Mary Hanna | About Mary Hanna |
|
|
|
|
 Mary riding the 2008 National GP Champion Tango V Mary was originally a showjumping and eventing rider, converting to dressage in her 20’s. Mary rode horses from an early age and has owned and ridden some wonderful horses. She says the highlights are too numerous to mention, however "My 1996 Atlanta Olympic ride on Mosaic was a personal high note as we finished 23rd in the Grand Prix Special. I was proud to have won the World Cup Australasian Final 3 times and gone on to represent Australia at the World finals on 3 occasions. I must also thank my wonderful horse Limbo who shared the Sydney 2000, WEG, Jerez 2002 and Athens 2004 experiences with me. Losing him to travel sickness at the end of 2004 was a bitter blow, he is sadly missed.  Mary and Limbo at Athens Olympics Mary said, I have had many great instructors and trainers and they have all helped me to ride my best and give my horses the opportunity to do their best. I worked with Gert Donvig, then Clemens Dierks who was the Australian National coach for many years and have also trained with Kyra Kyrklund, Tineke Bartels, Anky van Grunsven and Sjef Jansen, Ulf Műller and Hubertus Schmidt. I have been able to take some wisdom from all of these valued instructors with me to every training session or competition appearance. Mary recognizes the contribution to her success that her special horses have made and she thanks Kilof McOhl, Valuta, Hanburg Duell Silk, Old Pardon, Welcome Stranger, Vancouver, Solo ll, Donnerheist, Mosaic, Limbo, Port Said and Tango V, for the special times and memorable competitions. She says, “Success in the sport of Dressage is not an individual achievement it takes a team of dedicated people, good professional advice and of course, a great horse!  Mosaic at the World Cup in New Zealand “The past has been a colourful contrast of hard work and heartfelt satisfaction with some memorable highlights and the low points which go with owning and caring for horses but do serve to teach us the valuable lessons. The future offers all enthusiasts the opportunity to see Australian dressage step up and to the best international combinations and I am looking forward to my continuing involvement. Australian competitors now ride horses equal to the best in the world and we have the knowledge and experience to see them reach the potential of their celebrated ancestors. I am proud to have been part of the wonderful journey so far … and eager to be part of the future success. Career Highlights Mary has enjoyed great success with many of the horses she has trained and ridden. She has proudly represented Australia at 3 Olympic Games - 1996 at Atlanta on Mosaic, in 2000 on Limbo and in 2004, Athens, again on Limbo. She has won the Australasian Final of the World Cup on Mosaic and went on to take part at 3 world finals for the Dressage World Cup. She has taken part at the Dressage World Championships (WEG). In 1994 at Den Hague, 1998 in Rome and in 2002 in Jerez, Spain, all on Mosaic. Mary has been the Australian National Grand Prix Champion on 6 occasions. |