Outstanding performances at the Saddleworld Dressage Championships

The very successful Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships are over for another year and the Australian Dressage Committee (ADC) would like to congratulate the winners of some very special awards which are presented at this event.  

 ADC Chair Mary Seefried congratulated all recipients of these prestigious awards, particularly Nicole Tough of Queensland.   

 “Nicole had a very successful year and it is well deserved recognition for her dedication to the sport, winning four gold medals on three different horses.”

The National Dressage Gold Performance Medals which are supported by the ADC are awarded for outstanding performances during the 12 months prior to the National Championships.    The ADC congratulates this year’s winners and particularly the extraordinary performance of Nicole

 2014 Recipients

Novice - 3 performances of 75% or more at each level

• Bradgate Park Delilah ridden by Sharon Potter (NSW) and owned by Bev Healy and Sharon Potter.

Medium - 3 performances of 70% or more at each level 

• Jaybee Angelina ridden by Justine Greer (Vic) and owned by Justine Greer
• Fioretta ridden by Nicole Tough (Qld) and owned by Nicole Tough
• Borsato ridden by Nicole Tough (Qld) and owned by Traci Bolt
• Don Dancier ridden by Deon Stokes (WA) and owned by Kate Barton
• Silbermond ridden by Rachel Downs (NSW) and owned by John Potter

Advanced – 3 performances of 70% or more 

• Borsato ridden by Nicole Tough (Qld) and owned by Traci Bolt
• First Famous ridden by Lisa Martin ( NSW) and owned by Lisa Martin
• Milfield Dominique ridden by Glenda De Wit ( NSW) and owned by Glenda de Wit
• Furst Tyme ridden by Nicole Tough (Qld)  and owned by Nicole Tough

Small Tour – 3 Performances of 70% or more across the Small Tour

• Diamond Star ridden by Judy Dierks ( NSW) and owned by Vicki Newham
• Bellario ridden by Deon Stokes ( WA) and owned by Kate Barton

Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships 2014 Perpetual Trophy Recipients

Heath Ryan (NSW) on his ever young stallion Regardez Moi won The Crown Law Memorial Trophy presented by Mrs Erica Taylor to the winner of the Grand Prix Special.  Erica is a former Australian international dressage representative, on Crown Law, from the World Dressage Championships at Cedar Valley, Canada in 1986. The pair went on to compete at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, making them the second-ever individual Dressage combination to compete for Australia at an Olympic Games.

The Dietmar Specht Memorial Trophy was won by Elise Devlin (Qld) on Brimstone Anikawa. This award is designed to encourage talented young dressage riders.  Riders must be under 30 years of age and the winner is chosen from the best two placings in official competitions from Elementary to Grand Prix including Freestyles and Grand Prix Special.   The late Dietmar Specht, was a respected judge and veterinarian form Germany who judged the FEI Challenge in Australia and helped the Australian riders a great deal with his interest and knowledge.

The Rod Barker Memorial Trophy was won by Rachel Downs (NSW).  This trophy is presented to the rider with the highest percentage score gained during the Australian Dressage Championships, excluding Freestyles and young horse competitions.  It commemorates Rod Barker who was not only an outstanding vet but more so a passionate, competitive and enthusiastic dressage rider, coach and mentor who gave all his spare time to the sport, from coaching and riding to fundraising and working tirelessly for the betterment of the sport.

Photos from the 2014 Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships are available to view HERE