2025 Sydney CDI ends on a high note

The Sydney CDI ended on a truly high note on Saturday evening with the CDI 3* Grand Prix freestyle.  The atmosphere and the crowd were uplifting and it was wonderful to see so many spectating at this event. 

New Zealand rider Wendi Williamson and Don Vito MH (by Don Frederico) had a truly stellar week at the Sydney CDI, first winning the Equidance Partnership CDI 3* Grand Prix with 67.109% on Thursday, then winning the CDI 3* Grand Prix Special on Friday with 65.553%, and finally winning the CDI 3* Grand Prix freestyle on Saturday night with 73.30%. Second place in the CDI 3*Grand Prix Freestyle was awarded to Australian NSW-based rider, Robbie McKinnon and D’Esperanza (by Desperados) with a 71.655%, and third place going to the NSW-based rider, John Thompson and MSJ Gatsby (by Grey Flanell) with 68.725%.

The afternoon on Saturday is always a spectator favourite with the presentation of the finals for the Australian Equestrian Incentive Events Sydney CDI Young Horse Championships for 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-year old young horses as well as the NSW Young Pony Championships. The FEI Young Horse Judging Panel (Susan Hoevenaars (AUS and Clive Hassall (GBR) were ably supported by feedback from guest rider, Jye Thurgate, an Australian rider who has been based in Germany for the past 8 years. Jye empathetically rode all the finalists in each age group, providing a rideability mark for each horse.

The 4-year old Young Horse (YH) champion was won by Remi Braveheart with rider Matthew Lord, with 77.33%. The 5-year-old YH champion was MP Phoenix Rising (For Romance X MP Furstin Fae) with rider Deon Stokes with a score of 83.667%. The 6-year old YH champion was Emillio ridden by Rodney Martin with 83.167%. Rounding out the NSW YH Championships was the 7-year-old YH champion, Senzation (Sezuan 2 X Laurencia) ridden by Harvey Besley with 84.333%. 

This year the Sydney CDI also awarded the AEIE 6-Year-Old dressage Futurity prize of $6,000 for the overall highest scoring 6-year-old YH entered into the futurity. This very generous cash prize was won by Hollands Bend Francine (Franklin X Regaliste) ridden by Sophie Redenbach, second Osaka ridden by Jessica Dertell and third to Kenlock Majestic Sky ridden y Romany Sanna.

 The overall NSW Young Pony champion was the 6-year-old stallion Glenhill Mr Hollywood (Movie Star 26 X Nobis Juliette) with 79.60% ridden by Alison Gill.  The second-placed pony was the 5-year-old mare, Glenhill Divine Classic with 79.40% also ridden by Alison Gill, and the third-placed pony was the 5-year-old mare, Dream Dancer BHI with 76,40% ridden by Kaila Simms.

 And so as yet another wonderfully successful Sydney CDI draws to a close, riders, owners, and breeders, as well as equestrian enthusiasts, are already looking forward to Sydney CDI 2026.

Story courtesy, Julie Jones