The ones to watch at the Sydney CDI

Sue Hearn on Remmington in the Grand Prix at the 2016 Sydney CDI (Photo credit: Franz Venhaus)

In 10 days’ time the 2017 Sydney CDI will be underway and any number of combinations are aiming for the Champion title in Australia’s oldest and most prestigious CDI. 

In the Jilli Cobcroft Prix St Georges CDI and the Wades Equine Coaches Intermediate I several horses have regularly scored  over 70% coming into the competition  and the spotlight will be on the leading contenders:  Daniella Dierks on Solo Feliz, Matthew Dowsley on AEA Prestige and Sharon Potter, making her CDI debut at this level on Bradgate Park Delilah.

Gordon Pratt on Bloomers Simply the Best and Tor van den Berge are strongly fancied to take out the Mustad Saddleworld CDN Prix St Georges, but they are not the only ones with their eyes on the prize – the favourites will need to have everything right for them on the day.

Rio Olympian Sue Hearn on Remmington is wanting to make it two in a row with the Grand Prix title she won last year in the NSW Sport and Recreation CDI Grand Prix. Judy Dierks on Diamond Star, Matthew Dowsley on Adloo Richard, Deon Stokes on Royal Oak II and Lesley-Anne Taylor on Amicelli Gold have all had the 2017 Sydney CDI in their sights since last year and their horses are stronger and have gained more experience in the last 12 months. Last year’s CDI Grand Prix Freestyle winner, Mary Warren, riding Mindarah Park Raphael faces strong competition in the Mulawa Performance Under-25 Big Tour, not the least from Katharine Farrell on Luxor 118.

Whilst two Queensland combinations, Jemma Heran on Go Dutch II and Rosanna Relton on Four Winds Bombadier are ranked the highly in the Agnes Banks Equine Clinic CDI-Y competitions, Charlotte Waterman on Northern Xanthus II has the highest individual qualifying score of all those entered in this group and she will be looking to continue on a winning path.

Amy Bachman from Victoria riding Heritage Park Chartreuse tops the rankings coming into the Willinga Park FEI Pony competitions but close behind is Romany Sanna on Black Charming WE and Jessica Hivan on Garraboo Scoobie Doo.  

The Prydes EasiFeeds, Widderstein Stables & CSG Young Horse Championships always spring surprises with so many high-ranking combinations across all age groups. All the Champions from the recent PSI Dressage Jumping with the Stars have entered and the pressure will be well and truly on their riders to qualify for the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia’s Young Horse Finals on Saturday.

The only place to be on April 27^th – 29^th is at the Sydney CDI.  Don’t miss it -  reserve your seats now for theSaturday which includes Saturday from the website.   On-line bookings close on Monday, 24 April 2017. 

Tickets will be available from the entrance each day.   Admission:  Adults $20 on Thursday and Friday, $40 on Saturday, 16 years and under are free on Thursday and Friday and $25 on Saturday. 

For more information, visit www.sydneycdi.com

Join in the conversation #sydcdi17 #ridewithus

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