National Dressage Championships

Matthew Dowsley is pictured riding, Cheryl; Smith's Don Frederico stallion, 'Don De Sandro' that took overall fifth place in the Wagner's Elementary Championship.

NSW rider, Alana Houliston and her Carbine gelding, 'Dicavalli Caruso' finished in overall 22nd place in the Wagner's EA Elementary Championship.

Riding to secure a New Zealand Dressage Team place for the London Olympics, Shiwon Green rode her NZ Sport Horse 'Gosh' by Principle to earn 61.36%. A strong New Zealand Team are competing at the Australian Nationals that also constitutes a London Olympic Regional Qualifier. Whilst the full NZ team of four are competing this weekend, Australia is only fielding half a team; Rachael Sanna and Jaybee Alabaster, and Chantel Wigan riding Ferero, with Mary Hanna and Sancette and Lyndal Oatley and Potofar competing along with a South African Team in Holland next Wednesday 2nd November. Two of the three teams will qualify for London. After the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI/W today, New Zealand is in front of Australia by just 0.06.

Successful young Victorian rider, Lilah Nieuwland is pictured riding Ho Furphy's , 'Greenoaks Weltman' in the Needs For Seeds Prix St George. The man About Town gelding was formerly campaigned by Heath Ryan.

Nicky Pope was the second member of the New Zealand Team in the arena riding her German gelding by Eklat, 'Fabarchie'. They earned 63.12% in the Australian Sports Commission FEI Grand Prix CDI/W.

Successful and well travelled New Zealand rider, Louisa Hill produced a good Team test riding Anna Simson's 'Bates Antonello' by Anamour, to earn 66.12% and third place in the Australian Sports Commission FEI Grand Prix CDI/W.

Chantel Wigan's 'Ferero' looked supremely well, with his glossy coat shining in the sun, but unfortunately the Australian Team members did not produce their best Grand Prix for 62.46%.

New Zealand team member, Vanessa Way and her 'PH Arvan', another by Anamour, produced a strong Team test for 65.51 % and fourth place in teh Australian Sports Commission CDI/W.

In a class of their own. Rachael Sanna rode Bev Edwards's, 'Jaybee Alabaster' for the Australian team and to win the Australian Sports Commission FEI Grand Prix CDI/W with and impressive 69.10%. Another horse in beautiful condition, Alabaster would have earned more had he not broken in the first extension.

Well known and successful NSW rider, Sue Hearn rode her River Dance gelding, 'Remmington' to 12th place in the Needs For Seeds Prix St George with 65.05%.

New to the National Grand Prix competition, Arain Nyhuis-Fitzpatrick from Queensland rode her Dutch stallion, 'Olando' by Farrington in the Australian Sports Commission FEI Grand Prix CDI/W.

Well known NSW rider, Linda Foster makes a charming picture with her Richmead Medallion gelding, 'Mautitius' during the Australian Sports Commission Grand CDI/W.

Jeremy Janjic riding Lyn Jenkin's delightful and exciting Fresian stallion, 'Django of Cacharel' are welcome newcomers to the National Grand Prix competition and are pictured during the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI/W..

Successful and popular international dressage rider, Rozzie Ryan produced a much improved Grand Prix riding Olivia Bunn's former eventer, 'GV Bullwinkle' by Rocadero. They took ninth place in the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI/W with 63.27%.

Lesley Anne-Taylor extends across the arena aboard her beautiful, imported Welt Hit gelding, Weltklasse during the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI/W.

Caroline Wagner is pictured with the beautiful Jazz gelding, 'Tango V' that was imported by Mary Hanna. The promising pair are seen during the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI/W.

Well known NSW rider, Emmanuelle Josz is pictured riding her Weltmeyer gelding, 'Waiiri' in the Needs For Seeds Prix St George.

Sally Evans is pictured during the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI/W riding her well performed Aachimedes stallion, 'A'Seduction'.

Ann Slatford rode her eye catching, 'Silvery' by Santini to fifth place in the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI/W with 62.97%.

2010 World Cup Young Rider Final representatives, Megan Bryant and 'Donnabella' by Don Ramiro, represent the wonderful future of Australian dressage. They are pictured during the Needs For Seeds Prix St George, in which they earned, 63.63%..

Tor van Den Berge is beginning to make his presence felt in the Grand Prix ranks with Cheryl O'Brien's impressive and imported Hanoverian stallion, 'Fisherman Friend' that took sixth place in the Australian Sports Commission CDI/W with 63.95%.

Heath Ryan is making his way back to the top with his charismatic, imported Rubinstein stallion, 'Regardez Moi' that was second in the Australian Sports Commission CDI/W with 66.57%.

Nadia Coghlan has spent time training in Germany and has brought her good training back to Australia. She is pictured riding her Australian bred, 'Northern Campion' by Northern Congress in the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI/W.

Maree Tomkinson makes a beautiful picture with her eye catching and imported Rotspon stallion, 'Rodrigo III' in the Australian Sports Commission C Grand Prix CDI/W. Although there were a few small mistakes many thought this Maree and Rodrigo's best Grand Prix test. They earned 62.10% for overall 11th place. They were in fifth place with German judge, Gotthilf Riexinger.

Cathy Chittenden, another successful NSW rider, is pictured with her Domingo gelding, 'Solletico' during the Needs For Seeds Prix St George.

Matthew Dowsley, a dressage rider who needs no introduction rode Andrea Beatty's imported De Nero gelding, 'PSI De Caprio' to win the Needs For Seeds Prix St George with 69.21%. Matthew also rode Rodney Martin's , Falstermeyer, by Falsterbo to take fourth place with 66.52%. .

Elliott Patterson from Queensland is a talented young rider really on the move. he is pictured riding his own Laurie's Crusader gelding, 'Leandro' to 11th place in the Needs For Seeds Prix St George with 65.15%.

Always the power behind the throne, Helen Chugg is now sitting pretty herself. Helen rode her 'WS Nevada', formerly owned and ridden by Caroline Wagner to win the Equestrian Australia Grand Prix CDN.

NSW rider, Robyn Smith is pictured riding her Victorieux gelding, 'KS Beauchamp' in the Needs For Seeds Prix St George.

Well performed NSW combination, Rebecca Walshe and her 'Stylist' by Contango II are pictured during the Needs For Seeds Prix St George that was conducted in the SIEC indoor from 8.30am until 3.06PM today.