Saddleworld Dressage Festival - Day 4

What a superb day for the Saddleworld Dressage Festival to finish on. Sunshine, with a slight breeze made for perfect conditions for the Parklands Animal Farm and pony rides that proved to be popular with the young fans. Dr Max Hall gave out some good tips for dressage horses and the Sugargum Farm vaulting team entertained spectators with their tricks during the lunch break.

The Marcus Oldham Aachen Challenge was the highlight of the final day. The final three competitors were required to ride the same test three times, once on their own horse and
then on both their competitors’ horses.

It was a nail biting contest with Shanon McKimmie winning the trip to Aachen, Germany for her second time. Shanon finished with a combined score of 198.036% just ahead of Lilah
Nieuwland who finished with a score of 196.607%. Lilah's mount Rangemore Mikardo was awarded the highest placed horse.

Susie Hoevenaars, one the judges of today's final, and also the founder of the ten year old Challenge explained that the purpose of the event is to develop opportunities for young
riders to travel to Europe to “develop their eye…and learn what they should be aspiring to”.

Susie also commented that the Challenge aims to test the effectiveness of the riders ability to understand horses other than their own and explained that the first and reserve
champions today were both effective riders.

The final Grand Prix event of the weekend was held today, the FEI Grand Prix Special and was won by Caroline Wagner on her beautiful Chesnut Gelding, Tango V, with a total
percentage of 65.02.

Stephanie Dijkstra and Kennedy WE proved to be a successful combination this weekend, continuing their success today winning the Pony Medium Championship ahead of Greer
Moloney on Beckworth Strolling Carnival.

The Pony Preliminary Championship was won by Ann Smiley on Lynlea Flashdance followed by Edwina Lumsden on Prince Harry of Ensenada who was awarded reserve on a count back ahead of Sharyn McCombe on Yarramee Smarty Pants.

Our Olympic rider Mary Hanna finished off a successful Festival on Holly Cutler's Diva Royale claiming the Parklands Animal Farm sponsored Medium Championship.

The organising committee would like to thank everyone who was involved in making this festival such a success and we look forward to seeing everyone at our next event, PSI
Dressage and Jumping with the Stars in March 2013.

Quick Links

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