As the day heated up so did the competition at the 2010 Australian Dressage Championships in Sydney. The event, which is sponsored by Bates saddlery, is one of the premier dressage competitions in Australia. Over 130 horses competed today.
The EJ & Co Advanced 5B and 5C started at 8.48 this morning. The standard was high. Many horses made it look effortless, floating across the arena with seamless transitions. If this is a sign of the standard of horses moving up through the ranks then the Australian dressage ranks should be very happy with themselves. Tor Van Den Berge on Lauries As won the Advanced 5B with a score of 69.919. Second was Rodney Martin on Falstermeyer with a score of 67.236 and third went to Alexis Hellyer on Waca W with a score of 66.992. The Advanced 5C was also won by Tor Van Den Berge on Lauries As, scoring 68.684. Second was Jayden Brown on Furst Friedrich, scoring 68.421 and third place went to Nicole Tough on Dante with a score of 67.982.
Like the Advanced classes, the Riders Shoppe Intermediate I showcased some beautiful horses. Approximately 36 horses competed from 6 states of Australia. Although the degree of difficulty is very high at this level there were still plenty of horse and rider combinations that worked as one. The winner of the class was Matthew Dowsley on PSI De Caprio with a high score of 72.000. Second went to Jessica Greelish on Riverndell Parador, scoring 67.789. Third place went to Maree Tomkinson on Diamantina IV with a score of 66.947.
The Indoor arena hosted the Goldin Grand Prix CDN and then the Goldin Grand Prix CDI-W. Its mind boggling how these elite riders manage to guide their horses through so many difficult movements in such a short period of time. It is an achievement itself to reach such a level.
The Goldin Grand Prix CDN was won by Mary Hanna on Umbro with a score of 64.511, second went to Adam Vallere on Moscow with a score of 57.915 and third place went to Claire Wallace on Liason with a score of 50.723.
Nineteen horses competed in the Goldin FEI Grand Prix CDI-W. The top fifteen automatically qualify for the Hamilton Island Grand Prix Freestyle which is the highlight of Saturday night. In first place was one of Australia’s most accomplished riders, Heath Ryan on Regardez Moi with a score of 66.383. It was only 18 months ago that Heath had a stroke. As a result it has taken time for him to return to his true form. Watch out everyone! Second went to Kate Taylor-Wheat on Oscar B with a score of 65.021. Coming in third was Gitte Donvig on Port Said 10 with a score of 64.979. Gitte’s mother, Mary Hanna came fourth on her new horse Sancette with a score of 64.511.
Like Friday, Saturday will showcase many of the up and coming horse and riders as well as our top Grand Prix competitors. There will be two Elementary tests sponsored by Wagners, the Gow-gates Advanced Freestyle, Prydes Easifeed YH 4yo qualifier, Dressage Australia Prix St Georges Challenge Final, the Prydes Easifeed Intermediate Freestyle and finally the big draw card of the event, the Hamilton Island Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W.
by Scott Pollack
Related Links
Scores 2010 Australian Dressage Championships
Ryan and Regardez Moi Win Inter II at 2010 Australian Championships