Dressage stars head to Queensland for classy event

ABOVE: Lisa Martin and Vilaggo won three major classes. Picture: DEREK O'LEARY

ORGANISERS of the Brisbane CDI and Queensland Dressage Championships put together a seamlessly run event featuring top class performances and a bit of fun.

Held over four days from September 18 to 21 at the Queensland State Equestrian Centre, Caboolture, Equestrian Queensland’s program catered from Grand Prix riders down to Preliminary, as well as juniors.  

Judges from Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and the Netherlands officiated.

Jayden Brown and his international partner, Willunga Park Quincy B, starred at the more experienced end of the program winning the CDI Grand Prix three star with 73.391 and the Special with 72.404. He also placed second in the Grand Prix on D’esperanza and the pair won the Freestyle ahead of Caroline Wagner and Ibicus.

Jessica Dertell has developed a solid relationship with Kilimanjaro winning the Champion under 25 Big Tour Grand Prix, Grand Prix Freestyle and champion under 25 Grand Prix Freestyle.

She also won all four Elementary and Medium championships on Osaka P.

Matthew Lord and Remi Braveheart was another combination to sweep the pool across two sections, winning the Preliminary and Novice championships, with he and Dertell recording some of the best scores seen at the event. He also added the Intermediate A and B CDNs on Remi Vigneron to his haul.

ABOVE: Jayden Brown and the flashy D’esperanza. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

ABOVE: Jessica Dertell and Kilimanjaro have a solid partnership. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

ABOVE: Caroline Wagner and Ibicus placed second in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI and fourth in the CDI Grand Prix three star. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

Both Advanced championships went to Lisa Martin and Vilaggo and the pair also won the Prix St Georges CDN.

Mary Hanna was pleased with her CJ Park Sir Dragonfire winning the CDN Grand Prix and Intermediate II CDN, as was Robyne Smith with Lord Larry, winner of the Intermediate I CDN.

The CDI Junior Riders Champion was Tia Rose McKenzie riding Phenomenon and the CDI Big Tour Championship went to Breanna Tillitzki riding BZ Rafael.

Tia and Phenomenon also won the Junior Freestyle, while Ella Jacobs and Kalahari matched the performance in the Young Rider classes.

The CDI Junior Riders Team test was won by Abby Weel riding  Atterupgaards Franz.

ABOVE: Abby Weel and Atterupgaards Franz. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

ABOVE: Intermediate I CDI winner Robyne Smith and Lord Larry. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

The Amateur Owner Rider classes attracted some of the biggest fields at the event across all levels.

The two Preliminary classes were won by Justine Dean (JMH Frankly), the Novice by Grace Berry (Legacy Of Loxley) and Vanessa Brown (Atalantis) and both the Elementary classes by Linda Janse van Rensburg (Stonefox Zara).

Amateur owner-rider Rebecca Crane (CJP Quaterstern) took out both Medium championships and one of the Advanced classes, the other going to Rebecca Haigh (D’artagnan TPH).

Kayla Webb and Kenlock Enfield Sky rode a good test to win the amateur owner rider Prix St Georges, while Vicki Gowland and   Furstin La Joer scored the win in the Intermediate.

Ponies were catered for at all levels with two classes – Amber Hamilton (Pennant Apache) and Kylee Chandler (Nevermore) were the Preliminary winners, Danielle Keogh (Gomez S) won both Novice classes, Nicole Tough (Kingsfield Dior) both Elementary and Emelia Phillips (Haluma Park Tewdwr Medwyn) one of the Medium tests.

Emma Flavelle-Watts and Glamour Rock BHI won the second Medium test and rode up to also take both the Advanced classes.

In the most important class of the event, the Hobby Horse Spectacular, so much fun was had that “everyone” was declared a winner.

ABOVE: Even the international judges took part. Picture: DEREK O'LEARY

ABOVE: Clearing the obstacles easily. Picture: DEREK O'LEARY

ABOVE: John Thompson may have found his true calling. Picture: DEREK O'LEARY

ABOVE: All this joy is thanks to sticks with horse heads. Picture: DEREK O'LEARY

Scholarship

This year’s Remi Stud Scholarship winner, presented every year at this event since 2013, was Molly Farran from Byrneside, Victoria.

The award is made to a young rider who would benefit from financial assistance to gain a horse of their dreams.

This year the weanling is Remi Be Brave S, sired by the Hanoverian stallion Remi Braveheart.

“Molly is a very worthy winner,” the stud said.

“Her journey has been a testament of talent, dedication and hard work and the scholarship will enable her to further cultivate and be involved in the equestrian community.

“Having endured financial challenges and heartbreaking setbacks with the loss of several horses she loved and trained, Molly has never lost her focus or her love for bringing out the best in her horses.”

The total support package is worth more than $35,000.

ABOVE: The Remy Scholarship winner for this year Molly Farran with her new horse. Picture: DEREK O’LEARY

Full results

View and purchase DEREK O’LEARY images from this event

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