Children rider Ella McConachy and Under 25 rider Mary Nitschke became the champions in their respective divisions but it was Jessica Dertell who stole the show with a historic feat of claiming the title in no less than three (!) divisions from junior level to Grand Prix at the 2022 Australian Dressage Championships.
The 2022 Australian Nationals were held at Boneo Park on 13 - 16 October 2022 and very rainy weather proved a challenge.
McConachy and Nitschke Go for Gold
Five combinations contested the Children's division, a rather new category on the Australian dressage scene. Ella McConachy claimed highest honour aboard the 11-year old Kasperrado D Andreas (by Luda Lacroix x ). She was second in the first round with 72.125% and second in the second round with 72.925% but her total of 145.050 points made her the champion. Finishing a hair's breath behind her with 145.025 points was Rosemary Sutherland aboard the 13-year old Cherishwood Dream On (by Sheringa Nightspell). She posted 71.500% and 73.525%. The winner of the first round, Annabel Shoobridge and her 13-year old pony Noble Dancer (by Heidbergs Nancho Nova) ended up with bronze on 143.100%. She got 75.875% and 67.225%.
In the Under 25 division for young Grand Prix riders, six pairs began the Championships but only three completed all three rounds with a score and they were the medallists. The gold went to Mary Nitschke on the 18-year old Australian bred Utopian Cardinal (by Regardez Moi x Lanthan) with 200.745 points. She scored 65.245% in the Intermediaire II, 65.470% in the Short Grand Prix and 70.030% in the freestyle. Utopian Cardinal was previously competed internationally by Australian Heath Ryan before becoming a priceless Grand Prix schoolmaster. The silver was for Charlie Welsh aboard the 10-year old KWPN bred Horizonte de Jeu (by Voice x Don Romantic) with 193.548 points, while Claire Plenty settled for third place aboard the 18-year old Queensland (by Quando Quando x Leopard) with 192.493 points.
Impressive Triple Title for Jessica Dertell
The 18-year old Jessica Dertell already gave a taste of her potential at the CDI Brisbane a month ago with quadruple division victories. At the Nationals at Boneo Park she grabbed the title in the junior, young rider and senior Grand Prix division, writing history for Australia. Dertell also competed in the Under 25 category but settled for fourth place in that division.
Her conquest began in the junior division aboard the 7-year old KWPN bred Kilimanjaro (by Bordeaux x Westpoint) winning all three rounds with 73.030%, 70.882% and 74.208%.They totalled 218.120 points for gold. Kate Kyros and the 13-year old Courtlands Cadman (by Bj Kaneto Casanova X Donegal Double Take) got silver with 208.417 points, while Rosemary Heagney and the 15-year old Redgum James OO7 (by Jazz x Rotspon) got bronze with 204.925 points.
In the young riders' class, Dertell bagged all trophies and the champion's sash with the 11-year old KWPN bred Gladstone M.H. (by Bordeaux x Montecristo). She posted consistent scores of 71.274% in the team etst, 70.539% in the individual and 71.950% in the freestyle. She totalled 213.763 points for her second gold medal of the week. The silver went to Amy Bachmann on the 11-year old SWS Debutante (by Dancier) who totalled 201.453 points. Beth Rowley and the 11-year old Remi First Class (by Fishermans Friend) got bronze with a total of 200.648 points.
Young Ladies Dominate Australian Senior Grand Prix Championships
With the majority of the Australian Grand Prix team riders (Kristy and Lyndal Oatley, Simone Pearce, Jayden Brown) based in Europe and Mary Hanna only recently returned down under, the stage was set for Dertell to pilot Grand Prix schoolmaster Cennin (by Vivaldi x Donnerhall) to the title.
Seven pairs were in the mix for the senior championship, yet ten pairs started in the first round, the Grand Prix. It were three girls, aged between 18 and 21 years, that stepped onto the podium. Dertell and former Dutch team horse Cennin (Madeleine Witte-Vrees) were a league of their own and won all three rounds. She posted 70.370% in the Grand Prix, 69.575% in the Specia; and 73.765% in the freestyle.
The 20-year old Lindsay Ware and schoolmaster Aristede, a 17-year old Australian warmblood by Aachimedes x Lander previously shown by Shannan Goodwin, got the silver with 139.864% points. She received 67.674% for her Grand Prix test; 67.276% for the Special and 72.190% in the freestyle.
