The 2014 Australian Dressage Championships Conclude
The Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships drew to a close yesterday evening following the conclusion of the Novice, Medium, Grand Prix Special, Prix St Georges Stars of the Future and the Young Rider Freestyle CDI-Y along with the crowning of the Australian Dressage Champions.
Daniella Dierks and Solo Feliz were crowned the Novice Champions following wins in the 2.2 (75.28%) and 2.3 (74.13%) while Melissa Van Den Berge and Danciero were the Novice runners up.
Daniella Dierks was also named the Elementary Champion on Fursten Hit following a 2nd place in the 3.2 (71.29%) and a score of 69.41% saw them finish with another second place in the (3.3). Emma Flavelle and Cabaret C were named the Elementary runners up.
It was neck and neck for the title of Medium Champion as Rachel Downs and Elliot Patterson both placing first and second in each class. Downs and Silbermond placed 1st in the 4.2 (76.11%) and 2nd in the 4.3 (69.18%) whilst Patterson and Boronia HG came 2nd in the 4.2 (72.69%) and 1st in the 4.3 on (71.03%). Downs was crowned the Champion and Patterson was named reserve.
The Advanced Champion went to Mark Arthur and Show Master and Alicia Targa on CP Dresden were named the runners up. Arthur was a convincing winner as he was unbeaten in both tests receiving 68.47% in the 5.2 and 69.82% in the 5.3.
Victorian based rider Morgan Duell and Florinzz took out the FEI Young Rider Freestyle CDI-Y, sitting very closely in equal 2nd was Elloise Devlin and Brimstone Anakiwa and Elisabeth Hulin and Moscow.
Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi who were undefeated throughout the championships, won the Grand Prix Special (68.84) with Ryan also taking out a close second position on his Regardez Moi protégé Utopian Cardinal (67.21%).
Deon Stokes enjoyed a successful Championships on Bellario, and finished on a high with 1st position in the Prix St Georges Stars of the Future class with a score of (68.76%), Judith Dierks and Diamond Star who also enjoyed success over the four days finished in 2nd place (67.65%).
Lilah Nieuwland & GREENOAKS WELTMANN Photo: Franz Venhaus