Dierks claims CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle & NSW Big Tour Champion titles

Judy Dierks and Diamond Star have clinched the Equestrian NSW FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W title at the 2017 NSW Dressage Championships. 

Dierks on Vicki Newham’s striking chestnut gelding Diamond Star came back from a few mistakes in the CDI-W Grand Prix the previous day to claim victory by just 0.275% over Brett Parbery and DP Weltmieser owned by Susan Duddy on Saturday, with the scores coming in at 73.400 and 73.125 respectively. 

Another score in excess of 70% was achieved by Rozzie Ryan on board her own Jive Magic gelding, Jarrah R, in third place with 70.425%. 

Dierks and Diamond Star were named FEI Big Tour Champions and winner Della Robertson Trophy at the end of the night, capping off an extremely successful day for the Dierks family. 

Earlier, daughter Danielle took out the Small Tour championship with her stunning San Amour stallion, Solo Feliz, the combination scoring an impressive 75.885% in the Agnes Banks Equine Clinic FEI Intermediate Freestyle. 

Danielle had described the stallion as “amazing” after the pair took out the Jill Cobcroft EA/FEI Prix St Georges Open Championship on Thursday and the Dressage NSW Intermediate I on Friday with another score in excess of 70%. 

The Grand Prix Freestyle wrapped up day three of competition at Sydney International Equestrian Centre, one of the biggest state championships NSW has seen in recent years.  Sunday is the final day of the Championships with Preliminary, Medium and Para Equestrian Freestyle competitions. 

For full results from the championships, click here. 

Dressage NSW will next host the rescheduled Clarendon Winter Festival at its home grounds in the Hawkesbury region from November 9 to 12. 

For more information and the schedule of events, visit www.dressagensw.equestrian.org.au/content/clarendon-winter-festival.