The Sydney CDI has today announced that this year’s event will host a new initiative titled the ‘AEIE 6YO Dressage Futurity’ – and it is set to feature the world’s richest first place prize money for a 6-year-old young dressage horse.
Australian Equestrian Incentive Events (AEIE) – the naming rights sponsor for both the 2025 NSW Young Horse Championships and the 6-Year-Old NSW Dressage Championship – will offer bonus prizemoney in the 6-Year-Old class at the Sydney CDI, determined by the highest two aggregate percentage scores across rounds 1, 2 and 3 of the 6YO class.
An impressive $6,000 is on offer to the AEIE 6YO Dressage Futurity winner, with a total prize pool of $7,500.
“A celebration of Australian Dressage…”
The driving force behind this exciting new initiative is Dan O’Connell of Australian Equestrian Incentive Events, a passionate advocate for the training and development of young horses.
“The AEIE 6YO Dressage Futurity is a celebration of Australian Dressage, and in particular, it is a celebration of Australia’s Young Dressage horses, their breeders, their owners, carers, trainers, and their competition riders,” says Dan of his vision behind the initiative.
“This incentive program is designed to promote the production of future homegrown Olympic heroes and ensure that producing world class young dressage horses continues to be a centre piece and speciality of Australian Dressage.
“Australia is perfectly positioned to be a world leader in producing world class young dressage horses. We have the perfect conditions, pastures, land, bloodlines, and expertise, and with the introduction of the AEIE 6YO Dressage Futurity, we now have another major event to showcase Australia’s incredible young dressage horses”.
Sydney CDI Event Director Toni Venhaus is excited by the new initiative: “The Sydney CDI is proud that Dan O’Connell and AEIE have chosen our event as the platform to launch this unique and rewarding program. This initiative offers owners and riders an incredible opportunity to showcase their young horses at one of the most prestigious events in the equestrian calendar.”
Eligibility and registration
To participate, horses must first qualify according to the conditions of entry for the 6YO Championships at the Sydney CDI and enter the event as usual. Prize money and placings for the NSW Young Horse Championships will be awarded as outlined in the official schedule on the Sydney CDI website.
Once entries have closed, competitors entered in the 6-Year-Old Championships will be invited by AEIE to register for the AEIE 6-Year-Old Futurity Incentive Program. A registration fee of $275 applies to join the Futurity program.
Futurity prize money
The AEIE bonus prize money will be awarded exclusively to participants entered in the AEIE 6YO Dressage Futurity. Winners will be determined by the highest two aggregate percentage scores across rounds 1, 2 and 3 (third round is with a guest rider).
Further information can be found here.
The Sydney CDI runs from 30 April to 3 May 2025 at Sydney International Equestrian Centre. You can find out more here.
