Wendi Williamson rides Don Vito MH. File Photo. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
Wendi Williamson came agonisingly close to securing her third Pacific League World Cup Final victory but in the end had to settle for second at the Victorian Dressage Festival in Australia over the weekend.
She and Don Vito MH were second to Mary Hanna aboard Ivanhoe in both the CDI-W Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle. Saturday night’s freestyle saw the Kiwi combo score 76.35%, with Mary taking the win on 76.56%. On Friday night Wendi and Don Vito MH scored 71.391% with Mary on 72.087%.
“We gave it all we had on Saturday night,” says Wendi. “It was satisfying to be so close but disappointing not to have taken the win. Junior (Don Vito) is such a trier and I couldn’t have asked for any more from him last night. As a team we have no regrets or changes we would have made, so that is also satisfying.”
A real highlight for the two-time final winner (2017 and 2020) was her team. “We have a great team and I am very grateful to Jonnie, Madi and Christine. I am so thankful to have friends and family come to watch and support us.”
She felt Junior’s canter work was good and says she always loves the effort and enthusiasm he puts into his extended trots. The combo will now do the New Zealand based CDIs in the new year and Wendi says they will possibly head back to the Sydney CDI in 2025.
Junior and groom Madison Schollum will head back to New Zealand on Thursday while Wendi arrived home on Sunday.
By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison