Wagner aiming for magical 70% scores at Sydney CDI

By: Michelle Cook/EA

Australia’s dressage stars are ready for three days of action at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre for the Sydney CDI and among them is Caroline Wagner and Tango V. 

The Sydney CDI will be Wagner’s fourth year competing in Grand Prix at the premier dressage event. Since Wagner and Tango V’s Grand Prix debut in 2011 their scores have consistently improved and this year it is no different.

“My aim is to keep going and aiming for a personal best in all three of my classes, and just keep aiming to getting better and better scores, especially in the Grand Prix and to improve my overall performance.

“It all feels like its heading in the right direction. Every time I ride him it feels like he is going better and better, so I keep trying to keep focused and ride him as well as I can and keep aiming for better scores,” she said.

In February this year Wagner achieved a new personal best of 72.725% in the Grand Prix Freestyle at the Dressage With Altitude competition in Orange, this score also took her to the top of the Be The Influence Equestrian Grand Final Leader Board for dressage. 

Wagner attributes her successful start to 2014 to consistency.

“Consistency is crucial. Just working hard on a daily basis and consistently trying to make sure you are improving as well is important.”

Caroline traded her show hacks for dressage horses in pursuit of a new challenge after a very successful show riding career.

“I think dressage in general is always a challenge with all the technical difficulties that are involved make it such a great challenge. I don’t think you ever stop learning when it comes to Dressage.

“When you get it right, you get that great feeling and that’s when you go onto the next moment,” she said.

Caroline and her youngster WS Dinnermann will be competing in the Prix St Georges on Thursday, then Tango V will take the stage in the Grand Prix on Thursday, Grand Prix Special on Friday and the Grand Prix Freestyle will conclude the competition on Saturday night.

The Sydney CDI will be held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre from 1-3 May. For ticket information and more please visit the website http://www.sydneycdi.com