New Zealand rider takes out Grand Prix Special on Third Day of Sydney CDI***

By: Kristina Pollard

John Thompson from New Zealand and JHT Antonello competing at the 2016 Sydney CDI***. Picture: Franz Venhaus

The trip across the Tasman has paid dividends for New Zealand's John Thompson, who took out the Equestrian Australia Grand Prix Special at the 2016 Sydney CDI***. 

John and the Anamour gelding, JHT Antonello, scored 67.902 per cent to pull just 0.2 per cent ahead of Thursday's Grand Prix winner, Sue Hearn of NSW on Remmington, who came in second with 67.627 per cent.

Sue was “thrilled” to claim the Prydes EasiFeed FEI Grand Prix (CDI3*) and said Remmington put in another good performance but felt a little tired in the Special.

“He's been here for a little while now and that test takes a lot out of them,” she said. “I made a mistake in the ones, not him. I adjusted my weight a little bit halfway through.

“But the rest of it was pretty good.”

Crowd favourite Brett Parbery was the popular winner of the Equine Podiatry and Lameness Centre FEI Intermediate I (CDI 3*), as well as the IRT Advanced 5.2 competition on Gregory Farrell's Furstin Friendship, saying it was “a great day all round”.

Brett enjoyed a warm up with Australian Olympian Lyndal Oatley on Thursday before she jetted off again to Europe.

“It was great to see her for a whole hour,” he said. “The warm up was super.”

The Sydney CDI*** is Australia's most prestigious international dressage competition, and offers not only spectacular competition but a very popular shopping village, tours and VIP dining experience in the Top Spot Marquee.

Competition continues tomorrow (Saturday) with the showcase event, the Grand Prix Freestyle.

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