October November 2012
members. The final choice, also
with some controversy attached,
Matt Williams and Watch Me VD
Mangelaar filled the final spot on
the team.
Edwina turned in the best performance of the Australian team
with an equal twentieth, clearly not up to her usual standard,
and the team ended in equal tenth place.
Great Britain, on their home turf, again took Gold from the
Netherlands in Silver position and a surprise Bronze to Saudi
Arabia.
In a bittersweet move the Silver Medal winning showjumping
stallion, London, was seized from his Dutch rider, Gerco
Schroeder shortly after the final jumping round at the Olympics.
Above: London, the 2012 Olympic Silver
Medal winning stallion was repossessed
shortly after his win with Dutch rider
Gerco Schroeder..Right:Matt Williams
and Watch Me VD. Photo courtesy of
Annabel Cowcher
London's real estate company owners are in bankruptcy
proceedings and the horse is rumoured to be worth 10 million,
which would have been significantly increased by his success at
the Olympics. Liquidators and lawyers at least allowed the horse
to compete, somewhat to the benefit of the massive investment
in this horse.
The future of the horse will be determined when proceedings are
finalised. At present he is at British Gold Medalist, Ben Maher's,
stables but the hope is that he will be returned to his Dutch rider
soon.
Paralympics
Finally, a Gold Medal for Australia! The first Gold Medal since
Sydney 2000!
Joann Formosa and 17year old stallion Worldwide PB won the
Individual Championship Test - Grade 1b, with a 75.826%,
stealing the title from the world's best paralympic rider, Lee
Pearson of Great Britain, winner of nine gold medals and he has
won this event at the past three Paralympics.
Great Britain, once again, won the team Gold, with Germany in
Silver and Ireland fielding their first paralympic team took the
Bronze.
Above: A jubilant Joann Formosa with the only Gold medal Australia won
at Equestian events. Left: Joann congratulates Britains silver medalist, Lee
Pearson. Photos courtesy of FEI.