Elliot Patterson and Hollands Bend Francis. Image: Equisoul Photography.

Champion of Champions crowned at DJWTS

By Equestrian Life

View Thursday’s report here.

View Friday's report (including Young Dressage Pony Champion of Champions & CDI-W Grand Prix results) here.

Saturday at P.S.I. Dressage & Jumping with the Stars saw the 2024 DJWTS Young Horse Champion of Champions crowned in both the dressage and jumping arenas.

The 2024 P.S.I. DJWTS Young Dressage Horse Champion of Champions was awarded to the 4YO Champion, Hollands Bend Francis. By Franklin out of Rasta (Stedinger), Hollands Bend Francis was ridden by Elliot Patterson for owner Samantha Sidwell and was bred by Hollands Bend Warmbloods.

In the jumping arena, the 2024 P.S.I. DJWTS Young Jumping Horse Champion of Champions went to the 5YO Kentaur Alba (Absolute Ego Z x Barrabadeen Captivate), ridden and owned by Strobe Knox.

Kentaur Alba and Strobe Knox. Image: James Abernethy.

Young Dressage Horse Championships

The 5YO and 6YO age championships were decided earlier in the day with the 5YO Young Dressage Horse Championship going to Vittorio DS (Vitalis × Ampere 65) for breeder, owner and rider David Shoobridge, scoring 79.8.

Glenhill Vivid was named Champion 6YO Young Dressage Horse, scoring 77.6 to record a third age championship title for Glenhill Sporthorses at this year’s event. Vivid was bred by Michelle Williams, is owned by Christan Trainor of Glenhill, and was ridden by Riley Alexander.

CDI-W, Aachen Challenge & CDI-Ch

The CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle saw Jess Dertell claim victory for the second year in a row with Sabble Farm’s stallion Cennin, this time on a score of 74.985%. Jess received the Marg McIver Trophy, donated by the Victorian Dressage Club. Jess also claimed third place with Syriana on 73.365%.

Jessica Dertell and Cennin. Image: Equisoul Photography.

Second place went to David McKinnon and Estupendo on 74.495%, fourth to Mary Hanna and Ivanhoe on 73.275%, and fifth to Michelle Baker with Bradgate Park Puccini on 70.070%.

The Aachen Challenge Final took place Saturday afternoon, with the top six young riders from the qualifying round taking part. Jess Dertell enjoyed another win, again claiming this class for the second year running. Jess and Zanzibar scored 76.929%. Hannah Rockwell and Baumann's Diorella were second on 75.697%, with Olivia Gillespie and Amsterdam third on 74.804%.

Sponsored by Rob and Mary Hanna, the Aachen Challenge is an event designed to give a top young rider an opportunity to expand their horizons through a sponsored trip to attend the world’s most prestigious horse show held in Aachen Germany. The winner receives tickets to Aachen and an airfare enabling them to witness top riders competing in all equestrian disciplines.

The CDI-Ch Childrens Team test went to Morgan Cockerall riding IBN KY Gold Rush, scoring 70.75%. Morgan was another repeat winner this year at DJWTS, having won the class last year!

Full results and draws from the dressage can be found via Equestrian Hub.

Young Jumping Horse Championships

Earlier in the day before Kentaur Alba was named Champion of Champions, the age championships for the show jumpers were decided.

The 4YO Young Jumping Horse Final was won by Friday’s winner of round 2, Jess Kiernan and Glenara Argyle (Diamant de Semilly x ASB Conquistador); the pair scored 89.07.

Jess Kiernan and Glenara Argyle. Image: James Abernethy.

The 5YO Young Jumping Horse Final of course saw Kentaur Alba (Absolute Ego Z x Barrabadeen Captivate) score 89.97 to claim the win for owner and rider Strobe Knox, while the 6YO Young Jumping Horse Final went to Glenara Leonardo Z (Lux Z x ASB Conquistador) for rider Samantha Dernee.

Glenara Leonardo Z and Samantha Dernee. Image: James Abernethy.

The 7YO Young Jumping Horse Final was won by the chestnut mare Kampari for Olympian James Paterson-Robinson.

Kampari and Olympian James Paterson-Robinson. Image: James Abernethy.

The World Cup was held to conclude a spectacular showcase of jumping on the polo fields. There was a field of 23 riders who battled it out for the PSI Dressage & Jumping with the Stars 2024 World Cup win, and it was Sam Overton and Oaks Cassanova who came out on top. You can read more about Sam and 'Ed' in the March 2024 issue of Equestrian Life.

Sam Overton and Oaks Cassanova. Image: James Abernethy.

Second place went to Robert Palm and Jaybee Vibrant, third to Phillip Lever and Billionaire NZPH, fourth to Jennifer Wood and Cocaine Ego Z, fifth to Mattea Davidson and Checkamour D (who won the previous World Cup leg at Shepparton), and sixth to Madeline Sinderberry and Gredstedgaards Number One.

Full results and draws from the show jumping can be found via Equipe.

Performance Ponies

The Current Stars Performance Pony (8YO+) Championship went to Casino Nights for Tayla Anderson on 91.961.

The 6 & 7YO Performance Pony Championship went to Jamie-Lee Verne and Freemans Lodge Dakeela on 89.687%, while the 4 & 5YO Performance Pony Championship was won by Christina Grear and Parklands Celtic Storm CP on 92.5%, with the latter being named Performance Pony Champion of Champions.

Full results can be found via the DJWTS Facebook page.

View Thursday’s report here.

View Friday's report here.

Published 24 March 2024.

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