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Pompadour – Southern hospitality
With an historic backdrop of an old castle the show at Pompadour was steeped in tradition and classical French entertainment splendor. The stabling was not your usual temporary units but large historic buildings that had their permanent occupants temporarily evicted to house the new arrivals for the show. The summer was taking hold in the Bordeaux region with temperatures reaching 34 degrees, which was a marked change from the cooler temperatures of Holland. Chantal and Ferero started the warm-up but the heat was too much with Ferero loosing energy and not wanting to go forward. Their entry to the arena and the usual crowd applause had no effect on Ferero who obviously was troubled by the heat. Within the first few seconds of the test Ferero managed to place his tongue over the bit and maintained that position for the entire test. With his reluctance to go forward and his tongue waving at the crowd the judges were not impressed and gave Chantal the lowest scores of her entire career. On the brighter side, Ferero recovered quickly with a massive infusion of electrolytes. The conditions taught Chantal a hard lesson and one to be valued for future events where hotter environments prevail.
Vierzon – Enjoying the French hospitality
Chantal’s first show in France was at the Vierzon CDI 3* where the French summer was only just starting. Their first Grand Prix test was a very ordinary performance. With some soul searching and telephone encouragement from Academy Bartel’s, Chantal headed back to the arena to face the judges once again in the Grand Prix Kur. With her Kur being a relatively new routine, it turned into a great performance with the pair keeping rhythm and impressing the judges enough to secure 66.75% and 3rd place overall. Aat van Essen on Premier - 71.45% (Holland) won the event. Quite a turn-a-round from their first test and the pair moved further south to Pompadour for another CDI 3*.Gelderland – A wonderful show as the pressure is off.
With the selections past tense Chantal and Ferero moved on to establish some newly implemented training routines from Academy Bartels. This show was the first selection for the Dutch Olympic team with everyone present in force. Scoring well at this competition required a stunning performance, as the Dutch selectors were keen to narrow the expert field before the next show at Rotterdam. With Anky scoring 78.5%, Imke Bartels with 75.7%, Chantal’s score of 61.04% looked low but considering the depth of her competition and her trying to master a new riding technique, it was quite a pleasing result.
Chantal and Ferero were able to qualify for the Grand Prix Kur the following day which gave them some much needed show experience. Their Kur had a shaky start but gathered in style as it progressed. Some one-handed riding during the one-time changes showed that Ferero was confident with Chantal directions that produced a score of 63.10%
Lingen – The Final Chance
The Australian Elite Squad was present in force and the final chance to sway the selectors in their quest for an Olympic berth. All stabled together Australian names filled the draw for the Grand Prix for the Kur. Chantal and Ferero once again were forced to enter independently and chose the Grand Prix for the Special. The final chance was not to produce their hoped knock-out performance. The judge’s scores are as follow:
E H C M B Total
61.66% 63.95% 61.25% 58.12% 62.08% 61.41%
It was disappointing to Chantal to have trained so hard and not pull out her best performances but she had managed to accomplish and succeed by attaining the MES points, which were gained at the very competitive European CDI circuit. Congratulations to all the other Australian riders who entered and gave there best.
Wiesbaden – First Olympic Selection for the Australian Olympic Team
With the historic town of Wiesbaden closing the streets and rolling out the red carpet to all competitors, it truly can be earmarked as one of the premier show venues in Europe. The Australians arrived on mass with the Australian Elite Squad positioned to take on all comers and each other for the two remaining berths on the Australian Olympic Team (Christy Oatley already pre-selected for the team). Chantal and Ferero had made an independent entry with the hope to pull off a landmark performance in front of the Australian selectors.
With the stage set to the Wiesbaden Town Hall as a backdrop to the dressage arena a nervous Chantal and Ferero entered to a loud applause of the crowd. This untimely distraction did not help their performance, as Ferero remained unsettled throughout the test. The result of 60.4% was a disappointment to Chantal but their quest to make an impression on the selectors was not over.