Bronze medal winner Charlotte Phillips celebrated her 21st birthday at the Nationals on freestyle day. With the 15-year old Australian warmblood CP Dresden (by Damsey x Regardez Moi) she finished third overall with 135.421 points after scoring 64.696% in the Grand Prix, 67.021% in the Special and 70.725% in the freestyle.
Results - 2022 Australian Dressage Championships - Boneo
Children
- 1. Ella McConachy - Kasperrado D Andreas - 72.125 - 72.925 --- 145.050
- 2. Rosemary Sutherland - Cherishwood Dream On - 71.500- 73.525 --- 145.025
- 3. Annabel Shoobridge - Noble Dancer - 75.875 - 67.225 --- 143.100
- 4. Katie Chamberlain - Maestoso Mopoke - 65.250 - 62.225 --- 127.475
- Zali Mills - Kizashi - 57.875 - EL --- 57.875
Junior Riders
- 1. Jessica Dertell - I Kilimanjaro - 73.030 - 70.882 - 74.208 --- 218.120
- 2. Kate Kyros - Courtlands Cadman - 69.899 - 66.176 - 72.342 ---- 208.417
- 3. Rosemary Heagney - Redgum James 007 - 68.737 - 66.863 - 69.325 --- 204.925
- 4. Lucy Coventry - Quizzical - 67.778 - 65.637 - 52.267 --- 185.682
- 5. Isla Beames - Neversfelde Whisper - 62.323 - 64.216 - 66.800 --- 193.339
- 6. Alice Lawrence - Samba De Janeiro - 61.566 - 61.421 - 64.108 --- 187.095
- 7. Molly Lawrence - Sentiment - 59.697 - 58.529 --- 118.226
Young Riders
- 1. Jessica Dertell - Gladstone M H - 71.274 - 70.539 - 71.950 --- 213.763
- 2. Amy Bachmann - SWS Debutante - 64.853 - 65.833 - 70.767 --- 201.453
- 3. Beth Rowley - Remi First Class - 64.412 - 67.794 - 68.442 --- 200.648
- 4. Indi Officer - Wisteria - 65.882 - 65.588 - 68.058 --- 199.528
- 5. Hannah Shippen - Yarramee B Bear - 61.961 - 65.196 - 67.342 --- 194.499
- 6. Kodi Tupper - Endless Dream - 63.284 - 64.412 - 66.450 --- 194.146
- 7. Lucy Peters - Sahara Storm - 60.049 - 61.029 - 64.133 --- 185.211
- 8. Felicity Sutherland - Estee - 154.706 - 63.186 - 64.875 --- 182.767
- 9. Olivia Buchanan - Welfine - 61.225 - 58.529 --- 119.754
- 10. Keevah Lennon - Hunterview Rockstar - 59.216 37 - 55.343 --- 114.559
Under 25
- 1. Mary Nitschke - Utopian Cardinal - 65.245 - 65.470 - 70.030 --- 200.745
- 2. Charlie Welsh - Horizonte de Jeu - 65.784 - 62.949 - 64.815 --- 193.548
- 3. Claire Plenty - Queensland - 63.137 - 63.846 - 65.510 --- 192.493
- 4. Jessica Dertell - Eskara de Jeu - 69.559 - 68.846 - RT --- 138.405
- 5. Isabelle Luxmoore - Hill Cottage Jazmira - 65.343 - 58.974 --- 124.317
- 6. Kelsey Josephs - Irock - 60.539 - 59.786 --- 120.325
- 6. Dana Krause - Taittinger VDS - 62.696 - 59.231 --- 121.927
Senior Grand Prix
- 1. Jessica Dertell - Cennin - 70.370% - 69.575% - 73.765% --- 144.135
- 2. Lindsey Ware - Aristede - 67.674% - 67.276% - 72.190% --- 139.864
- 3. Charlotte Phillips - CP Dresden - 64.696% - 67.021% - 70.725% --- 135.421
- 4. Pauline Carnovale - Corinna - 64.478% - DNS - 68.330% --- 132.808
- 5. Jodie Dunstan - Hollands Bend Highlander - 62.261% - 64.872% - 66.115% --- 128.376
- 6. Rebecca Walsh - Jazzari - 64.130% - 63.319% --- 127.449
- 7. Kerry Mack - Mayfield Limelight - 55.804% - DNS - DNS --- 55.804
Related Links
Scores 2022 CDI Boneo