From CIC to PSG at the Nationals for Stokes

Deon Stokes is in good shape. Three weeks after finishing first and second in the Canberra CIC 2* and winning the Kevin Dickson memorial trophy, he is now in a very good position after the first day of competition at the 2016 Australian National Dressage Championships.

This Western Australian is a talented Eventing and Dressage rider who has now moved to Moss Vale in NSW. He led two classes today, finishing first in both the Prix St Georges and the Intermediate II, here at the 2000 Sydney Olympic venue.

"I love both sports. They benefit each other. I think competing as an eventer makes me braver in the Dressage ring and being able to do this pure dressage here at the Nationals make me more refined in the Eventing dressage."

In the FEI Grand Prix Saint Georges, Deon Stokes and his mount Don Dancier, owned by Kate Barton, scored a very good 71.684%, placing him first in front of Matthew Dowsley and his warmblood AEA Prestige in second place with a strong 71.290% and David Mckinnon riding Her Highness, in third place with 70.789%.

In the FEI Intermediate II, Stokes partnered with Royal Oak II to win on 70.947%, also owned by Kate Barton and Matthew Dowsley again finished second place scoring 69.053% with Adloo Richard. Lesley-Anne Taylor riding Amicelli Gold completed the podium, scoring 67.579%.

"It went great today. Both horses finished with over 70% so very happy with that. Let's hope I can fix a few of the little weaknesses and keep the momentum going over the weekend" said Stokes.

In the sunny afternoon, Alexis Hellyer partnered with Bluefields Floreno to win (68.834% - owner: Jj and Lys Fuchs) the FEI Intermediate A, the first of two classes that will decide the Medium Tour Championship. Alycia Targa took second position on CP Dresden and Victoria Welch finished third on mount Glogau.

Para-riders completed their Team Tests in the morning and were back in action in the afternoon with the Individual Championship Tests.

Grade II rider Dale Johnston and his 21-year-old Warmblood Tec Macedon scored 62.745% in his Team test and stayed consistent in his Individual test scoring 62.714%.

The pair of Hannah Dodd and Grand Slam were convincing winners of the Grade III class receiving a strong score of 67.719% in the Team test and 65.325% in the Individual.

Caitlin Radford riding XL Overtime was the overall winner in both the Grade IV Team test with 65.952% and the Individual test with 66.865%. "My horse was feeling rather fresh this morning but the test looked much better than what it felt like which was good. It was heaps better in the Individual. We put him back in the double bridle and he was much happier, much more on my aids", she said.

Grade IB rider Victoria Davies competing with two different horses finished with a score of 69.600% in the Team Test and 69.713% in the Individual Test, taking first place in both with her mount Andaluka Elegido.

Next competition for our para-riders will be the Freestyle on Saturday. Good luck to all!

Tomorrow, Friday, the competition will start at 8.30am with the IRT FEI Young Rider Team Test CDI-Y in the Indoor Arena and the Intermediate I in arena 1A.

Full Results