Caroline Wagner and the Impressive Tango V Take All Three and Sweep to Victory at Dressage with Altitude

Caroline Wagner and Tango V (photo: Franz Venhaus)

In a stunning 3 day performance, Caroline Wagner and the athletic Tango V have defied the odds and taken out the ThinLine Australia Grand Prix CDI (67.720%); the Jilli Cobcroft Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3* (72.725%) and then, with confidence riding high, backed up to win the Commins Hendriks Solicitors Grand Prix Special CDN (67.843%). 

All three competitions were tightly contested. In the Grand Prix CDI3* second placed Sue Hearn riding the ever improving Remmington (65.820%) with Heath Ryan with crowd  favourite Regardez Moi (65.340%) relegated to third by the narrowest margin of .48%. 

The Grand Prix Freestyle CDI saw Kerry Mack and her much loved Mayfield Pzazz claim third place (68.670%) behind Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi (71.975%) a whisker behind Caroline Wagner and Tango V. Caro’s score of 72.725% brought the house down with huge applause for a most deserving win.

In the Grand Prix Special, Heath and Regardez Moi (67.098%) again had to play second fiddle to Caro and Tango V (67.843%) being separated by a mere .745% with Sue and  Remmington in third place on a creditable $65.471%.

Standout performances were recorded at all levels - John Potter, from Wagga Wagga, NSW,  riding Silbermond took out the Cabonne Shire Council Novice Championship after 2 wins in the Novice 2:1 and 2:2 while Brett Parbery, from Penrose, NSW, rode PPH Zeppelin superbly to take home the Orange City Council Advanced Championship after finishing on top in the Advanced 5:1 and 5:2. 

The up-and-coming star Bluefields Floreno ridden by a new talent to the east coast scene, Janina Kletke from Bowral, NSW, took home first place in the Darlington Stud Prix St.  Georges CDI3* and the Orange Vet Hospital Intermediate I CDI3*.

Young Alexis Hellyer rose to the top in both the Under 25 Grand Prix CDI and Under 25 Grand Prix CDI Freestyle aboard Waca W now showing more established and balanced work. Alexis was also named the winner of the prestigious Bradgate Park Rising Star Award, judged by the CDI Grand Prix riders at the event, Alexis takes home $1,500.00 in cash  towards future development and training.

The competition from Thursday through to Sunday was fierce and with the running of new FEI and EA tests, and the inclusion of the Under 25 Grand Prix CDI, it was a full program. 

International judges, Gotthilf Riexinger 5* from Germany, Isobel Wessels 5* from GBR and Sue Hobson 4* from NZL along with Australian judges Mary Seefried 5*, Susie  Hoevenaars 5*, Ricky MacMillan 4*, Jane Ventura 4* and Gisela Nilsson-Harding 3* made a formidable and highly qualified ground jury.

“It was indeed an enjoyable show, horses went well on the great surface. From my point of view, DWA is a very well conducted show with quality and an important part of the national CDI calendar. Please keep going!” – Mary Seefriend, 5* AUS. 

“In every class there were some very nice horses being well ridden. The Saturday night entertainment was great fun and the master of ceremonies, Roger Fitzhardinge, did a great job in bringing everyone together with the interviewing of the riders. This is something that is done quite often in Europe – a very nice touch – and you had a very enthusiastic crowd.” – Isobel Wessels, 5* GBR

The inaugural “running of the dogs” in the DWA Canine Calcutta, sponsored by Amberwood Park, Nature Vet and Stable 8 was a great success for the show and for the Australian Breast Cancer Foundation with well over $500.00 being raised for the Foundation. 

The overall consensus of the show was a well organized, well run, welcoming event with a strong comaraderie amongst the riders. With ongoing support from ThinLine Australia, Equestrian Australia, Equestrian NSW, Orange City Council and the growing band of sponsors and supporters, DWA 2015 promises to be another great event showcasing the cream of Australian Dressage riders in one of Australia’s most beautiful regional areas at one of Australia’s best equine facilities – Bradgate Park, Orange, NSW.

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