Wicked victory for Williamson
Wendi Williamson has some big decisions to make this week after a spectacular win in the Pacific League World Cup dressage final at Manfeild on Saturday night.
The mum of two from Waimauku north of Auckland and Dejavu MH notched an impressive 75.725% in the Grand Prix Musical Freestyle (CDIW) to edge out John Thompson (Hamilton) aboard JHT Antonello on 73.7% for second and Vanessa Way (Taranaki) on NRM Arawn on 70.525% for third.
The victory – their best score for a musical freestyle – earned them a berth in the world cup final in Omaha, United States, in April.
Earlier in the show, the combination notched a New Zealand record in the Grand Prix, with their 71.22% victory, securing the Burkner Medal as the top combination at dressage nationals, and also won the Intermediaire II on 70.421%.
‘‘The horse has just been getting better and better,’’ Williamson said. ‘‘He looked as though he had found another gear, and to do that in a test, this weekend, is just incredible.’’
Perhaps more exciting is the environmental engineer knows
exactly where she and the 12-yearold Hanoverian, who she bought as a foal, gain more marks.
‘‘There are a few flaws in there that I can improve on, so that is exciting.
‘‘I have had a number of international trainers tell me he is a horse capable of high 70s, and I feel if I can’t achieve that, I will have let him down.’’
She didn’t enter the arena with a win in mind.
‘‘I have my own psychology thing – I want to win, but if I focus on that, I won’t ride a good test. I want to nail it out there, and perform the horse the best I can. I guess you could say I am pretty determined.’’
Williamson had never really entertained going to the world final, but a little pep talk from Manawatu’s Rio Olympian Julie Brougham – a late withdrawal from the Pacific League final – has prompted a possible change.
‘‘She told me to take the opportunities while they were there, and that if you over-think things, you will never do it. It is good advice. I am still pretty shellshocked by everything and a little nervous about the decision ahead.’’
Williamson and husband Jonnie now face a busy few days as they work through the logistics of getting the horse to the United States – a complicated affair as the horse would probably have to fly via Europe.
‘‘The international judges here and at the CDI in October were complimentary to both John (Thompson) and I, saying we would be very competitive offshore,’’ she said.
‘‘To get to 70% is hard, but to get beyond that is something else. It takes a lot more power and expression, softness and accuracy, and is just quite different. You can do the movements, but you have to do them with real expression and cadence, and I feel I can now see a pathway to do that.’’