Alicat ridden by Katherine Strelein together with Mayfield Be Brave ridden by Caroline Balog.
© Lucy Cambourn Photography
By Julie Vandyke
Three days of great competition in autumn sunshine saw records tumble again at the 2019 Donges Supa IGA Young Dressage Championships.
Held at their grounds on the Bendick Murrell Recreation facility, NSW, Australia, the annual championships again saw record numbers with over 300 horses entered – up from 252 last year – and some 230 riders including some from as far away as Phillip Island.
“Our hard working committee was thrilled with the response again this year,” said President Megan Bryant. “Our aim is always to provide a professional and well run event with a welcoming and friendly country atmosphere and it has been so lovely to get so much positive feedback from competitors, judges, sponsors and trade stalls that they enjoy being part of it.”
She also thanked Dressage New South Wales and Equestrian New South Wales for their continued support of the event through the NSW Regional Dressage Festival Series.
BHM Spanish Amor ridden by Rebecca Walshe won the Medium and Advanced Champion.
© Lucy Cambourn Photography
The 2019 championships also celebrated a special milestone with Donges Supa IGA being the major sponsor of the event for 10 years. Members of the Young Dressage committee made a special presentation of a framed photo to Robert Donges and Wendy Silk of Donges Supa IGA in Young acknowledging their valued and long standing support of the event. Robert Donges also attended the championships to perform the Official Opening on the Saturday, along with local Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke MP and Hilltops Council Mayor Brian Ingram.
Indeed the entries were so large this year, it necessitated the OC putting in a seventh sand arena at the grounds in the weeks leading up to the event. Some 100 temporary stables and 40 temporary yards were also erected to accommodate the large number of equine athletes while the human athletes appreciated the little extra touch of the complimentary pampering products in the showers.
The Riders Welcome barbeque and the Swinging Bridge Wines happy hours during presentations on Friday and Saturday nights were also enjoyed as always and a large crowd gathered to enjoy the Masterclass presented by Roger Fitzhardinge on Friday afternoon.
Kalimna Hotshot ridden by Eliza Newton won FEI Small Tour Reserve Champion.
© Lucy Cambourn Photography
Shopping was also a feature with the 20 trade stalls on site while the Sponsors Morning tea on Saturday provided the committee with another opportunity to thank some of the 100 much valued sponsors.
With competitors ranging from eight years old to 85 years young and tests from Preparatory level to Grand Prix, there was truly something for everyone with Freestyles and a Prix Caprilli adding to the entertainment. With the hundreds of wonderful prizes distributed, including the lovely Champion rugs for all levels from Bucas Rugs & Edinburgh Rugs, the floats and trucks departed into the Sunday dusk – but no doubt they will all be back next year to enjoy the Young Dressage championships again.
Source: Event press release
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