Wendi Williamson and Don Vito MH. File Photo. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
Dressage queen Wendi Williamson and Don Vito MH headlined a massive weekend winning all three top classes at the Sydney CDI3* for the second consecutive year. The Kiwis dominated at the top Aussie event, taking the quinella in the Grand Prix with Wendi winning (67.109%) and John Thompson aboard MSJ Gatsby second (66.739%). Wendi took out the Special on 65.553% and the Freestyle on 73.3% with John third on 68.725%.
“It was tough judging but I had lots of uncharacteristic mistakes in the first two tests,” said Wendi. “It’s hard when you are pushing for full power and expression to manage everything. The freestyle went well, and it was such a fun night. In the prizegiving the top eight did a display. It’s something I used to watch from the sidelines years ago and loved it. The riders haven’t done it now for years. It was led by Rozzie Ryan and was so awesome. It is just a buzz to be part of.”
She extended huge thanks to those who supported her. “A massive shout out to my amazing friends and family who made the strip to support,” she said. “I feel so lucky to have such genuine support. Thank you to (husband) Jonnie, who is always by my side and so passionate about the sport of dressage, and to Christine (Weal) who somehow puts up with me in the warmup!”
John also picked up minor placings in age group classes while Mandy Macpherson picked up a personal best aboard Frieden Star with their top 10 placing in the CDI1* FEI Intermediate I Freestyle.
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In eventing, Donna Edwards-Smith and DSE Mendoza made a remarkable comeback after a challenging dressage test to finish in eighth place in the CCI5* at the Adelaide Equestrian Festival. They scored 44.8 penalty points in the dressage to sit in 19th of the 21 combinations but a solid clear jumping effort over the Mike Etherington-Smith-designed cross country, adding 20.8 time penalties saw them scoot up the leaderboard to eighth. They added eight in the showjumping for a final tally of 73.6 and hold on to eighth spot.
The class was won by Hazel Shannon and Willingapark Clifford who made history by collecting their fourth Adelaide 5* crown with their 45.9 penalty point victory. Shane Rose and The Bandit were second on 48.3 with Samuel Jeffree aboard Wimborne Cojuror third on 50.4. Just 12 of the original 21 combinations completed the event.
Rory Hamilton and Magic Mike TAE retired during the 34-strong CCI3*-L cross country.
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On the other side of the world, showjumper Melody Matheson was seventh aboard Kentucky Balia NI in the CSI2* 1.45m table A at Ermelo in the Netherlands. The class was won by Harrie Wiering (NED) aboard Harley in 64.4 seconds with Melody stopping the clock at 71.45 seconds.
Click here for Full Results from the Netherlands
By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison