Exciting Opportunities for Young Dressage Riders

Young Rider Tayla Desmet     (Photo credit:  Adam Fawcett OzDressage)

A new date and venue has been announced for the Equestrian Victoria Youth Dressage Championships (incorporating the Young Rider Championships).

The Championships will run from Friday 13 - Sunday 15 January 2017 at the beautiful Boneo Park Equestrian Centre on the Mornington Peninsula.   Strategically positioned immediately before the 2017 Boneo Classic (19 -22 January)  the Youth Dressage Championships will allow riders to have two major events, during the summer holidays, within a few days of each other. 

Boneo Park Director, Fiona Selby was enthusiastic about the potential of running the two events in close proximity.  “The Boneo Classic, which is a CDI*** & CDI-Y, will for the first time in Victoria, include a CDI-J and a CDI-P, international classes for Junior and Pony riders, to complement our CDI-Y which is  international level for riders 16-21.  In addition the Boneo Classic will also stage a CDI-U25 which is at Grand Prix level for our up and coming riders from 16 to 25 years of age.” 

The respective FEI classes will be run at National level at the Youth Dressage Championships which will serve as the perfect “warm up” for riders going forward to compete at the Boneo Classic.  2016 Co-Event Director Jan Smith commented, “Our event has traditionally offered the FEI tests every year.  These tests are well crafted and great for young riders, but rarely do Australian riders have the chance to ride the same tests at international level under the scrutiny of high level overseas judges.”

While the Championships have traditionally been held for many years at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre circumstances have meant that a change is necessary and Boneo Park will be the perfect destination to attract riders from throughout Victoria and other states.   A full program catering for riders up to twenty five years of age will be offered with tests from Preliminary level to Grand Prix. Encouragement Participation Preliminary and Novice championships for those wanting to take part in a major Championships without necessarily having the performances at the higher levels will prove popular. There will literally be something for everyone, with the chance for families to enjoy some holiday “time out” as well. 

Dressage is a growth sport in Australia with Interschools events  proving to be immensely popular at entry level. The Championships are the perfect “next step” for riders to take.   Lower level competitors will mix and mingle with the higher level riders and holding the event in the January holidays will allow university students who are not specifically catered for normally, the chance to compete at their “States”.

Combine this with the superb facilities on offer at Boneo Park,  the attractions of the Mornington Peninsula in January  and a well run and welcoming event,  the move to a summer date should prove to be a winner. 

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