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Heath Ryan wins Grand Prix Freestyle at Sydney CDI
Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi win Grand Prix Freestyle at Sydney CDI Photograph:Toni Venhaus |
Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi delivered an impressive performance at the 2012 Sydney CDI to take out the Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 71.275%.
The crowd erupted as Ryan delivered an impressive routine to take first place ahead of Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina IV (70.675%) and Tor Van Den Berge and Fisherman’s Friend (67.425%).
It capped off another great Sydney CDI campaign for Ryan who yesterday took out the Grand Prix Special and finished second place in the Grand Prix on Thursday.
The seasoned competitor admitted he was starting to feel his age when he took a look around at this year’s event.
“I’m feeling old looking around at all these young girls coming through – but it is a great thing to see.
This was a great night and I want to thank all the competitors,” said an elated Ryan.
His thoughts like most dressage supporters now look to Mannheim, Germany where his wife Rozzie along with seven other Aussies are taking part in the first Dressage Olympic Nomination event.
The Sydney CDI in 2012 celebrated 20 years and once again provided three days of action pack competition that highlighted the depth of Dressage talent Australia boasts.
The top six places from the Hamilton Island Grand Prix Freestyle CDI 3*:
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1. Heath Ryan
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Regardez Moi
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71.275%
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2. Maree Tomkinson
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Diamantina IV
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70.675%
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3. Tor Van Den Berge
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Fisherman’s Friend
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67.425%
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4. Fiona McNaught
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Ostra
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66.75%
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5. Sheidyn Ashwood
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Prestige VDL
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66.325%
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6. Nadia Coghlan
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Northern Campion
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65.875%
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4 May 2012
Heath Ryan wins Grand Prix Special at Sydney CDI
Having already taken home second place in yesterday’s Grand Prix, the combination was confident leading into the Special and performed outstandingly to blitz the ten strong field.
Recording a score of 67.133, Ryan is pleased with his win and is hoping to stay ahead of the competition in tomorrow evening’s Freestyle.
“He (Regardez Moi) was good today, he probably held himself in better balance. We’re certainly gaining in confidence,” said Ryan.
“Regardez Moi is very strong in the piaffe and passage and he’s also an experienced competitor so it’s up to me to go to the limits to take advantage of our strengths,” he added. “Tomorrow night it’s anybody’s game and there will be some very competitive riders out there trying to win.”
Finishing in second place was Sheridyn Ashwood and Prestige VDL. The combination was first to go and set the standard high recording a score of 65.333 which only Ryan and his 15 year old stallion could better.
Susan Paix and Sheer Etiquette were third.
3 May 2012
Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina IV continue their winning streak winning Sydney CDI Grand Prix
it was the dynamic combination of Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina IV who recorded the day’s best performance. (Watch their test here).
The duo is quickly asserting itself as one of the top Australian based Dressage combinations after recording their fourth win from five CDI Grand Prix starts.
“I’m very lucky to have such an amazingly talented horse but also to have such good rideability and trainability. She has fantastic focus in the test and all these things go to make a pretty wonderful horse,” said Tomkinson.
The combination scored 68.936 in the Grand Prix finishing ahead of Ryan and Regardez Moi who ended on a score of 67.277.
Ashwood and her young stallion were also in the mix on day one producing a score of 66.149 which was good enough for them to take home third place.
Top combinations will be back in action tomorrow evening when the Grand Prix Freestyle gets underway at 8:15pm.
Full results from this year’s Sydney CDI can be viewed here.
Stay tuned to the EA website for all the latest news and information from this year’s Sydney CDI.
1 April 2012
Previewing the 20th annual Sydney CDI
One of Australia's premier dressage events, the Sydney CDI will reach a new milestone in 2012 when it celebrates its 20th year.
Beginning 3 May, the Sydney CDI will see riders travel from across Australia and the Tasman to compete in Australia’s oldest internationally recognised Dressage competition.
With a number of Australia’s top Dressage combinations competing in Olympic Games nomination events in Europe, this year’s event has drawn a highly competitive field of accomplished riders and rising stars.
Maree Tomkinson is one of Australia’s most skilful riders. She recently won the CDI-W at the annual PSI Dressage and Jumping with the Stars in Werribee, Victoria and will be looking to win yet another CDI crown on the nine year old mare, Diaminatina IV, that she partly owns with Lyn Sultana.
The combination will be looking to consolidate their impressive Grand Prix record of three wins and one second place in as many starts.
They’ll face stiff competition from a number of ‘young guns’ who will be looking to claim their first major international Dressage title. One such rider, 22 year old David McKinnon, is competing in his first Sydney CDI and has the honour of riding Brett Parbery’s horses - QEB Good as
Gold, owned by Brett and Caroline Lieutenant and DP Weltmeiser owned by Susan Duddy.
“I’m so lucky that they have entrusted me to ride their horses. I have to say I’m pretty nervous as they are big shoes to fill,” said McKinnon, who is also an employee of Brett and Melinda Parbery.
Top placed combinations at the end of the weekend could also find themselves in contention for a place in this year’s Dressage Grand Final.
The 12 best combinations with the highest percentages after five Dressage Grand Final qualifying events will automatically qualify for the Grand Final, which will be held as part of the Equestrian Grand Final at EQUITANA, Melbourne, November 15-18.
Combinations may compete at multiple qualifiers but only their best result will count. A further three wild-card entries will be awarded by Equestrian Australia ahead of the final.
The 2012 Sydney CDI will be staged SIEC – Sydney International Equestrian Centre – home of the
Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The venue is located 45km west of Sydney at Saxony Road, Horsley Park.
The 2012 Sydney CDI – Timetable
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Thursday 3 May
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12:45pm – 4:20pm
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Grand Prix
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Friday 4 May
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1-4pm
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Grand Prix Special
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Saturday 5 May
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8:15pm – 10pm
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Grand Prix Freestyle
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