EA Australian Youth Dressage Championships - Congratulations to all
Dressage NSW conducted the Australian Youth Dressage Festival on behalf of Equestrian Australia at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre on the 1 to 3 July 2016.
DNSW was delighted to have on board Mary Houghton and Joanna Gunn as the event co-ordinators for the event. Both ladies are experienced having been involved for many years at Club level. They both did a super job and should feel very proud of what was achieved.
For the first time these Championships included additional FEI level competitions for riders aged 22-25 years. This segment is sure to increase as more riders move up the levels. The event was well supported overall with very high entries at Preliminary and Novice level in particular. Competitors from South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and of course New South Wales took part.
The standard was excellent with some high scores posted on the notice board and very little between some of the top placings in many competitions. Judges commented at the very high standard which bodes well for the future of the sport. The horses looked wonderful, fit and healthy and beautifully turned out which is a credit to the Mums and Dads doing a lot of the work behind the scenes.
July is always cold – it is winter after all – and the chilly frosty mornings cleared to beautiful blue skies and sunshine for the three days of competition. The event had a friendly relaxed atmosphere and the Organisers remained helpful and courteous to all throughout. The feedback from competitors and their families has been encouraging and many left the venue with positive thoughts.
Young rider events traditionally rely on competitors and their families to volunteer and do their bit to help out at the event. Riders and family members were allocated jobs and all obliged and when not riding they collected test papers, pencilled for judges and other jobs that needed to be done.
Thank you to everyone involved and a special thank you to all the sponsors and Equestrian NSW for their financial support of the event.
Offical photographer, competitor pictures for sale - Catch Light Photography
Some pictures from some of the competitions (not for sale). Courtesy Franz Venhaus
The Champions:
- Preliminary Champion Anna Rope (NSW)-FBI
- Preliminary Reserve Jessica Gacki-OSullivan (NSW)-Wesswood Boyfriend
- Preliminary Pony Champion Grace Tyson(NSW)-Koorana Timeless Monume
- Preliminary Pony Reserve Georgia Williamson(NSW)- Braefoot Park Secret Show
- Novice Champion Jessica Clarke (NSW)- Remember me
- Novice Reserve Isabella McNamara (NSW)-Eaglewood Renown
- Novice Pony Champion Georgia Williamson(NSW)- Braefoot Park Secret Show
- Novice Pony Reserve Ashley Cutler (NSW)-Le Flirteur
- Elementary Champion Brianna Cartwright (NSW)-Pacific Fable
- Elementary Reserve Sarah Faraway (NSW)-MW Rotsong
- Elementary Pony Champion Nicola Bown (QLD) - Memphis Cloud
- Elementary Pony Reserve Romany Sanna (NSW)-Black Charming WE
- Medium Champion Sydney Evans (NSW)-Dara Park Tequila Sunrise
- Medium Reserve Sarah Faraway (NSW)-MW Rotsong
- Advanced Champion Sydney Evans (NSW)-Dara Park Tequila Sunrise
- Advanced Reserve Romany Sanna (NSW)-Smack the Pony
- FEI Junior Champion: Amy Bachmann (VIC) - Jaybee Crackerjack
- FEI Junior Reserve: Grace Laws (VIC) - Southpark Empressive
- FEI Pony Champion: Indiana Anderson (QLD) - Mister Crescendo
- FEI Pony Reserve Nicola Bown (QLD) - Memphis Cloud
- FEI Young Rider Champion Annie Simmons(QLD)-Florett
- FEI Young Rider Reserve Sydney Evans (NSW)-Belcam Geldof
- FEI Small Tour Champion Amy Reilly (ACT) - Michar
- FEI Small Tour Reserve Grace Kay (NSW) - Karingal Jamiriquai
- FEI Big Tour Champion Katharine Farrell (NSW) -Luxor 118
- FEI Big Tour Reserve Elloise Devlin (QLD)-Brimstone Anakiwa