NSW Southern Highlands rider Sue Hearn and her 14-year old Australian warmblood gelding Remmington scored 71.275% to won the showcase event, the Grand Prix Freestyle, at the 2016 Sydney CDI 3* on Saturday evening 9 April 2016. Hearn edged out New Zealand's John Thompson who finished second on Antonello with 70.53%.
Riding last in the class in front of a packed indoor arena at Sydney International Equestrian Centre (SIEC), Sue and Remmington (by Riverdance x Imperial Prince xx) ended a highly successful Sydney CDI by putting in a stunning performance to score 71.275%.
It was the second big win for the pair following their success in the Prydes EasiFeeds Grand Prix on Thursday, April 7, which was the final qualifier on home soil for Australian riders looking to book a berth in the European show-down to decide the four combinations travelling to the Rio Olympics.
“This is really a dream come true for me,” she told the crowd during the award ceremony. “My beautiful horse is just getting a little bit better all the time."
The Australian based New Zealand rider John Thompson was the runner-up on his 14-year old Hanoverian gelding Antonello (by Anamour x Winnebago). Thompson and Antonello were the winners of the Grand Prix Special on Friday.
Earlier that day Brett Parbery took out the Intermediaire I Freestyle on Jane Farrell's 9-year old Danish warmblood gelding Larenso (by Bogegaardens Laurino x Solos Landwind) and was named 2016 Sydney CDI Small Tour Champion.
Accepting his award, Brett told the story behind Larenso, saying he found the horse on YouTube. “We found him on the top of a mountain in the south of France,” Brett told the crowd. “We tested him and I said … we've wasted our time. By the fourth day we just couldn't get him on the plane quick enough. He is just the most delightful horse, I absolutely adore him, and I really hope … that he goes all the way.”
Brett's Olympic hopeful, DP Weltmeister, missed the Sydney CDI due to an injury, and Brett said a final decision is yet to be made on whether he will travel overseas to take part in the Olympic selection process.
“My horse that I'm hopefully trying to go to the Olympics on unfortunately is not here, he bruised the sole of his foot so he's not at this show,” he said. “But I've filled out all the paperwork and we're going to make a decision in the next few weeks if we'll go to Europe and be a part of the selection process.”
Brett also took out the 2016 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.
Young Rider Mary Warren and her Australian bred Mindarah Park Raphael (by Ramadan x Jive Magic) scored a hattrick when they posted a winning score of 71.73% in the Young Riders Kur to Music. Under 25 rider Katherine Farrell did exactly the same aboard the Hanoverian bred Luxor (by Londonderry x Argentinus) winning the U25 Kur to Music with 69.78%.
Photo © Franz Venhaus
Related Links
Scores 2016 CDI Sydney
Thompson Aces 2016 CDI Sydney Grand Prix Special
Sue Hearn Stakes Her Claim on Rio Short List with Grand Prix Win at 2016 CDI Sydney