Wendi Williamson and Don Vito MH won the CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle (pictured here at the Sydney CDI in 2023). Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Sydney CDI hat-trick for Wendi Williamson & Don Vito MH
By Equestrian Life
Saturday was Freestyle day at the Sydney CDI! The CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle took place in the evening, and it was a hat-trick of wins for New Zealand’s Wendi Williamson and chestnut gelding Don Vito MH.
The pair scored an impressive 75.175% to finish ahead of David McKinnon and Estupendo on 73.82%, while Charlotte Phillips and CP Dresden – who are always impressive in the Freestyle – scored 72.11% for third. Jodie Dunstan and Hollands Bend Highlander achieved a PB of 69.51% for fourth, while Justine Greer and Fonzie rounded out the top five on 68.695%.
David McKinnon and Estupendo (pictured here in the CDI3* Grand Prix) finished second in the Freestyle). Image: Roger Fitzhardinge.
In the other international-level class, Matthew Lord and Remi Vigneron won the CDI1* Inter I Freestyle on a PB score of 73.11%, finishing just ahead of Charlie Welsh and Dante Quando OLD on 72.175%. John Thompson and Sugarloaf Amnesty achieved a PB of 71.030% to finish third.
Emma Flavelle-Watts and Scarlatti Mio VSR scored 72.57% to win the CDN Inter A/B Freestyle, while the CDN Inter I saw another win for Susan Elekessy and Callum Park Damascus on 71.45%.
Emma Flavelle-Watts and Scarlatti Mio VSR scored 72.57% to win the CDN Inter A/B Freestyle. Image: Roger Fitzhardinge.
The AOR Advanced 5.2 and 5.3 were both won by Rhiannon Isaacs and KC Bellino on 70.263% and 66.667% respectively.
Under 25, Young Rider & Junior Freestyles
The CDI-U25 Grand Prix Freestyle saw Tanisha Ryan and Prequel claim another win on 71.675%. Olivia Gillespie and Amsterdam won the CDI-Y Freestyle with a score of 70.240%, while the CDI-J Freestyle went to Tia Rose Mckenzie and Phenomenon on 71.980%.
The CDN Pony Individual Test went to Marley Yates and the pony Mr Buck Meister on 68.468%.
The CDN Pony Individual Test went to Marley Yates, with Abby Weel in second. Image: Roger Fitzhardinge.
Young Horse and Pony Championships
In the young horse and pony classes, it was Finals day. In the Pony Championship, Alison Gill rode all three finalists: Jan Smith’s 6YO Miss Moneypenny PP, the 5YO Glenhill Mr Hollywood (Movie Star x Aester El Nino) owned by Christan Trainor of Glenhill Sporthorses, and the 4YO Glenhill Divine Classic – also owned by Christan.
Glenhill Divine Classic (Numerus Clausus x Classic Dancer) was crowned overall champion with a score of 80.2%, backing up her 2024 DJWTS Champion of Champions title.
When it came to the horses, the 4YO Young Horse Champion was Cheryl O’Brien’s Remi Vintage Star (Remi Vigneron x Wolkenstein II) on 85.6% for rider Matthew Lord.
Alexandra Vodermair and her own Exact (Escamillo × Hohenstein 4) scored 75.4% to win the 5YO Young Horse Championship, and then Olivia Gillespie rode her own Nottingham GP (Daily Diamond) to win the 6YO Young Horse Championship on 88.8%.
In the 7YO Young Horse Championship, it was Asgards Indico (Asgard’s Ibiza × Rohdiamant) for owner and rider Samantha Sidwell who claimed the win on 75.8%.
Full results via Equestrian Hub here.
Published 5 May 2024.
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