Local combination earn their place at the nationals

Leading Albany equestrian rider Emma Panizza recently returned from a successful 2018 Equestrian WA Horse of the Year Show, where her horse Don Diva Danzig secured qualification for the upcoming national championships.

Competing at the State Equestrian Centre on September 9, Panizza and Don Diva Danzig won the Small Show Hunter over 15hh up to and including 16hh class, and they also won the highest rural award and WA-bred exhibit in the same section.

That performance helped Don Diva Danzig earn a spot at the Australasian Show Horse and Rider Championships, which will be at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre in Victoria, from November 29-December 1.

Panizza, who was the 2012 Albany Sportsperson of the Year, said she was keen to again test herself and her nine-year-old mare at the top level. “She got two firsts and a third and is just hitting her straps,” Panizza said.

“We’ve had her four years and this is her third season of competing, and is owned in partnership with Sue and Glen Davies.”

“She always gets third or runner-up and I’ve said if she won, we’d go.

“I’ve been jumping her a bit and its seems to really help her, so we’ll see how we go at the Royal Show but I’d like to take her to the nationals.”

The pair will compete at the Perth Royal Show this weekend before tackling the Albany, Mt Barker and Esperance agricultural shows.

They have also qualified for the Grand National Show Horse Championships in Sydney in March, but Panizza said the nationals in Werribee was her preferred choice to attend.