The Seoul CSIO2* saw invitations to other nations including Australia to participate in the Teams event and they also kindly offered one borrowed horse to each country for the very rich Grand Prix class.

The Australian team consisted of Victorian, Melissa Froesch, Queenslander, Rebecca Crack and New South Welshman, Stephen Dingwall with Stephen's dad, Peter as the Chef d'Equip.

Stephen was appointed the Individual rider and was delighted when his borrowed horse turned out to be the recently purchased 12 year old gelding KRA Anton100. Anton100 was purchased from PSI for a rumoured euro200,000 by Korean Racing. Anton100 had been jumping the 1.50m classes in Germany and so was well used to jumping a big class.

Sadly Stephen and Anton100 had a little misunderstanding at the second fence in the first round, and not only did they part company but both horse and rider limped out of the arena, with the horse being taken directly to the vet hospital for vet care. Word afterwards came through that the horse was ok but had been scratched from competition the following weekend.
Pictured right - The Aussie Team watch as the other teams do their thing!
Pictured left - the Malaysian Team are very identifiable in their bright gear.

Pictured left - the arena was in the fabulous stadium in Seoul and Aussie team member Melissa Froesch told jumpingaround.com that it was a fabulous venue and they were looked after brilliantly by their hosts at the event.

Melissa said that it was a fantastic experience and she hopes that many more Australian showjumpers will put their names down for these tours as it is a great experience riding as part of a team.

The Aussie Team finished 6th out of 6 teams and were disappointed with their performance but did admit that they did perhaps "draw the most difficult team of horses available" but Melissa - pictured below - with her usual super confidence and ability managed to get her grey horse around without elimination in the second round after it pulled a "dirty" stop on her in round one.

Although Stephen had hurt his shoulder he was determined to ride for the Team and not let the girls down which saw the girls insisting on him taking the easiest of the three horses on offer.
Pictured above left - The trot up was a very formal affair with riders all dressed in suits as were the vets and officials.

Pictured right - Presentation was a very flash affair with many trophies and medals given out.

Team result:

1st - Japan
2nd - Malaysia
3rd - Chinese Taipei
4th - Germany
5th - Republic of Korea
6th - Australia

Individual Results:

1st - Jae-Hong Park (KOR) and KRA Pinnochio - pictured below left
2nd - Jun-Sung Heo (KOR) and KRA Kangki Du Candas
3rd - Bong-Gak Song (KOR) and Centurio 25
4th - Emma Helena Torstenson (SWE) and KRA Castle Forbes Bolivar - pictured below right
5th - Sang-Jong Jeon (KOR) and KVWS Eole
6th - Antonio Frutuoso de Melo (POR) and Queen
7th - Daisuke-Fukushima (JPN) and Dash
8th - Jin-Kyung Lee (KOR) and Amor 333
9th - Chew Yen-Tung (SGP) and Sinchul
Our thanks to Melissa Froesch for her photos from this great event.
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