Wow! Sheridyn Ashwood and Prestige VDL Photo: Franz Venhaus
What’s great about competitions like the Sydney CDI is that by the second day, a number of horse and rider combinations have already proven that they are in top form and therefore have set a benchmark of the quality needed to be competitive at the different levels of competition. The question always is can the placegetters of the previous day maintain their form or will other members of the field raise the bar and give them a run for their money.
The Mulawa Performance FEI Intermediate I (CDI) was a great example of this. If yesterday was going to be a measure on today’s performance then it would be Brett Parbery and Tor Van Den Berge battling it out once again. Guess what – It was identical! Brett on Susan Duddy’s DP Weltmieser came first, Tor and Cheryl O’Brien’s Lauries As came second, Brett on the Farrell Family’s Aber Hallo 29 came third and Tor on Kaz Roe’s Donna Bonita came third.
As yesterday’s Under 25s Intermediate II was so inspiring, I made sure I was there to see every horse. Unfortunately, today’s competition wasn’t quite the same. Most combinations had moments where they hit a wall - another learning curve of the road to Grand Prix. In saying that, like all tests, there was some good movements which I’m sure they were pleased with. Like yesterday, Jayden Brown on Furst Friedrich came first, second went to Megan Bryant on Northern Xanthus III and third went to Alexis Hellyer on Waca W.
Once again, a good size audience gathered to watch the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix Special (CDI). One of the highlights (for want of a better word) was when Utopian Cardinal ridden by Heath Ryan decided to take off for the last few strides of the extended canter. Within a couple of strides, Heath had him back in rhythm and executed a good canter pirouette on cue – pretty impressive!
By the end of the day, second place went to Rozzie Ryan on GV Bullwinkle, third to Caroline Wagner on Tango V and first place was well deserved with Sheridyn Ashwood and her beautiful stallion Prestige VDL. Even though they had a few mistakes, Sheridyn and Prestige managed to break the 70 mark, 70.340 to be exact. When I caught up with her she was in a state of shock, “I can’t believe it,” she said shaking her head. So how does Sheridyn plan for this sort of test? “I know it sound funny but I visualise every movement, every aid, what rhythm I want, pretty well everything. It can take me up to an hour. If I have it right in my head, then I’m confident!” Well, it certainly worked for Sheridyn today. I can’t wait till tomorrow night to see her freestyle.
The last competition for the indoor was the Horseland FEI Young Rider Individual Test (CD-Y). This competition is for riders between the age of 16 and 21 and the test has the same difficulty as the Prix St Georges test. There was four riders from Victoria, two from NSW and one from New Zealand. NSW rider, Katherine Farrell, on her stunning gelding Luxor 118 came first, Elizabeth Hulin also from NSW came second on Moscow and Victorian rider Victoria Stuckey came third on Mayfield Miracle.
Tomorrow will be a huge day with the finals of the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia’s NSW Young Dressage Horse Championships, four freestyle competitions, Intermediate II, the New Holland Young Jumping Horse competition and then after all the classes have finished, there will be the Sydney CDI Après Party till 12.30am – sounds like a lot of fun!
Tickets available from the entrance on Saturday.
The Sydney CDI – Where all the Stars Gather – be part of it!
For results and more information visit www.sydneycdi.com
Article by Scott Pollock
