Wendi Williamson won the FEI CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle with a total score of 72.300%

© Kirdty Pasto /The Australian Equestrian Team 

By Equestrian Life 

FEI CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle:

Congratulations to New Zealand rider, Wendi Williamson and Don Amour on winning the FEI CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle. The combination won with a total score of 72.300%.

Second place was awarded to Fiona Selby and Tacita, with a total score of 71.865%. Third place went to Pauline Carnovale and Captain Cooks, with a total score of 70.100%. Fourth place was awarded to Sally Rizzuto and Diamond star, while fifth place went to Holly Cutler and Diva Royale, with scores of 69.655% and 65.565% respectively. 

FEI CDN Grand Prix Freestyle:

The FEI CDN Grand Prix Freestyle was won by Lindsey Ware and Aristede, with a total score of 72.058%. Second place was awarded to Louise Curran and Cil Dara Gandalf with a total score of 68.392% Third place went to Marvin Smink and Haya, fourth was awarded to Abbie O’Brien and Magnus Spero, fifth place went to Jenny Bray and CJP Diamond Dazzler, whir fourth went to Samantha Bingham and Richfield. 

FULL RESULTS

Para Equestrian (Individual Tests):

By Zoe Vorenas 

For the sake of those who are unfamiliar with the running of Para Equestrian classes, I will go through a little of it. At the moment, our riders are currently seeking to attain qualifying scores towards the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020. 

Dressage Festival is one of the competitions along the campaign trail where riders must gain 67% or above to class their score as a qualifier towards the games. We have a few events left, all in 2020 now, including Boneo Classic, our Tokyo Test Event and Sydney 3DE. A rider is classified by FEI assessors, then placed into a Grade, ranging from 1 to 5. This is determined on the riders current physical ability, and can change over time as some riders have degenerative conditions, or conditions that fluctuate over time. 

Grade 1 is a walk only test, Grade 2 is a walk/trot test, Grade 3 is a walk/trot test  with some laterals, Grade 4 is walk/trot/canter with laterals (around elementary level) and Grade 5 is around Medium level. 

Marnie in the Grade 1 did a great job, a few little mistakes but she always comes out smiling and happy. Onwards and upwards for these two! 

Vic Davies took the win with her boy, Eddie, once again in the grade 2 with a score of 64.853%. Close behind her was Bridget who put forward a great test, much more go than yesterday and she really worked hard out there. The marking was very harsh today, I must admit, but I think Bridget should be really proud of her ride. Through to the freestyle for these two. Jo was in good spirits after her test today, outlining that it’s a difficult task to get on a horse you haven’t ridden for a long time but she was pleased. Prince Perfect was a late swap for Jo, so she’s done great piloting him around the ring. 

Emma was our sole competitor in the Grade 3, and rode a solid test for a great score of 72.6%. Awesome job, and always such a pleasure to watch these two! Will be great to see what they produce in tomorrow's freestyle. 

Emma Booth and Zidane in the Grade 3 Para class at the Serata Equine Dressage Festival at Boneo Park.

© Kirsty Pasto /The Australian Equestrian Team

Grade 4s showed some excellent work. Claire Graham and her new mount, Der Beste, are starting to work each other out and show some really nice moments in their tests. I can’t wait to see this combination in a few months time with a few more competitions to their name. A really nice horse with great potential! Matilda rode her mare, Devils Chocolate, to another Tokyo qualifying score. A few mistakes in the trot work but she should be happy with her hard work paying off. Amanda Parsons did a fantastic job with Absolute, a gelding who has had no exposure before and found it all a bit much yesterday. Today they put forward some promising work and Mandy should be really pleased with herself. She rides him so well and they’ll be a great partnership. 

I was super happy with Kip today, he was a lot more rideable in the ring and we started to push that 5th gear. Some glimpses of the work we are producing at home, but definitely more to come. He’s such a willing horse, and very very generous, always trying to please his rider. I feel very lucky and privileged every time I get to ride him, I really do. He just gives such a great feeling. 

Zoe Vorenas and Kip.

© Zoe Vorenas

The grade 5 was won by Stuart and his Blueberry 20. Stuart also took out 2nd place with his other horse, Amalfi 20. Shannon Brookes has done a great job riding both horses and really should be proud of her effort. It’s no easy feat riding, grooming and caring for 2 horses on your own, especially when you add a disability to the mix. 

Onto the freestyle tomorrow, which should be great fun. Hopefully the weather is a bit nicer to us, and the rain holds off. 

Thank you to Equestrian Australia for sponsoring the Para Classes and to DF for having us. 

The results from the Serata Equine Dressage Festival can be found here.

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