This weekend’s NSW State Dressage Championships is the final opportunity for riders to secure their start in this year’s Dressage Grand Final which will form part of the Be the Influence Equestrian Grand Final to be held at EQUITANA Sydney from 7-10 November.
Top horse and rider combinations from NSW and beyond will converge on the Sydney International Equestrian Centre for the annual event which will take place over three days commencing today.
It is the final in a series of four dressage Grand Final qualifying events which began in March with Dressage and Jumping with the Stars. Other qualifying events have included the Sydney CDI in May and Brisbane CDI-W in July.
Following this weekend’s event, the 12 horse and rider combinations with the highest percentages from the four Grand Prix Freestyle qualifiers will automatically qualify for the Dressage Grand Final. Combinations which have contested multiple events will have their best result count. For the final, EA will award a further three horse and rider combinations with a wild card entry which will take the startlist to 15.
The Grand Prix Freestyle will take place on Sunday 8 September commencing at 3pm. Admission to each of the three days of competition is free for spectators and all dressage enthusiasts are encouraged to come along and support the riders.