Other results for the Australians were :
Christy Oakley - 67.3%
Hayley Beresford - 65.3%
Heath Ryan - 64.7%
Rozzie Ryan - 63.2%
Brett Parbery - 63.1%
Maree Tomkinson - 61.8%
Chantal Wigan - 60.4%
Mary Hanna - 58.9%
Olympic Qualifying at Munchen
With the lower than expected performance at Hagen behind them Chantal and Ferero headed directly to Munchen to chase down the final Olympic qualifying points (MES) they needed before the Australian Olympic selection trials at the Wiesbaden and Lingen shows. With a great deal of pressure on Chantal and Ferero they managed to put in a stellar performance with an over score of 64.3% .
E H C M B Total
65.2% 64.1% 63.3% 64.1% 64.7% 64.333%
With the pressure easing Chantal and Ferero went on to capitalize on the pervious performance and ride Grand Prix Special with the following results:
E H C M B Total
63.8% 63.2% 62.4% 63.0% 63.0% 63.080%
Overall these results were a great improvement and showed that this combination had great potential.
An MES is a performance requirement set forth by the Australian Olympic Committee. Without the MES a rider is unable to be selected or compete at the Olympics in Beijing. This MES does not give Chantal a berth on the Australian team but would certainly allow her to be considered if her next performances were on par with other Australian riders.
The Hagen Show
It was the first showing of the Australian Elite Dressage Squad who had gathered together and were using this show as a warm-up for the Selections in April/May. Chantal and Ferero opted to ride in the Grand Prix for the Special, which also happened to be a selection event for the British, and German Olympic teams. All other Australian Riders choosing the Grand prix for the Kur. Faced with a formidable field Chantal’s result was reflective of her performance. Chantal’s Grand prix for the Special was 60.9%
In the other test, Grand Prix for the Kur, other Australians results were:
Rossie Ryan - 64.1%
Hayley Beresford - 62.9%
Mary Hanna - 62.0%
Brett Parbery - 61.4%
Peter Weston - 61.2%
Maree Tomkinson - 60.6%
Chantal is riding high (Bayside Bulletin/The Redlands Times)
SURAYA SALEH
21/04/2008 3:53:41 PM
IT may seem strange that someone hoping to make the Australian Olympic team has to move to Europe, but according to Redland-raised Chantal Wigan, that is where all the equestrian action is.
The 33-year-old dressage specialist, who grew up in Thornlands where her family owned the Pine Lodge Equestrian Centre, will compete in an event in Germany this weekend to gain eligibility for the Olympic Games.
If successful, she will vie for selection in the Australian dressage team at two events in Germany in May.
Her fiancée, Gary Fairman, of Cleveland, said Chantal had been working toward an Olympic berth since relocating from the Redlands to Europe in November 2006.
He said she made the move so she could compete at the top international level, against some of the world’s (and Australia’s) best riders. “To dedicate herself for two years before the event shows a lot of passion and takes a lot of money,” he said.
While Chantal has not been named on the Olympic dressage shadow squad, Gary said she and her horse Ferero still had a strong chance of making the team. “She’s going out there and showing she’s a contender and I think there are a few nervous people out there,” he said.
* Do you know any Olympic hopefuls? If you do, please email the
Bayside Bulletin at mail.bbulletin@ruralpress.com or ring the office on 3821 8333.
REDLANDS-raised dressage rider Chantal Wigan (pictured competing on gelding Ferero in Spain) is hoping to make the Australian team for Beijing.
The Chase for the Olympic Qualifying Points in Austria – Stadl Paura
From the Sunshine Tour in Spain Chantal was left to make a critical decision about the 2,800 klm drive to Austria and compete at Stadl Paura the following week. With “Big Blue” (her Scania truck) loaded, Ferero headed off to the Austrian Alps and the cold winter which was still raging to the North. The deadline to gain the required MES was fast closing and every European show was a chance to get the needed points before the Olympic selection trials were held in April at Weisbaden and Lingen, Germany.
