The fourth and final day of the 2012 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 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 Grand Prix Special. Matthew Dowsley on Andrea' Beatty's gelding, PSI De Caprio, won the competition. This was a great achievement as the horse has 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.
For the 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 2012 Australian Dressage Championships the success it was. But like all good things, it too had to come to an end!
by Scott Pollock
Photo © Franz Venhaus
Related Links
Scores 2012 Australian Dressage Championships
Tomkinson Sweeps to Kur Victory at 2012 Australian Dressage Championships
Dowsley and Flavio Lead the Way in the Prix St Georges at the 2012 Australian Championships
Heath Ryan Wins Intermediaire II on Day One of 2012 Australian Dressage Championships
Tomkinson Claims Grand Prix at 2012 Australian Dressage Championships