Judith Dierks sets the pace in the Grand Prix CDI-W at Nationals
Judith Dierks stepped-up to claim the Grand Prix Championship at the Australian Dressage Championships after winning Friday’s Grand Prix CDI-W, held in the indoor area at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre. She scored 68.82% with her gelding Diamond Star, owned by Vicki Newham. Second, was Heath Ryan riding the 12yo gelding Utopian Cardinal in 67.44% (owner Anthony Thornhill) and third was Heath's wife, Rozzie scoring 66.84% with the warmblood she owns, Jarrah R.
"I was really happy with Diamond Star", shares Judith Dierks."He is a funny and cheeky horse with a lot of personality. He thinks he is clever and likes doing a bit of his own thing. I have had trouble in the past with the canter pirouette and from where I was sitting and according with his owner Vicki who is a very good critic, it was much better today so I am really happy with that. The trot and the passage had a lot of lift so that was good. He was bright and it felt fun."
Judy's looking forward to tomorrow's GP Freestyle CDI-W starting at 7.20pm in the Indoor Arena. " I have to be careful I don't get too excited with the whole night thing and the Kur, the music... You get a bit erratic, the adrenaline kicks in for the rider but I need to stay calm to keep my horse focused and correct."
The FEI Young Rider CDI-Y Team test was won by the 17-year-old Youth Recognition Squad member Tayla Desmet. The Victorian rider partnered with her great Rodrigo III to win this class. The combination scored 67.71%.
Katharine Farrell and her imported Arabian Warmblood/Hanoverian Luxor 118 won the warm-up class U25 CDI Intermediate II, with a score of 66.21%.
The Advanced Championship was won by Matthew Dowsley from NSW and AEA Prestige after the pair won the Advanced 5.2 and finished second in the Advanced 5.3. Matthew also won the Grand Prix CDN riding Adloo Richard. Sharon Potter, riding Bradgate Park Delilah, owned by Beverley Healey, was declared reserve champion after winning the Advanced 5.3 and finishing fifth in the 5.2.
After presentations, Matthew shared his debrief of the day with us. "I was very happy with AEA Prestige, owned by Denise Ceddia. He was a little bit fresh in the 5.3 and worked extremely well in the 5.2. In the CDN, Adloo Richard really tried hard. I was very happy with the piaffe-passage, the transitions were quite good and the piaffe is getting stronger so I am very happy with him." Tomorrow we will get to see him in the Intermediate I Freestyle with Don Desandro and on Sunday in the CDN Freestyle with Adloo Richard (owner Diane Jenkyn).
After finishing first in both the Prix St Georges and the Intermediate II classes yesterday, Deon Stokes took the Intermediate I today, riding Don Dancier, with again a very strong +70 score with 73.079%. His stunning Hanoverian Stallion is owned by Kate Barton from WA.
The Intermediate B class was won by Alexis Hellyer, riding Bluefields Floreno, who scored 67.833%. She also took out the Intermediate Championship. Alycia Targa was Reserve Champion.
Alexis has had Bluefields Floreno, owned by Jj and Lys Fuchs, since the beginning of the year. "The horse is amazing. He is still green. He's had two on the same day starts to qualify so it's a big thing for him. He is a horse who gives a 150% all the time and it is just a matter of getting him stronger now. Tomorrow is really just fun for me. The horse has never done a Freestyle before and it is a big thing. I would love to mention that he did up to small tour with Janina Kletke, who has done a super job with him. I hope to continue the partnership, I am lucky to have the ride to continue on to Grand Prix hopefully."
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