Austria was as cold as the temperature chart had indicated and they added some rain to top it off. With water flowing through the temporary stabling and bedding soaked, Chantal and Ferero showed some real Aussie spirit to brave the elements and run some training drills in the overused warm-up arena. The event arena was a nicely set out facility with a good attendance from Russia, Sweden, German, Britian and Chantal from Australia. Ferero was lively and showed no outward signs of fatigue to the long road trip and change in temperature. Chantal entered the arena prematurely as she misjudged the time clock but did maintain composure to perform a good test. Her years of training in Germany obviously impressed the only German judge who marked her with a score of 65% which gained her the first MES points, as this judge was an Olympic level judge.
Chantal and Ferero - Spain 2008
Chantal and Ferero made the long journey to the small town of Vejer de la Frontera in Southern Spain for the 2008 Sunshine Tour. What a great first event to kick the year off 
by leaving the Cool winter of Holland behind and heading as far south as you can go in Europe to soak up some sun. The event was held on Spain’s National grounds which is located not far from the hillside village of Vejer.
Chantal managed to gain some confidence after a bout of stomach sickness to ride her first ever International Grand Prix Test. The score of 58% reflected the test as she made two course errors and was a little nervous but for a first time out she did complete the test and was pleased with her result.
The Sunshine Tour as held over a three week period all at the same venue so there was plenty of sun and good food to enjoyed. Her second test showed an improvement, as Carl Hester from Britain was kind enough to lend a hand with her daily training routine and her final warm-up. As the third and final test approached Chantal realized that the elusive MES (Olympic Qualifying points, 64% from an O level judge) was not going to materialize. Her third test was a little better but still short of the required MES but did allow her to go through and perform her first GP to music (Kur) with a 64% result for that test. The Sunshine Tour was so relaxing that Chantal will certainly return next year to compete and catch up with the Spanish hospitality.
Academy Bartels
Chantal and Ferero are at Academy Bartels
Chantal Wigan and both her horses Ferero and River Gold are at their new European base, Academy Bartels with trainer Imke Schellekens-Bartels. Chantal has entered 2008 training with Ferero and believes her timely move from training in Germany will help her consolidate Ferero's potential in the Grand Prix competition arena. Academy Bartels is picture perfect with warm and caring personal. It is comforting to know that I will have such and experienced team behind my every move.
Imke and Chantal
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Chantal and Ferero Make Winners Circle
Chantal Wigan and her new horse Ferero made their debut at the Erkrath-Uhlenhof, PLS horse show outside Düsseldorf, Germany to compete in the Grand Prix event. Faced with blustery wind and light rain Chantal and Ferero entered the arena after a lengthy warm-up for their very first Grand Prix together to show off months of consistent training. Ferero was alive and did not disappoint anyone with his smooth and accurate transitions while staying focused on the overall test. A satisfactory outcome for Chantal and Ferero with an overall score of 65.21% placing them 6th and join the other place getters in the lap of honor. A great result for their first show.
The other results were:
- 5th with 65.38%,
- 4th with 65.63%,
- 3rd with 65.71%
- 2nd with 66.54%
- 1st with 68.00%
Click here to watch the video (Note: Video is approx. 9 Mb)
Warm-up crucial for Ferero
Chantal Wigan and Ferero just made their grand Prix test with only 12 minutes to spare. It all started with a bad decision at the stables when Ferero’s regular transportation was not available. The journey to the show was dramatic and a painfully slow event combined with the impatient German drivers made this trip memorable. After covering the last 20 klms in 45 minutes, it was saddle/bridle on and straight to the warm-up arena as the preceding competitor had started their test. Chantal’s zigzag up the center line produced a very low mark and her counting skills were in question when she produced 13 one time changes when 15 were required. Overall it was a disaster with some very hard lessons learned. Mr. Ralf Isselhorst (Australian National coach) on his way home from Aachen was kind enough to drop-in and be witness to this very ordinary 59.7% With this disaster behind them Chantal and Ferero are looking forward to their next show, with Chantal carrying a pedometer.
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