Australian based FEI horses started their campaign for the London Olympic Games at Boneo Park this past weekend.
The inaugural Boneo Park CDI 3* competition in Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia, was the first of the qualifying competitions for Australian based riders in the lead up to the London Olympic Games in approximately 18 months.
Chantal Wiggan and Ferero from Queensland took out the Boneo Park Big Tour Championship, winning the Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle.
Chantal and Ferrero, Mary Hanna and Umbro, Gitte Donvig and Port Said 10 and Fiona McNaught and Ostra all received their first Olympic Qualification. They scored a minimum of 64% from the 5* judge and an average of more than 64% from all judges in the Grand Prix competiton.
Victorian rider Maree Tomkinson won the Small Tour championship on her mare Diamantina IV after winning the Prix St Georges, Intermediate I and the Intermediate I Freestyle.
The ground Jury consisted of Olympic 5* Judge Minako Furuoko from Japan, Annetta Fransen-Iacobaeus from Sweden, Alison King from Hong Kong and Susie Hoevenaars and Ricky McMillan from Australia.
The judges unanimously agreed that the high standard of the facilities and footing of the competition and warm up arenas provided the horses with a perfect opportunity to show their very best.
Young Horse Classes and a Novice Championship complemented the program of events with NSW rider Lesley Ann Taylor and Amicelli Gold was presented the Novice Trophy by sponsors James and Sarah Brayshaw.