Para-Equestrians brave the heat to compete in the lead up day to the event

Interstate riders have dominated the first day of competition at the 2016 Sydney CDI***.

Team Para Equestrian events were held at Sydney's 2000 Olympic venue at Horsley Park, NSW, today (Wednesday, April 6), where two Victorians, a West Australian and one rider from NSW took out the top honours.

Coming first in Grade 1b was Victorian rider Joann Formosa, who completed a solid test to be rewarded with an impressive 72.867 per cent on Gary Lung's Hannovarian gelding, GB Winchester.

Fellow Victorian Emma Booth took the honours in the Grade II test on her own Mogelvangs Zidane with 73.088 per cent.

2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG) representative Sharon Jarvis from Western Australia achieved 70.044 per cent on board Ceasy to take out the Grade III competition.

Lisa Martin, from NSW, was competing in her first Sydney CDI as a Para Equestrian rider and was nearly six per cent ahead of her competition on her Hannovarian mare, First Famous, in the Grade IV competition with 73.333 per cent.

The action continues tomorrow (Thursday) with competition including the Jilli Cobcroft Prix St Georges, Prydes EasiFeed FEI Grand Prix, and the first round of the Young Horse championships due to take place, among others.

The popular trade village will be operating all day, and tickets are still available to be purchased online.

For more information, log onto www.sydneycdi.com.