Sheridyn Ashwood has been crowned 2013 Australian Grand Prix Dressage Champion after she won the Grand Prix Special on the final day of competition at the 2013 Australian Dressage Championships in Sydney, Sunday 26 October 2013.
Having already claimed the reserve champion ribbons in the Grand Prix and Kur, the overall title was Ashwood’s for the taking after the winner of the Grand Prix, Maree Tomkinson, and overnight Freestyle winner, Mary Hanna, did not start in Sunday’s Special. To determine the champion, standings from the Grand Prix are combined with a combination’s best standing from either the Freestlye or Special.
In today’s Special Ashwood and her KWPN stallion Prestige VDL were ranked first by each of the judges, who combined to give her a score of 69.13. Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi scored 68.23 for second while Sue Hearn and Remmington snared a top three placing with a score of 66.04.
The Sydney International Equestrian Centre has once again proven to be a favourable venue for Queensland based Ashwood who returns home with another significant accolade after winning the Grand Prix, Freestlye and Special here in May at the prestigious Sydney CDI3*. For Ashwood and leading dressage riders the focus is now on next month’s Equestrian Grand Final which will take place at Equitana Sydney on Saturday 9 November 2013.
The Nationals concluded on Sunday afternoon with the Prix St Georges Stars of the Future class. There is very difficult criteria to qualify for this event and it is only the top 12 that get to ride. As a result, the spectators get to see the top competitors at this level and the riders also get to compete amongst the best. It makes you realise the diversity of type and movement - all very different but all impressive. Once again Janina Kletke riding on Bluefields Floreno grabbed the first place (70.474), second went to Rodney Martin on SS Sonata Hit (67.816) and third went to Bret Parbery on Aber Hallo 29 (67.737) - Thank God there's judges were there to make the decision because form a spectators point of view it looked like it could have been any of them.
By 5pm, all the arenas were empty, stables were being cleaned and a trail of horse floats filtered out onto the highway. It was a great 5 days of competition with over 200 horses and 150 riders.
by Michelle Cook and Scott Pollock
Photos © Franz Venhaus
Related Links
Scores 2013 Australian Dressage Championships
Hanna and Sancette Win 2013 CDI-W Sydney Grand Prix Kur
Hellyer and Kletke Win First FEI Classes at 2013 Australian Dressage Championships
Tomkinson Grabs Grand Prix Lead at 2013 Australian Championships