Donges Supa IGA Young Dressage Championships

"They will be back! Top level riders loved the 'friendly games'!" exclaimed committee member Maryann Schiller, following the successful Donges Supa IGA Young Dressage Championships, held 16 - 17 April at Bendick Murrell Sportsground.

It was with fingers and toes crossed by all the committee people involved in the Championships, that the competitions commenced on Saturday, under looming skies.  There was a record number of imported horses, FEI (Olympic standard) horses and well-travelled riders who expect top class facilities at dressage competitions... and they converged on the little sportsground at a very “country” Bendick Murrell.

The newly reconstructed but untested arenas were the main concern – any likelihood of unlevel surfaces or “shifty” arenas would have been enough for many to complain or leave.  Their horses are highly valued and they cannot risk any injuries.  However, all the worries were to no avail – the arenas proved to be nearly perfect and the grounds looked a picture.

Whilst many of the Sydney riders took home rugs, prizemoney and trophies, it was the Cowra girl, Megan Bryant and “Donnabella” who won both her FEI tests and was awarded the Cooramin Sporthorses Small Tour FEI Champion horse for the weekend.  Competition at this level was strong and the interstate judges were very impressed with the standard. The highest award for the weekend, unfortunately with only two competitors, was the Giddy Up Gags and Bits FEI Big Tour Champion.  This went to Central Coast competitor Sharon Carroll and “Rancho Assassin”.  Both Big Tour horses, and many others, are destined for the major international Sydney CDI competition next weekend.

The Richmond based pair Gail Benson and “Gracefield Stefan” won both the Essentially Equine Medium Champion and the Carruthers Machinery Elementary Champion.  Di Boyd Novice Champion went to another Central Coast competitor Lizzie Wilson-Fellows and “Lets Kiss N’Tell”.  The Murrumbateman rider Quentin Daniels and “Jaybee Accomplice” were Cowra Frieght Advanced Champions, and PJ’s Fast Food Preliminary Champion was won by Sydney competitor Denise Rogan and “Virtual I”.

The junior classes were well supported with the McDonalds Signs Champion Junior rider going to local Grace Kaveney on “Tuff Mania”.  Regency Jewellers Assoc Preliminary Champion was Russell Jarrett on “Callum Park Freya”.  The local Gemsfield  Stud sponsored the Pony Champion “Bamborough Epic” ridden by Alison Gill.  Birdwood Pony stud Novice Champion pony was “Meadowbrook Lisa Marie” ridden by Sue Walker.

The committee would like to express their thanks to the large number of sponsors, without which the club would find it very difficult to keep up the level of prizes and prizemoney that the many travelling competitors have come to expect. The annual Young Dressage Championships has become a “must” on the calendar of many serious competitors who insist it’s because of the friendly country hospitality that is given to them, along with the serious and well co-ordinated competition environment.

CLICK HERE for full results from Saturday and HERE for Sunday and HERE to view more photos on the Horsezone Gallery.