Jessica Dertell and Cennin © Roger Fitzhardinge
By Dana Krause
The torrential rain on day one did not put a damper on the fierce competition present at the Leader Equine Australia 2022 Dressage Championships. The Carlton Performance Horses and Boneo Park team did an amazing job in battling the elements as well as ensuring the competition runs seamlessly.
On Day One the Hygain Prix St George Class saw Victorian and New South Wales riders battle it out for podium places with first going to Deon Stokes riding the striking stallion Don Dancier on a score of 72.059%. Justine Greer was second riding Yarramee Fonzie to a score of 71.353% and third was Serena Ireland riding Royalty R with 71.353%.
Deon backed up his performance in the Hygain Inter I today, day two, for the win on Don Dancier with 71.912%. In second was Serena Ireland riding Royalty R with 69.853% and in third was Justine Greer riding Yarramee Fonzie with 69.118%.
To achieve a top 6 placing in the Stable Ground Medium Championship riders had to score over 70%! The Championship went to Matthew Lord riding Cheryl O’Brien’s stallion with a highlight score of 75.641% in the Medium 4C. Reserve Champion went to David Mckinnon riding QS Sierra with scores of 72.778% and 71.892%.
The Animal Therapeutics Pony Medium Championship was won by Augusta Muir riding Mystic Shadows Cinderella with Reserve Champion going to Rebecca Wicks riding Swanreach Gold Label.
All horses made it through the trot up on Day one to start in the CDI Classes today. The winner of the Leader Equine CDI3* Grand Prix was Jessica Dertell riding Future Farm and Sabble Farms stunning stallion Cennin for a PB score of 70.370%. In second was Lindsey Ware riding Aristede on a score of 67.674% and in third was Michelle Baker riding Bradgate Park Puccini on a score of 66.413%.
David McKinnon and Boulevard 1st in the Advanced 5C on Friday © Roger Fitzhardinge
Similar to the Medium Championship, the Lonsdale St Auto Electrics Advanced saw riders need to score mid 70% to gain a spot on the podium. Brett Parbery riding Sarah Hanslow’s gorgeous stallion Iresias L claimed the overall National Championship with 75.135% in the 5B and 72.436% in the 5C. Reserve Champion was awarded to Robbie Mckinnon and Jane Bartram’s Hollands Bend Rococo on a countback with scores of 74.050% in the 5B and 72.949% in the 5C.
The placegetters in the Advance class on Friday © Roger Fitzhardinge
Jessica Dertell had a fabulous day, not only winning the CDI3* Grand Prix but also secured wins in the Sabble Farm CDI U25 Inter II riding Sabble Farms, Eskara De Jeu on a score of 69.599% and in second was Charlie Welsh riding Horizonte De Jeu on a score of 65.784%. Jess also won the County Saddlery CDI Young Rider Team Test on Sabble Farm’s Gladstone MH with a score of 71.274% with Indi Officer riding Wisteria to second with 65.882% and in the Victorian Dressage Club/Whittlesea Dressage Clubs CDI Junior Team Test Jess Dertell rode Kate Dertell’s stallion Killamanjaro to first with 73.030% and in second was Kate Kyros riding Courtlands Cadman with a PB score of 69.899%.
Fonzie on Thursday competing in the PSG © Roger Fitzhardinge
Tomorrow brings the start of the freestyle classes. For those who are unable to make it to spectate in person, fear not. We will be livestreaming from 8am tomorrow and covering the Hygain Feeds Inter I Freestyle, The Equissage Inter I pony Freestyle, the Khonkes Own Medium Tour Freestyle, Theault Medium Tour Pony Freestyle, The Dancing Horse Grand Prix Pony Freestyle, the CSC Complete Grand Prix CDN Freestyle and the highly anticipated Leader Equine Grand Prix CDI3* Freestyle.
For full results and access to tomorrow’s draw please click here
