Sheridyn Ashwood and her 16-year old Dutch warmblood and Holsteiner licensed stallion Prestige VDL (by Silvano N x Good Times) scored a hattrick by winning the Grand Prix Kur to Music at the 2013 CDI Sydney on Saturday evening 4 May 2013.
As four freestyles featured on the last day of the 2013 CDI Sydney music could be heard filtering from the indoor throughout the surrounding parklands. It was a full program which not only included dressage but also Young Jumping Horse Classes, an impressive A Capella choir, Gold Medallist Joann Formosa riding her winning Freestyle on PB Worldwide and a demonstration from Olympian Lyndal Oatley. With all seats booked for this evening’s Hamilton Island Grand Prix Freestyle it was destined to be a great day!
One of the biggest questions of the day was who was going to win the Intermediaire I freestyle CDN. Brett Parbery and Tor Van Den Berge dominated the top four positions in the small tour classes over the last couple of days and received the same places in both classes. A lot of spectators filled the indoor to see if the freestyle would have a different ending. Unfortunately for Tor, Brett once again claimed the first position on DP Weltmieser (72.525), Tor came second on Lauries As (69.775) and third went to Brett on Aber Hallo 29 with a score of 69.125.
The highlight of not only the day but also the event was the Hamilton Island Grand Prix Freestyle CDI 3*. As Sheridyn Ashwood and her stallion Prestige VDL had won both of the GP classes so far, she was the hot favourite. It was mentioned that Sheridyn was going to increase the difficulty of the test. The pressure must have been on!
Rozzie Ryan and GV Bullwinkle were the 6th combination to hit the arena. Their test was a pleasure to experience. Rozzie floated from movement to movement with music that complimented both the choreography and rhythm. This was enough to put them in the lead but only until Sheridyn and Prestige VDL had their turn. This duo who had won both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special give it all they had. It was a power packed test, pushing the limits right under the judges noses. After the final halt, both Sheridyn and the audience new they had a new leader – the crowd erupted as Sheridyn fell forward hugging her horse. The very next combination was Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi. As usual Heath put on a great performance which was good enough to shoulder his way in- between his wife and Sheridyn, giving him second place.
“I’m riding a very, very special horse, he’s wonderful. I’m lucky to ride such a special animal as this,” Sheridan said.
Text by Scott Pollock
Photo © Franz Venhaus
Related Links
Scores 2013 CDI Sydney
Sheridyn Ashwood Does the Double at the 2013 CDI Sydney
Maiden Victory for Sheridyn Ashwood in 2013 CDI Sydney Grand Prix