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2016 Qld Young Dressage Horse & Pony Championships – Media Release
The Qld Young Dressage Horse Championships will once again be held in conjunction with the 2016 Brisbane CDI and are proudly sponsored by Hannoveraner Verband (4 and 6 year olds) and Hanoverian Horse Society Australia (5 year old). This year we welcome for the first time, the Young Ponies, and look forward to their numbers growing as more riders and trainers come on board the Pony Dressage train. Toowoomba Dressage Inc is the inaugural sponsor of the Young Dressage Pony Championships.
The Young Horse and Pony Championships are held for 4 year olds, 5 year olds and 6 year olds, and are judged over two rounds. In the first round, horses and ponies are ridden in groups of two in the arena at the same time. The top 10 scoring horses and ponies go forward to the second round, where they ride a set dressage test. The winner of the second round at each age (4, 5 and 6) is awarded the Qld Young Dressage Horse or Pony Championship.
The top scoring Qld-bred horse in each age group of the Young Horse Championships will also receive a special award. These have been kindly donated by the following Qld breeders: Jembrae Warmbloods (4 year old), Regal Warmblood Stud (5 year old) and Elite Warmbloods (6 year old).
Both rounds of the Young Horse and Pony competitions are judged by two judges who sit together and discuss each horse or pony before arriving at their final marks. Horses and ponies in all rounds are judged on rideability, basic paces, general impression and suitability as a dressage horse or pony. At the end of each test, the judges will provide commentary on the horses and ponies, giving the riders instant feedback and the spectators an understanding of what they are looking for.
The top three placegetters from round two of each age group of the Young Horse classes will be invited to take part in the Young Horse Masterclass with FEI 5* judge Lilo Fore, on Saturday afternoon of the Brisbane CDI – July 16. This is a wonderful opportunity for riders and spectators alike to gain an insight into how judges assess young horses from one of the world’s most experienced and respected judges.
Both rounds of the Young Horse and Pony Championships will be conducted at the Outdoor Arenas (Barr Oval), at the Qld State Equestrian Centre. The first round is scheduled for Thursday, July 14 and the second round, Friday, July 15. Spectators are welcome and entry is free.
We thank the sponsors of the Young Horse and Young Pony classes for their generous support of these classes, and also the competitors and owners for their support.