The Victorian Dressage Festival concluded at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre on Sunday, with the final CDI Freestyle tests and Championships decided across the remaining levels.
CDI-Y Championship win for Jess Dertell
Every combination in the Whittlesea Plenty Valley Dressage Club CDI-Y Young Rider Freestyle achieved a personal best score on Sunday. In first place was Jessica Dertell riding Future Farms’ young stallion Kilimanjaro, for a score of 75.983%. The combination was also awarded the Championship for the CDI-Y Young Rider Class. Reserve Champion was Tia Rose McKenzie riding Franzisco RW, who finished their Freestyle today closely behind Jessica on a score of 75.458%. Third in the Freestyle was Felicity Sutherland riding Estee on a score of 70.758%.
Clean sweep for Maddison Vallender
Maddison Vallender and Rubinell had another great day in the arena, winning the Elmore Equestrian Club CDI-J Junior Freestyle and also claiming the CDI-J Junior Championship. The pair danced their way to a score of 76.742%, which is a PB for the combination. It has been a hugely successful Victorian Dressage Festival for Maddy, who was also the CDI-U25 Grand Prix Champion with Ronan R and completed five tests for five wins.
In second was Tia Rose McKenzie riding Phenomenon on a score of 72.933%, also achieving Reserve Champion in this class. In third was Emma Hutchinson riding Freshman R with a score of 69.342%.
Sarah Inglis and Rosalie named CDI-P Champions
Sarah Inglis continued her clean sweep in the CDI-P Pony class, winning the Freestyle on a score of 72.633% with her pony Rosalie 252 to take out the Championship. Tess Baker and Hilkens No Kidding were also consistently second to secure Reserve Champion; the pair finished their Freestyle on a score of 70.200%. Third in the Freestyle was Zali Mills riding Kizashi with a score of 68.425%.
Ruth Schneeberger and Miramar Serene claim Medium Tour Championship
Ruth Schneeberger and Miramar Serene continued their winning streak in the Elmore Equestrian Club Medium Tour classes, with first place in Sunday’s FEI Intermediate A/B Freestyle on a score of 68.442%. Wins in all three Medium Tour tests secured them the Elmore Equestrian Club Medium Tour Championship, so it was definitely well worth the drive from South Australia for this combination. Second in the Freestyle was Julie Fernandez riding Genuine River on a score of 65.125%, with the pair also named the Medium Tour Reserve Champions, and then in third was Wendy Kelly and San Fransisco FF with a score of 63.058%.
Closely contested Medium Pony Championship
The Medium Pony Championship was closely contested on Sunday. In the 4.2, the top three combinations finished on varying scores of 66%, with Maddi Growcott and Judith Appleton’s Pen Nant Fire Cracker in first with 66.824%, Mandy Heather and Buckwellpark Limited Edition in second with 66.352%, and Andrea Williams and Arandth Aria Rose in third with 66.284%.
However, the 4.3 saw a shake up with Mandy Heather and Buckwellpark Limited Edition achieved first place with 66.731% to secure them the overall Championship. Reserve Champion went to Maddi Growcott and Pen Nant Fire Cracker, with the pair placing third in the 4.3 with 65.834%. Second in the 4.3 was Nicole McOwn and Gleisberg Champions League on 66.667%.
Novice classes
Monica Board and Freixenet won the Victorian Dressage Club Novice Championship with a win in the 2.2 on a score of 74.063% and second in the 2.3 with 73.357%. Reserve Champion was Lindsey Ware riding the Birmingham stallion, Brighton. The pair were fifth in the 2.2 with 71.485% and first in the 2.3 with 73.929%. Third overall in the Championship was Zoe Farrant and Equella Foxtrot (the pair were also Reserve Preliminary Champions), who finished third in the 2.2. on 72.110% and fourth in the 2.3 on 68.857%.
Kylie Watson and Ibn Ky Tiny Dancer were second in both Victorian Dressage Club Pony Novice tests with scores of 68.828% and 68.000% respectively, to secure the Championship. Reserve Champion was Katherine Van Elmpt and Primrose Park Lily, who were fifth in the 2.2 with 67.578% and first in the 2.3 with 68.643%. In third overall was Chloe Salter and WP Gold Class, fourth was Jessica Olinder riding Rosa Cleve’s Belmore Park Perfect Dancer.
The Racing Victoria Off The Track classes at this year’s event showcased Thoroughbreds in the dressage arena, and the Novice classes were certainly hotly contested with a strong field of 11.
Chloe Gass and Fallbrook Black Tie won the Novice Championship with a second in the 2.2 on a score of 69.922% and first in the 2.3 on a score of 66.715%. Reserve Champion was Sienna Wright and St Andrews, with a fifth in the 2.2 on a score of 66.797% and second in the 2.3 with a score of 65.643%. At just 14 years of age, Sienna has taken over the reins of St Andrews – a very successful show horse with former owner Natalie McKay. Sienna has enjoyed success at Royal Show level this year with Andy, and now to finish the season as the Reserve Champion OTT Novice combination at the Victoria Dressage Festival is quite an achievement.
Third overall in the Championship was Catherine Sfregola and Khezerabad, fourth was Imogen Hewitt and Red Dazine, fifth was Jessica Morrison and Afterlife and sixth was Regina Knobel and Hillview Park Denman Keikari. It is so amazing to have the support of Racing Victoria to help run events such as this and shine a light on the talent and opportunities for racehorses in their life post racing.
As always events like The Victorian Dressage Festival could not be run without the tireless work of everyone behind the scenes. From event director, Lizzy Schirmer and secretary Karen Lever, to the wider event crew, judges, sponsors and officials, it truly takes a team to pull off an event such as this one. Congratulations to everyone involved!
