Sheridyn Ashwood and Prestige VDL Win Again at Sydney CDI

 

the winner and placegetters of the Sydney CDI Grand Prix Special

Following her victory in Thursday’s Sydney CDI Grand Prix, Sheridyn Ashwood said she and her stallion Prestige VDL would only get better as the competition progressed. And she was right.  

Ashwood’s prediction came true at today’s Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix Special where together with the 16 year old bay stallion she took out the title with a super performance which blitzed the field. 

The Queensland based rider and her mount scored a personal best 70.34 and were the only duo to score over 70 per cent.  The next best placed combination was Rozzie Ryan and GV Bullwinkle who scored 66.72.

Ashwood is delighted to win but even more thrilled to achieve a mark with a seven in front of it.

“I was in shock, I rode the horse down to the stables and the girls came in running and cheering. Then they told me I’d scored over 70 per cent and I was so excited.”

“The score is what matters most. The test I did just then was good, but there’s so much more that I can do. I come out of the test and I’m happy but I know I still have a few things to work on,” she said.

Saturday’s Grand Prix Freestyle is expected to attract a capacity crowd and all eyes will be on Ashwood to see if she can achieve a clean sweep.

“We’re actually going to change my freestyle, we’re going to make it more difficult and more spectacular,” she said. 

In the minor placings Victoria’s Caroline Wagner (Tango V) finished in third place to split husband and wife duo Heath and Rozzie Ryan.

Final day action gets underway at 9am with the CDI Grand Prix Freestyle beginning at 8:15pm. Prior to the evening session at 7pm there will also be a special appearance by London Paralympic gold medallist Joann Formosa and London Olympian Lyndal Oatley.

For full event coverage including timetable, start lists, results and news updates, please visit http://www.sydneycdi.com

Story & Photo: Equestrian Australia