Sydney CDI Lite Highlights

Once again the very prestigious Australian Dressage event, Sydney CDI (Lite), has come to an end! This event is a favourite on the calendar and there is always great excitement in the lead up. As always it was a fantastic week of competition. 

The weather however had different plans and wasn’t in favour of the competitors, creating very trying, muddy and wet conditions. Not that a little bit of mud and water is going to stop horse riders! Our team didn’t let it get the better of them, swimming to great personal victory. Some riders were definitely luckier than others when it came to the weather...

Program Trainer Emma Weinert and Ferndale Quantum in the 4YO Young Horse. Photo Credit: Rodney’s Photography.

Gold Member Katina Smith on BC Sangria in the Small Tour, scoring 8’s and 7’s in their tests! Photo Credit: Amy-Sue Alston Photography. 

This event was a great opportunity to see our members in action, and what a show they gave. The hard work and dedication to the program and their training is incredible and it shows in their results. 

 Katina Smith rode Just Dance in the Grand Prix CDN and Intermediate II. Photo Credit: Amy-Sue Alston Photography. 

There is so much hard work and planning at home, behind the senses, that goes into training horses. Competitions are the best way to check where you’re at in your training, to see if what you’re doing at home is working and how you need to move forward. Competitions are not the be all, end all. It’s all about the challenge of putting your riding to the test, striving to find out what your strengths and weaknesses. 

Katina Smith also rode BC Chilli Pepper in the 7YO Young Horse and the Advanced scoring 69.9% in the 5B test. Photo Credit: Judy Isaacs.

Brett Parbery was aboard Furstin Focus in the 6YO Young Horse coming home with 78% in both round one and two. Photo Credit: Amy-Sue Alston Photography.

The community of support that has been brought to life through this program is so rewarding to see. This sport may be a personal journey of achievement but no one can do anything alone, and it is a proud moment when you see a group of people work together to kick goals and score! 

Do you want to get out in the competition arena but aren’t sure where to start? Do you have trouble planning and being in the right mindset? Don’t worry! Brett can help you, just take a look at his blog post on how to be prepared for a competition.