musical Freestyle a ‘Must Not Miss’

Rio hopeful John Thompson has drawn first blood in the chase for the Dressage Horse of the Year crown with a super win today in the Virbac CDI FEI Grand Prix Special.

Riding JHT Antonello, Thompson scored 69.896%, with Wendi Williamson (Kumeu) aboard Dejavu MH just a smidgen back in second on 69.854%. Abbie Deken (Taranaki) aboard KH Ambrose were another snip back in third place with 69.083% and Julie Brougham (Palmerston North) on Vom Feinsten fourth on 68.938%.

Today is the second and final class to count towards the overall title, the GJ Gardner CDI3* FEI Grand Prix Freestyle to music, which carries more points than the special.

The freestyle has attracted a quality field and is due to start at start at 12.10pm tomorrow (Sunday).

John Thompson and JHT Antonello. Photo Jan Sutherland/Take the Moment

Results –

Virbac CDI FEI Grand Prix Special: John Thompson (Hamilton) JHT Antonello 69.896% 1, Wendi Williamson (Kumeu) Dejavu MH 69.854% 2, Abbie Deken (Taranaki) KH Ambrose 69.083% 3, Julie Brougham (Palmerston North) Vom Feinsten 68.938% 4, Jody Hartstone (Raglan) Ali Baba 65.792% 5, Anya Noble (Cambridge) Airthrey Highlander 64.208% 6.