Judy Dierks Takes Out Grand Prix Kur at 2015 CDI Sydney

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2015 CDI Sydney

It was an extremely happy birthday for Australian FEI rider Judy Dierks on Saturday 9 May 2015 after she secured victory in the 2015 Sydney CDI 3* showcase event, the Grand Prix Freestyle Competition, on Diamond Star. It was standing room only as a huge crowd packed the indoor arena at Sydney International Equestrian Centre on what was the final day of the 2015 Sydney CDI competition, with no less than seven leader board changes during the two-hour Grand Prix Freestyle.

South Australia’s John Thompson proved a crowd favourite for his flamboyant passage down the centreline with Antonello, while Victorian competitors Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina also received considerable applause for their test, which for a time saw them take the lead with 69.30%.

But six-time Sydney CDI Grand Prix Freestyle winner Heath Ryan and his 19-year-old stallion Regardez Moi – described by emcee Gary Wilkinson as “wily veterans of the sport” – soon snatched the lead, scoring just 0.1% to take the top spot. The tussle at the top continued with the lead swapping several more times as scores came in first for Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten (69.375), Katharine Farrell and Luxor 118 (70.250), Mary Hanna on Umbro (72.550), and finally Judy Dierks (72.775).

After a hugely successful three days of competition, Brett Parbery and DP Weltmieser (70.150) couldn’t manage a clean sweep of the Grand Prix events and finished the freestyle in fourth place.

The crowd sang a rousing “Happy Birthday to You” as Judy and Vicki Newham’s Diamond Hit gelding prepared to receive their prize, and gave them a second big cheer during their victory lap of the arena.

Winner of the Intermediate Freestyle Competition was Hawkesbury rider and Australia Olympian Rachael Downs, who put in a wonderful performance on John Potter’s impressive Sir Donnerhall gelding, Silbermond, to top the field of 15 competitors with 72.050%. It was an emotional moment at the evening’s presentation as Rachael’s groom, Helen Bray, was also awarded one of three special trophies of the Sydney CDI, the Mike O’Callahan Groom’s Award for the overall groom of the event, presented by Sandy O’Callahan.

Rachael also lifted the 2015 John Lieutenant Memorial Trophy for the individual horse and rider combination obtaining the best three official scores in the Prix St Georges, Intermediate I, and Intermediate Freestyle, or Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle.

Victorian young rider Tayla Desmet reinforced yesterday’s victory in the CDI-Y with a win in the Young Riders Freestyle, with a technically and artistically impressive test that saw her score her highest mark yet of the three-day competition.

With the judges at E, M and B scoring her over 70%, Tayla and the Rotspon gelding Rodrigo III finished their final test at their first Sydney CDI together on a total of 70.225%, with Queenslander Elloise Devlin and Brimstone Anakiwa in second (69.6%) and Victorian Morgan Duell on Florinzz third (69.575%).

Shanon McKimmie and Ambassi took out the Mulawa Performance CDI Under 25 Grand Prix Freestyle with 62.7%.