David McKinnon with Carol Oatley’s Forlan, who was named NSW Open Grand Prix Champion. Image: Roger Fitzhardinge.

Top performances at the Regency Floats NSW Dressage Championships

By Equestrian Life

The Regency Floats NSW Dressage Championships took place at Sydney International Equestrian Centre from 31 August to 3 September, with competitors from Preliminary through to Grand Prix in action. There were an incredible 720 tests ridden over four days of competition, made up of 49,386 total marks – a shout out to the judges and pencillers who awarded and recorded said marks!

Interestingly, there were 22 occasions where a 9 was awarded, and some 78.86% of marks were a 6, 6.5 or 7. The top ten scores across all levels at the Championships were:

1. Forlan and David McKinnon, Grand Prix Freestyle: 75.85%

2. Estupendo and David McKinnon , Inter A/B Freestyle: 75.445%

3. Chemistry and Kate Kyros, Grand Prix Freestyle: 75.41%

4. U Beauty Queen and Sydney Evans, Preliminary 1.3: 75.312%

5. SPH Fortino and Roberta McKinnon, Advanced Freestyle: 75.075%

6. TS Firestorm and Matthew Dowsley, Advanced 5.3: 75%

7. Karabil Park Santeria and Hillary McGregor, Preliminary 1.3: 74.479%

8. Dankesohn MBE and Megan Bryant, Elementary 3.3: 74.146%

9. Charlie Sheen 5 and Sophie Artup, Medium 4.2: 73.986%

10. Iresias L and Brett Parbery, Prix St Georges: 73.912%

Brett Parbery and Iresias L won the Open PSG and Inter I. Image: Roger Fitzhardinge.

David McKinnon had a huge weekend, claiming the NSW Open Grand Prix and Medium Tour Championships with Carol Oatley’s Forlan and Viv Lipshut’s Estupendo respectively. Forlan scored 72.848% to win the Grand Prix, and 75.85% to win the Grand Prix Freestyle. In the Medium Tour classes, Estupendo scored 75.445% to win the Inter A/B Freestyle, 73.379% to win the Inter B, and 71.863% to win the Inter A. Dave’s wife Robbie also had a successful event, claiming the NSW Open Small Tour Championship with Hollands Bend Rococo.

Robbie McKinnon and Hollands Bend Rococco, third in the Inter I with 70.681%. Image: Roger Fitzhardinge

Robbie McKinnon and Hollands Bend Rococco in the Inter I where they were third with 70.681%; the pair ended up overall NSW Open Small Tour Champions. Image: Roger Fitzhardinge.

Further Championship results were as follows:

Open:

NSW Open Grand Prix Champion: David McKinnon and Forlan

NSW Open Medium Tour Champion: David McKinnon and Estupendo