The 2012 New South Wales State Dressage Championships in Australia are the final opportunity for riders to secure their start in this year’s Dressage Grand Final which will form part of the Equestrian Grand Final to be held at Equitana in Melbourne.
Top horse and rider combinations from NSW and beyond will converge on the Sydney International Equestrian Centre for the annual event which will take place over three days commencing on Friday 31 August. It is the final in a series of five Dressage Grand Final qualifying events which began in March with Dressage and Jumping with the Stars. Other qualifying events have included the Sydney CDI in May, the Melbourne CDI-W in June and Brisbane CDI-W in July.
Following this weekend’s event, the 12 horses and rider combinations with the highest percentages from the five Grand Prix Freestyle qualifiers will automatically qualify for a position at the Dressage Grand Final. Combinations which have contested multiple events will have their best result count. For the final, EA will award a further three horse and rider combinations with a wild card entry to take the startlist to 15.
The leaderboard is currently occupied by the accomplished Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi who achieved their highest score for the series at the Sydney CDI. Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina IV sit in second position thanks to an outstanding result at the same event. Newcomers David Shoobridge and OO Seven are in third place after they scored an impressive 70.425 at their first CDI outing at the Brisbane CDI-W.
All eyes are sure to be on David and his KWPN stallion this weekend as they aim to repeat this performance.
The Grand Prix Freestyle will take place on Sunday 31 August commencing at 3pm. Admission to each of the three days of competition is free for spectators and all Dressage enthusiasts are encouraged to come along and support the riders.
Related Links
Qualifying Events for the 2012 Equestrian Grand Final in Melbourne
Heath Ryan's Gamble Pays off at 2011 Equestrian Grand Final in Sydney