A solid performance from Rozzie Ryan and Greenoaks Legend ensured a well deserved victory in the Intermediate Freestyle at the Sydney CDI*** International Grand Prix here Saturday.
With strong performances all weekend, Ryan continued in fine form to score a very impressive 69.32% with the Clyde Wunderwald owned eight-year-old warmblood.
USA rider Francesca Nicoletti rode a superb test aboard Maurice and Jane Bruce's Neversfelde Feuer, to gain her second place. The test involved some wonderful choreography, with Kudu performing lovely canter pirouettes. The choice of music superbly complemented the mare, and ensured a very elegant test, and a 68.55% result.
Heath Ryan rode Susie Duddy's mare Donna Carrera into third position, with a score of 68.47%. Occasional loss of balance and some mistakes in the tempi changes were more than made up for with lovely extensions in trot and canter and a very good extended walk.
In fourth place was the gentle giant Northern Invader, ridden by Vicky Robertson. The NSW combination scored 67.05%, and showed lovely rhythmical, forward trot work, but unfortunately made mistakes in the three time sequence changes. He redeemed himself showing brilliant form and the correct sequence in the two time changes.
The Morgan-cross-stock horse Aura Dell Alexander ridden by Amelia Legge gained fifth place, with a score of 65.90%, just ahead of Heath Ryan aboard DP Christopher. Despite missing a compulsory element of the test by not completing a left canter pirouette, and thus gaining no marks for the movement, Heath still performed a consistent, well ridden test, scoring 64.7%.
Seventh and eighth place went to Renee Pedretti, aboard both her mounts. She rode Northern Regency into seventh place with 64.15%, and Sunbury Lodge Thomas into eighth with 63.80%.