Gaylene Lennard wins Sydney CD-Lite Grand Prix CDI3* Freestyle

By Dana Krause

With freestyle music echoing throughout Sydney International Equestrian Centre it was hard not to enjoy the last day at the Helgstrand at Turnberry Sydney CD-Lite!

The highly anticipated Dressage New South Wales Grand Prix CDI3* Freestyle kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Last night, Gaylene Lennard riding Jax Johnson secured the win with their superb tempi changes and pirouettes on a score of 76.875%. Coming all the way from NZ, the pair broke the Sydney CDI Freestyle score record – which has been held since 2004!

In second was Jayden Brown and WillingaPark Sky Diamond on a score of 74.340% with some minor mistakes. This was Jayden’s last test in Australia before heading off to base at Chris Burton’s in the UK to compete; the inspiration his presence and team of horses provided to Australians who had the opportunity to watch him will be missed! I am sure the Australian public would join with Equestrian Life in wishing Jayden well and look forward to watching your future endeavours with your team overseas. In third was young rider Charlotte Phillips on Jane Bruce’s CP Dresden who danced their way to a PB score of 72.355%.

For Jemma Heran and Total Recall’s first Grand Prix Freestyle, to finish on a score of 74.215% and first in the Camden Equine Centre Grand Prix CDN Freestyle, speaks volumes about how exciting this young combination is! In second was Rochelle King-Andrews riding Challenger Jacaranda with a score of 68.280% and in third was Matthew Lord and Immenhof Scout with 67.425%.

Jodie Dunstan concluded her successful competition with another win, claiming first in the Kohnke’s Own FEI Intermediate A/B Freestyle with a score of 72.370%. In second was Breanna Tillitzki riding BZ Rafael on a score of 66.100% and in third was Helen Macaskill riding F1 Sonny Bill with 65.740%.

The Kohnke’s Own FEI Intermediate I CDN Freestyle was won by Alexis Hellyer riding Daenarys with a score of 75.230%. The suppleness and elasticity of this mare was a highlight to watch! In second was Robbie McKinnon riding Silmarillion E, another promising black mare, with a score of 73.200%. In third was Alexis Hellyer on the long-legged Valhalla I with a score of 71.845%.

Megan Keir riding Revelwood Queens County remained undefeated in both Advanced tests to secure the Advanced championship with two scores above 70%. Less than 1.5% overall behind in the score aggregate was Martha Cobbold Ulm riding Arnage Royal Edition, keeping the pair on their toes and securing Reserve Champion.

Despite a couple of minor mistakes ,Mary Nitschke and Utopian Cardinal demonstrated their prowess and talent to win the Ballodair Park Equestrian Centre CDI-U25 Grand Prix Freestyle on a score of 70.430%. In second was Mackenzie Boundy riding Fortune Cookie with a PB score of 67.630% and in third was Jessica Dertell riding Eskara De Jeu with a score of 64.145%.

It was a PB scoring day in the Agnes Banks Equine Clinic Young Rider CDI-Y Freestyle with the top four combinations all achieving personal bests. In first was Klara Denny riding Bello Gallico on a score of 72.445%. Hot on their heels was Jessica Dertell riding Sabble Farms Gladstone M H with a score of 72.235%, and in third was Kodi Tupper riding Endless Dreams with 71.400%.

Kate Kyros riding Courtlands Cadman claimed first in the Helgstrand at Turnberry CDN Junior Freestyle on a super score of 73.208%. In second was Elizabeth Taylor riding Maybelle Matilda with 71.283% and in third was Bronte Rigney riding Jaybee Angelina with a score of 69.458%.

In the Helgstrand at Turnberry CDN FEI Pony Freestyle, Jessica Skinner and Burrowa Bashar achieved a score of 69.983% for first.

The Kohnke’s Own Young Horse Champion Final today saw many exciting scores being awarded.

Serena Ireland riding Flawless NGE secured the Four-Year-Old championship with a score of 84.000% with Harvey Besley riding Senzation as Reserve Champion with 83.600%.

After winning round one and two with scores over 86.000% the atmosphere of the indoor was unfortunately too much for the promising five-year-old WPH Siritana. The Five-Year-Old Championship was won by Alexandra Vodermair riding the elegant Richy Rich with a score of 78.200% and Reserve Champion was Maddison Growcott riding BZ Qantas with 77.800%.

Robbie McKinnon rode SPH Fortino to Six-Year-Old Champion with a score of 86.200% and in Reserve Champion was Johannes Holtzhausen riding Franzisco RW on a score of 81.500%.

Matthew Dowsley showcased TS Firestorm and his exceptional talent in today’s round to finish as both Seven-Year-Old Champion and overall young horse champion on a massive score of 88.200%. Reserve champion went to Rodney Martin riding Vellvit with a score of 80.400%.

An event of such mammoth proportion could not be possible without all the hard work behind the scenes! We cannot thank Toni Venhaus, Cathie Drury-Klein and their team enough for putting on such an event! Similarly, this sport would not be possible without the support of judges, volunteers and sponsors, they truly are the backbone of dressage. We hope everyone has safe travels home and look forward to Sydney CDI 2023.

Full results here.
You can catch up on the live stream here.

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