The Grand Prix Special Presentation
The fourth and final day of the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships was very relaxed. I have a feeling this was because all people concerned, including horse and rider, were a tad weary after three long days of competition.
The Needs for Steeds FEI Prix St Georges Championship had 35 competitors and like all the small tour competitions, there were lots of competitive combinations involved. Over the three days, the top ten horses in the small tour competitions were pretty much the same. Like yesterday's Prix St Georges Challenge, it was Matthew Dowsley on Flavio (owned by the Dowsett family) who came first. Tor Van Den Berge and Cheryl O'Briens stallion, Lauries As, came second and CDI-Y rider Elliot Patterson on Leandro came third.
Ten combinations took part in Pessoa Dressage Grand Prix Special. Matthew Dowsley on Andrea Beatty's gelding, PSI De Caprio, won the competition. This was a great achievement as the horse is relatively new to Grand Prix. Second went to Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi and third went to Victorian rider Caroline Wagner on the big liver chestnut, Tango V.
Matthew Dowsley (NSW) riding PSI De Caprio in the Grand Prix Special
For the Wagners EA Elementary Championship there were 2 competitions, the 3C and 3D. With no surprise to many of the spectators, the Champion went to Jayden Brown on San Andreas who won both tests and seems to be unbeatable! And the Reserve Champion went to Nicole Tough on Dante who came second in both tests. Both these horses are owned by the Dowsett family. I imagine Jayden and Nicole will be smiling all the way back to Queensland. Rodney Martin on Andrea Beatty's gelding SS Sonata Hit came third in both tests as well.
The final presentation was held in the Trade Village and although some of the horses had already hit the Highways to head home, there was still a good turn up to support today's place getters. Not only was there new champions made but more importantly there were lots of riders that achieved their personal best. Congratulations to everyone who helped make the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships the success it was. But like all good things, it too had to come to an end!
For all results CLICK HERE
Photos thanks to Franz Venhaus
