A full house packed the Indoor Arena at Sydney’s International Equestrian Centre this afternoon to watch the final competitions for this weekend’s Sydney CDI***. The Zilco Intermediate Freestyle, Stallion Show and Hamilton Island International Grand Prix Freestyle
again saw some outstanding performances by all.
For Heath Ryan, though, this CDI has been a dream come true with great performances in the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix Special, Needs for Steeds Intermediate II and the Hamilton Island Grand Prix Freestyle where again he took out first place. During the presentation of the Grand Prix Freestyle, Heath thanked event organisers and sponsors – in particular his sponsor of 18 years and owner of Regardez Moi, Margaret Evans, for her support, encouragement and friendship.
In thanking the sponsors, Health also acknowledged the commercial value Dressage riders provide their sponsors. He stressed “every single rider here tonight gives 100% to the management of their horse and development of the sport - 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And you have my word that I will be doing everything within my power to improve the profile of the Dressage in Australia".
Other place getters included very competitive rider Brett Parbery riding the 18-hand gelding Victory Salute (bred and owned by Carolyn Lieutenant) less than one percent behind Heath. Followed by Rozzie Ryan on the impressive imported mare Donna Carrera in third place and Sue Hearn on Manhattan on forth place. The NSW Sport and Recreation Prix St Georges Derby was contested by 5 Nations this year with representatives from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Canada each sending two riders to compete on loan horses - provided by Australian riders not competing in the Derby.
Australian competitors Rachel Sanna and Rozzie Ryan took out first place in the International Derby with a total of 124.7 points, followed by Canada on 122.6 and Great Britain on 119.15.
After the presentation Rachel Sanna said “we were very grateful for the horses we drew. We couldn’t have won without the support of fabulous owners who provide their horses for total strangers to ride. Both horses (Silkston and Byalee Gold) tried their hearts out and we managed to guide them around with as few mistakes as possible. It was great fun; it was a serious competition and best of all we won for Australia.” IRT Advanced Tournament elimination rounds were held yesterday with only 12 of the 25 riders nominated making it thought to the final today. Linda Foster on 10 year old gelding Mauritius took out the championships with a score of 68.9%. In second place was Claire Wickins riding her 12 year old imported stallion Worldwide PB and less than 0.1% behind Claire was Sharron Power taking out third place on Montevideo. The CopRice Young Horse Championships were fiercely contested by many of the professional riders and trainers in the country, with Maree Tomkinson’s imported 5 year old Diamantina by Diamond Hit taking out the Champion of Champions awarded by international judges Leif Törnbald (Denmark) and Isobel Wessels (Great Britain) and Susan Hoevenaars (Australia)
"The standard of young horses coming into the dressage scene in Australia is truly promising” Mr Törnbald said. “With many of the serious competitors now investing in serious breeding programs and importing or breeding from proven European blood lines,
Related Links
Scores 2007 CDI Sydney
The first International riders have arrived for the CDI Sydney
International Derby Competition at CDI Sydney