Ashwood wins at Brisbane CDI-W

Sheridyn Ashwood-Prestige VDL 
Photograph:Roger Fitzhardinge

Ashwood and her elite squad horse Prestige VDL took out the Grand Prix and the GP Freestyle with NSW rider Sue Hearn andRemmington edging out the local combination by the narrowist of margins in the GP Special. 

The Brisbane CDI-W was the third of four qualifying events for this year's Be the Influence Equestrian Grand Final - Dressage. Riders will have a final chance to qualify for the Final when the NSW State Dressage Championships are held from 6-8 September. 

 26 July 2013

Qualifying for the 'Be the Influence' Equestrian Grand Final moves to Sunshine State

This weekend's Brisbane CDI-W presents another opportunity for dressage riders to qualify for the 2013 Be the Influence Equestrian Grand Final.

There are 10 horse and rider combinations entered in today’s Grand Prix including Sheridyn Ashwood and Prestige VDL who already sit atop the leader board thanks to a strong performance at the second qualifying round which was held at the recent Sydney CDI3*.

Their GP Freestlye score of 73.975% assures the duo will qualify for this year’s Final – which will take place at EQUITANA Sydney from 7-10 November – with Ashwood a chance of increasing her lead after spending time with dressage advisor to Australia Ton de Ridder at the recent national dressage squad clinics.

“Ton was all about taking more risk and asking more and Prestige responded well to that added pressure. I thought the piaffe was good and after our session Ton now thinks it’s worth a 9… let’s hope he is right.

“I really work hard to improve at every CDI and this competition is no exception. Normally I improve day by day as the competition goes on and usually by the third day I do my best performance.

“I really think I can nail a 70-73% in the Grand Prix with my scores to improve traditionally by the third. But of course anything can happen on the day,” she said.

Ashwood is hoping the reduction in travel and home crowd will also lift the pair’s performance this weekend.

 “I find that I have to have Prestige extremely fit to cope with the travel and still be full of running on the third day. Quite often leading into these big events Mr P is worked twice a day to ensure he is 100% fit but this event is only two hours away so I have not had to do this, which is better for the horse and better for me.

“I hope that Queenslander’s will all come and support this show this year, there’s nothing like a big crowd and a lot of atmosphere to lift the horses and perform at your best!

The 12 combinations with the highest Grand Prix Freestlye scores from the four round qualifying series will automatically qualify for the Final. Combinations must also post a score greater than 64 percent.

The Brisbane GP Freestyle is the penultimate qualifying round for the Equestrian Grand Final – Dressage, which will take place at this year’s EQUITANA, Melbourne from November 7-10. 

Qualifying for the Jumping final at this year’s Be the Influence Equestrian Final also resumes in Queensland next weekend with the Gatton CSI1*-W.