New Zealand eventer Louisa Hill enjoyed a successful start to the Saddleworld dressage festival in Werribee, Australia last night (Fri), finishing second in one of the top classes at the event.
Hill, riding her 10-year-old gelding Bates Antonello, was beaten only by Australian champ Rachael Sanna in the first round of the FEI Pacific League World Cup final. Hill's score of 69.936 per cent was just short of Sanna's 71.128 per cent.
The pair will again battle it out in the freestyle tonight, with the two scores added together to decide the winner of the league.
Last night's performance gave Hill the required scores to make her eligible for selection for the London Olympics which, if selected, will be her second Olympics after also competing in Athens in 2004.
Meanwhile, it was a tough day for New Zealand's para-dressage riders who had three fourth-place finishes in their battle with Australia for the only Oceania spot at the 2012 Paralympics.
