Photograph:  Pryde's EasiFeeds Grand Prix presentation with Jessica Jackson from Prydes and Judge Stephen Clarke (GBR).

Story courtesy of Michelle Cook from Equestrian Australia

Caroline Wagner has ridden an accurate test to claim the Sydney CDI3* Prydes EasiFeeds Grand Prix on a glorious day at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre which brought fierce competition in all grades.

In taking first position in the Grand Prix, Wagner and her Jazz gelding Tango V showed fluent trot work, passage and piaffe.

“I’m very excited and I still can’t quite believe it. I’m very proud of Tango, he coped really well indoors today.

“I actually came out of the arena disappointed thinking I could have done certain bits better, but there were some definite improvements,” commented Wagner.

Tango’s final score was 68.10% with FEI 5* Judge Mary Seefried, the judge at B awarding him 70.60%.

Veteran New South Wales rider Heath Ryan claimed second and third places with the enduring stallion Regardez Moi and Utopian Cardinal. This is a rare quinella as Utopian Cardinal is actually a son of Regardez Moi.

Victorian rider Fiona Selby (formerly Fiona McNaught), produced a very polished test with her recently imported mare Tacita for a creditable 66.82% and a close fourth. This was only Tacita’s second CDI in Australia.

Another promising result came from national youth development squad member Kate Farrell from Galston (NSW). In her first CDI Grand Prix, the first year University student rode a confident and polished test with the 12 year old Hanoverian gelding Luxor 118, for an overall score of 65.6% and sixth place.

In other results London Paralympian Hannah Dodd (NSW) was among the field in the Young Dressage Horse Championship in the four year old Pony division where she finished third with Garden
Vale Stylish Poe. Dodd is also competing in the IRT Advanced competition with her elite squad horse Grand Sam and will return for the second round of the Young Horse Championships for Ponies tomorrow.

“I like the challenge of able bodied competitions and this is my first CDI competing on a horse that I own and have trained myself which is super exciting.

“I thought my horse did a super job in the indoor arena today although he wasn’t particularly keen on some of the pot plants,” she said.

Sunshine and a glorious clear blue sky greeted both spectators and competitors on the opening day of competition at the 2014 Sydney CDI3* at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre.

Other winners on day one included Judy Dierks and Diamond Star (Jill Cobcroft Prix St Georges CDI), Brett Parbery and PPH Zeppelin (Birds Equisports Prix St Georges CDN), Alison Gill and Bamborough Epic (Prix St Georges CDN – Pony), Victoria Stuckey and Mayfield be Brave (Young Rider FEI Team Test – CDI- Y), Tor Ven den Berge and Lauries As (Dressage NSW FEI Intermediate A), Linda Foster and Mauritius (Equipe Saddles Grand Prix CDN) and Victoria Welch and Brentanus (Wagners Under 25 years FEI Intermediate II).

With entries to this year’s event an improvement on the previous year, spectators have plenty of action to choose from. Competition at the Sydney CDI will continue on Friday.