Don’t miss PSI Dressage & Jumping with the Stars this week!
This year's PSI Dressage & Jumping with the Stars is shaping up to be another outstanding event. Held later this week (March 18 – 20) at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre, the event has attracted over 280 horses from all states of Australia, and includes many of the winners and placegetters from the 2009 event. With international judges and guest stars such as Ton de Ridder, Edward Doyle, Dr Ulf Moeller and Lydia Camp attending for masterclasses and guest riding of finalists it is a star-studded event. Riders competing include Olympians such as Heath Ryan (NSW), Mary Hanna (Vic), Rachael Sanna (NSW) and Russell Johnstone (Vic); Dressage World Cup Finalist and World Championship representative Rozzie Ryan (NSW) and Jumping World Championship representative Jamie Kermond (Vic).
The PSI Australian Young Dressage Horse Championships are one of the event highlights and the most prestigious Young Horse class to win with each age-group champion becoming eligible for selection to represent Australia at the World Young Horse Championships in August. The 4 year old Material Championship has attracted a huge 45 entries ! Entries for the 5 year old and 6 year old classes are smaller however they are quality fields with well performed young horses such as Mayfield Be Brave/Brya Law (Vic) and Rockstar/John Thompson (SA) in the 5 year old class. The 6 year old class includes Belcam Cadel/Bianca Barnes (Vic), San Jose/Matthew Dowsley (NSW), Royal Oak II/Deon Stokes (WA), and GB Winchester/Gary Lung (Qld).
The Prix St Georges Cup will be an exciting competition with 28 entries and some very “in form” combinations from around Australia competing. Maree Tomkinson (Vic) and her mare Diamantina are the current Australian and Victorian PSG Champions and they will come up against Shiraz Black and Mary Hanna (NSW), last year’s 6 year old winner and Champion of Champions and just launching his FEI career. Also competing in this class is Australian Reserve PSG Champion Roger Fitzhardinge (NSW) with Weltsohn, and the Australian Inter I Freestyle Champion Jessica Greelish and Riverndell Parador all the way from Queensland.
The Bloomfield Farm CDI-W Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle classes will be a feature event as riders such as Heath & Rozzie Ryan (NSW), Rachael Sanna (NSW), Charlotte Pederson (Vic) and Gitte Donvig (Vic) are aiming to achieve qualifying scores for this year’s WEG. One of the pre-event favourites for this class is Jaybee Alabaster and his Olympic representative rider Rachael Sanna. Jaybee Alabaster is a former winner and “Champion of Champions” at DJWTS and represented Australia at the World Young Horse Championships in 2004. The Young Jumping Horse classes have been very well supported this year with a big increase in entries from previous years, especially in the 4 year old and 7 year old classes. Winners and most major place-getters from last year’s event are returning for their older age class this year, with the 5 year old and 7 year old classes looking particularly strong. It is great to see that many of the jumping riders are showing support for this event, with multiple horses entered. DJWTS regular Melissa Froesch from Broadford has entered six horses including her 2008 Champion of Champions, Glenara Bollinger. Andrew and Ally Lamb from Sale are competing seven horses between them, as are Shane & Mattea Davidson, coming all the way from Queensland.
A Mini Prix competition has been added to the jumping schedule this year, courtesy of sponsorship from Premier Floats and the ACE Group, and has attracted a starting field of 27 horses. Last year’s 7 year old Champion, Valhalla 3 ridden by 2006 WEG representative Jamie Kermond, returns this year for the Mini Prix, as do several of the minor place-getters and the 6 year old Champion from last year, Caltango and Tim Clarke.
On top of all the competition activity and masterclasses, spectators have an extensive trade village to visit and the chance to participate in the silent auction for elite stallion semen from Furst Romancier and Raphael.
Definitely an event not to be missed! Silver and bronze tickets will be available for purchase at the event from the Thursday. More event information available from: www.equestrianvictoriaevents.com.au/DJWTS or www.vic.equestrian.org.au
Enquiries to Event Director - Caroline Coleby 0432 505 774 dwts@live.com.au
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