Australian Jumping Team Confirmed For WEG
Published on 16 September 2010The National Selectors have announced the Jumping Team to represent Australia at the 2010 World Games to be held in Kentucky, USA, 25 September to 10 October.
The Team will be:
- James Patterson-Robinson and Niack De L'Abbaye : 1998 stallion (Diamant de Semilly), owned by Ger Poels
- Matt Williams and Urleven van de Helle: 1997 gelding (Esprite de Conquete) owned by Thomas Mecan.
After considerable discussion and consideration, the Selectors have decided against nominating a reserve.
About the athletes:
Edwina Alexander Age; 36 Lives: Holland
Edwina has been the front-runner of Australian Jumping for a number of years. Moving from Sydney to Holland in 1998 Edwina has achieved great success on the international Jumping circuit. Edwina is currently ranked number 10 in the Rolex FEI World Rankings and placed 3rd in the recent Global Champions Tour Final. Also this year Edwina won the Cannes CSI4* and the Vigo CSI-W, placed 3rd at Gotenburg Grand Prix and 2nd at Leipzig CSI-W. Edwina placed 4th at the 2006 World Equestrian Games and 7th as part of the Australian Team at the 2008 Olympic Games and 9th individually.
Chris Chugg Age: 49 Lives: Glossodia, NSW
Chris lives in Freemans Reach, near Sydney, NSW with his wife Helen. Together they operate a breeding and agistment property ‘Diamond B Farm’. Chris will celebrate his 50th birthday while at the Word Equestrian Games. Chris and Vivant have been the Australian Jumping Champions for the past three years. 2010 has been a great year for the pair; in April they finished 7th at the 2010 World Cup Final Geneva and they have since enjoyed a very successful season in Europe placing the Grand Prix’s of Weisbaden, Balve, San Patrignano, Hachenburg, Linz, Ascona, Rotterdam, De Steeg and Geesteren and Hachenburg. They were also part of the Nations Cups team to run 2nd at both Lummen and Linz. Chris and Helen have one son, Nicholas.
James Patterson-Robinson Age: 32 Lives: Holland
Victorian born James, who was educated at The Geelong College and Marcus Oldham College, decided to move to Europe in 2000 to pursue his riding. In 2001 and 2003 he won the five year old division of the FEI World Breeding Young Horse Showjumping Championships and in 2003 secured a place for an Australian Individual to compete at the Athens Olympic Games.
James lives and works in Holland. He produces his Grand Prix horses with the help of his employer Mr. Ger Poels, of Ger Poels Horses. James and Niack de l’Abbaye won the Grand Prix of Geesteren earlier this year and placed third in the 1.60m CSI 5* San Patrignano. James will celebrate his 32nd birthday at the World Equestrian Games.
Matt Williams Age: 25 Lives: Switzerland
Victorian born Matt moved to England in 2004 and after three years riding for Duncan Inglis moved to Henk Nooren’s stables in Belgium. He is now based in Switzerland and rides for Optimum Horses. Matt made his team debut at the 2008 Olympic Games aboard Leconte 6 where the team finished 7th. Matt and Urleven van de Helle recently placed third at Paderborn CSI 4*, 6th in the Grand Prix at De Steeg (NED) CSI4* and 11th at the Grand Prix of Ascona CSI3*.
Equestrian Australia congratulates the team and the horse owners and looks forward to the competition in Kentucky.
