The 2016 New South Wales Regional Championships in Sydney, Australia, will be including a CDI-W World Cup Qualifier at its event on 8 - 11 September 2016.
The last time a CDI-W was held in conjunction with the NSW State Championships was over 12 years ago back in 2004 when the Australian National Dressage Championships were conducted in Victoria.
"One of the DNSW Committee’s aims is to raise the profile of “The States” and at the same time give our Big Tour riders another local opportunity to compete in an International Event in front of world class judges," said organizer Toni Venhaus.
The judging panel will include FEI 5* Judge, Lilo Fore (USA), Olivier Smeets (FEI 3* - BEL), Susan Hobson (FEI 4* - NZL) and Australia’s two FEI 5* Judges Mary Seefried and Susan Hoevenaars.
Twelve horses and eleven riders will compete in the CDI-W with an interesting mix of up-and-coming horses and more established combinations.
The highest qualified combination coming into the Championships is Judy Dierks on Diamond Star owned by Vicki Newham. Judy is an experienced competitor who doesn’t throw away any marks and her aim will be to retain the Grand Prix title again this year. Strong competition is expected from Robbie Soster and Robali Razzamatazz, Heath Ryan riding Utopian Cardinal, Katharine Farrell and Luxor and winner of the Grand Prix Freestyle last year, Lesley Anne Taylor and Amicelli Gold.
Brett Parbery is not new to top level competition having represented Australian on many occasions. Brett will be riding two horses making their International debut at Grand Prix level at the Championships, Aber Hallo 29 owned by Gregory Farrell and PPH Zeppelin owned by Brett and Helen Lawson. Susan Elekessy on Don Rubin and Deon Stokes on Royal Oak II are two other up and coming combinations to watch.
Related Links
SS Dante, San Andreas, Diamond Star Shine in Young Horse Classes at 2012 CDI Sydney
Judy Dierks Takes Out Grand Prix Kur at 2015 CDI Sydney
Heath Ryan On His Way to Win 2014 Australian Dressage Championships