NSW rider Sue Hearn will see how the European qualifiers pan out before making any decision to travel overseas to try and clinch a berth on the Australian Olympic dressage squad 

Sue and her warmblood gelding, Remmington, have won the final qualifying event on home soil for dressage riders hoping to make it to the Olympcs at the 2016 Sydney CDI***, held from April 6 to 9 at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre (SIEC).

• Read more about Hearn wins final Australian Rio qualifier at Sydney CDI***

The trip across the Tasman has paid dividends for New Zealand's John Thompson, who took out the Equestrian Australia Grand Prix Special at the 2016 Sydney CDI***.

John and the Anamour gelding, JHT Antonello, scored 67.902 per cent to pull just 0.2 per cent ahead of Thursday's Grand Prix winner, Sue Hearn of NSW on Remmington, who came in second with 67.627 per cent.

Sue was “thrilled” to claim the Prydes EasiFeed FEI Grand Prix (CDI3*) and said Remmington put in another good performance but felt a little tired in the Special.

• Read more about New Zealand rider John Thompson takes out Grand Prix Special

Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final 2015/2016 - Grand Prix 

Gothenburg (SWE), 25 March 2016

By Louise Parkes

• Read more about Minderhoud wins Grand Prix and sets sights on Reem Acra 2016 title

A total of six nations will be making their Olympic and Paralympic debuts at Rio 2016 when they field athletes for the equestrian disciplines of Jumping, Dressage, Eventing and Para-Equestrian Dressage.

Five National Olympic Committees will be sending equestrian athletes to an Olympic Games for the first time at Rio in August - Chinese Taipei and Qatar for Jumping, the Dominican Republic and Palestine for Dressage, and Zimbabwe for Eventing, while Uruguay will be sending its first Para-Equestrian Dressage athlete to the Paralympics.

• Read more about Six nations make Olympic and Paralympic débuts at Rio 2016 equestrian events

By Hannah Brooks

GET READY, as a distinguished list of international judges will be making their way to Sydney to officiate at the Sydney CDI 2016.

Our very own, Susie Hoevenaars (FEI 5* Judge) will be heading up this international contingent as the Chairman of the Sydney CDI Ground Jury. In a recent interview at Clarendon, Susie was enthusiastic about her role “it should be a fantastic event. I’m really looking forward to it and our riders are improving - so it will be really exciting”.

• Read more about Getting ready for Rio ...

Dressage fans will be pleased to know that the top placegetters in the Pryde’s EasiFeeds Grand Prix and some of the Freestyle competitions including the Equestrian NSW Grand Prix Freestyle will be featured on the Sydney CDI You Tube Channel the day after each competition.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to secure a feasible live streaming solution for the CDI this year. This means that it is likely that Saturday night Freestyle will not be shown live online. 

• Read more about Come see it for yourself

It's the first time Lisa has attempted to qualify for an Australian Paralympic team, having been assessed as suitable for Grade Four competition earlier this year.

Lisa suffered a horrific injury 16 years ago when she fell from a young horse, resulting in her tibia crushing into the bottom of her foot. Six weeks after the original injury and after operations to insert steel supports, Lisa slipped and fell, damaging her leg again.

• Read more about Lisa Martin on the Road to Rio

Photo Caption: Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl is one of the 18 contenders hoping to grasp the title at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2016 Final in Gothenburg, Sweden next week (24-28 March) (FEI/Karl Heinz Frieler)

Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final 2015/2016 - Preview

Lausanne (SUI), 18 March 2015

By Louise Parkes

Excitement is mounting as Dressage stars from across the globe polish up their final preparations for next weeks’ Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final in Gothenburg, Sweden. 

• Read more about Intriguing competition in prospect for 2016 Reem Acra title