Saddleworld Dressage Festival - Day 3

Day three was a busy day at the festival with the first round of the Marcus Oldham Aachen Challenge running throughout the afternoon and the first of our freestyles, the Advanced and Intermediate I classes.

In true Werribee style, some extreme wind and temperatures of up to 39 degrees threatened to interrupt the day but the competitors soldiered on. Heather Currie from South Australia on her stunning black gelding Emporio Van De Zwarte Molen won the Advanced Freestyle class. Amanda Shoobridge has a very good start to the show and continued her success today winning the Intermediate I Freestyle with her mount Ferrero Rocher.

Victoria came out on top of the Marcus Oldham Aachen Challenge Round 1 today, boasting the top six scorers. Lilah Nieuwland on Rangemore Mikardo came out on top closely
followed by Morgan Duell on Florinzz and Shanon McKimmie on Ambassi who will all be competing in the final tomorrow. All three riders finished with scores within 1% of each other.

NSW made an impact in the elementary classes today taking out champion and reserve champion in the Flexible Fit Equestrian Elementary Championship. Jodi Newall on Jive Matrix C came out with the winning score followed by Denise Rogan on Virtuel I. However, Baxter Grand Image who was ridden by Georgia Welch and Burnham Brooke Bewitched ridden by Jocelyn King both from Victoria came in first and second in the Pony Elementary Championship.

The evening session began with the CDN Grand Prix Freestyle sponsored by Equestrian Victoria. With a number of promising young horses is in this class, Odiana K ridden by Haley
Gilbert was the eventual winner. This combination was also awarded the Jones and Berkley award presented by Phoebe and Jane Jones of Jones for the highest placed Victorian in the CDN Grand Prix Freestyle.

The event of the night was the Pacific League World Cup Final Freestyle supported by the Australian Sports Commission and the Equestrian Australia High Performance Programme. It was a close finish with the eventual winner being GV Bullwinkle and Rozzie Ryan ahead of Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina in second and David Shoobridge with the popular 00
Seven taking out third place. Rozzie and GV Bullwinkle have now earned the rights to represent Australia at the 2013 World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden.

We’re all looking forward to the final day of the festival tomorrow which will include the final of the Aachen Challenge and the Grand Prix Special. Being family day there will also be
lots of fun surprises for young horsey fans. Parklands Animal Farm will be on site with pony rides and a petting farm, Sugargum Farm vaulting team will have their vaulting barrel on site for you to have a go on, as well as face painting and a visit from the charming Dr Max, the EV vet and London Gold medalist Joann Formosa will be in attendance with her gold medal!

General admission tickets for Sunday are available at the gate and children under the age of 18 and all pony club members enjoy free admission for family day.

Quick Links

• Day three results and more event information is available on the festival website www.equestrianvictoriaevents.com.au/DF
• Read report from Day two
• View dressage horses for sale on Horsezone