The pride in Melissa Galloway’s words are palpable after she and Windermere J’Obei W placed sixth this morning with a score of 71.213% in the CDI4* FEI Grand Prix Special at CHIO Aachen.
“I can’t quite believe it,” she said. “Sixth place in Aachen. I am so so proud of Joey. He was so with me in the arena. I couldn’t have asked for more. He is just the best horse . . . I am so spoilt to have a horse like him.”
German judge Thomas Kessler was particularly impressed with what he saw, placing her third in his line-up. It was an all-German podium, with Frederic Wandres aboard Bluetooth OLD taking the win on 75.638%, Benjamin Werndl with Daily Mirror 9 second on 73.936%, and Helen Langehanenberg on Annabelle 110 third on 72.681%.
ESNZ high performance general manager Jock Paget said Melissa’s performance had been amazing. “She is so consistent,” he said.
The CCIO4*-S eventing got underway overnight, with both the dressage and showjumping tests completed. Tim Price and Falco are the best of the Kiwis, sitting in fourth place on 27.2 penalty points after a 26.8 dressage effort, and adding .4 in the showjumping.
“I was very happy with Falco,” said Tim. “He really wanted to be excitable in the dressage . . . during the walk he bubbled about but for the most part he was really good. His showjumping was absolutely beautiful, especially when compared to last year when he was very het up and overwhelmed with the environment.”
Jesse Campbell and Gambesie sit in 23rd spot on 35.1, with Clarke Johnstone aboard Leopard’s Action in 27th on 37.2, and Jonelle Price with Killbunny Andy on 48. Michael Jung (GER) and Fischerchipmunk FRH leads the field on 22.2.
Clarke felt his horse became anxious in the stadium after a nice warm-up. “I am very happy to jump a clear round in the showjumping,” he said. “The showjumping is always quite big and with a tight time, so it is very satisfying to jump clear at only our second 4*.”
In the team competition, Great Britain lead on 83.7, with Germany in second on 94.6, the United States third on 95.2 and New Zealand fourth on 99.5. There is plenty to play for tonight in the cross country, which is always tough, with a tight time.
Jock Paget says it wasn’t the start the Kiwis wanted in the dressage but the team had fought hard to claw some back in the jumping where there were two “brilliant” clears from Clarke and Tim. Jesse had an unlucky rail and Jonelle had done a good job on her young horse who was getting his first Aachen under his belt.
All the riders are also looking forward to tomorrow’s cross country which Tim says looks tough with an “exceedingly” tight. “We have to go as fast as possible basically and hope the Kiwi team can pull up a few places and get on the podium.”
Looking forward to tom
THE TIME TABLE:
• The FEI Youth Equestrian Games individual final on Saturday.
• CCIO4*-S eventing cross country is on Saturday.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL RESULTS & START LISTS
THE HORSE DETAILS:
Windermere J’Obei W – owned by Rodney and Anne Parkes and Melissa Galloway
Leopard’s Action – Rob, Jean and Clarke Johnstone
Falco – owned by Sue Benson and Tim Price
Gambesie – owned by Sarah Moffat
Killbunny Andy – owned by Therese Miller and Constance Edmundson
By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photos by Libby Law/ESNZ