Rachael Sanna riding Jaybee Alabaster (Photo: Franz Venhaus)

It’s now only a couple of weeks before the Bates Australian Dressage Championships commences. Riders from across the very large continent of Australia will descend on the Sydney International Equestrian Centre to battle it out for supremacy. There are representatives from each state and territory except Tasmania. Natalie Wilson from Western Australia and Susan Barton-Johnson from the Northern Territory will have traveled thousands of kilometers for these Championships. No matter what the results are these riders deserve a ribbon for their dedication alone. 

 

From Australia’s close neighbor, New Zealand, there a number of horses travelling across the ocean to fly their flag. Five will be competing in the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI-W which is also the Regional Dressage Team Qualifier for the 2012 London Olympics. We wish them all well.

 

The championships runs over four days and climaxes on Saturday night with the Hamilton Island Grand Prix freestyle CDI-W. Like all dressage events this is the competition which entertains even those who know little about this difficult sport. Each horse and rider has spent many weeks, if not months, to choreograph their movements to their chosen music.

 

They not only get marked on their accuracy, movement and riding ability, they also get marked on artistic merit. Over the four days, the crowds increase as does the atmosphere – all waiting to watch these incredible horses and riders dance to music.

 

This year at the Sydney CDI, Australian Olympian, Rachael Sanna on Jaybee Alabaster (owned by Bev Edwards) wowed the crowd with her freestyle which was to music from Star Trek. Her mother, Nerida Downs, who is a Star Trek fan was responsible for selecting the music. By the end of the performance, this horse and rider combination had the audience in the palm of her hand. It was so good that they scored an amazing 80% for artistic merit. Rachael and Jaybee Alabaster will once again be competing at this year’s Bates Australian Dressage Championships. If you haven’t seen this freestyle, it’s not too late to get your tickets.

 

The competition runs over four days and offers all visitors great food, a shopping village and plenty of beautiful horses to keep you entertained.