Bridgette Dalmau has won the prestigious Sharon Doe Memorial Young Rider Challenge at the 2024 Gala Equine Australian Youth Championships today. The competition is held in honor of the late Sharon Doe, who was a highly successful young FEI Queensland dressage rider. Donated by Marion and Edgar Lichtwark, this event commemorates Sharon’s passion for riding, capturing the lightness and harmony she exhibited in the saddle.
The class has been formatted along the lines of the European Riders Championship and is open to riders up to 25 years of age, with a goal to emphasise the skills and artistry of young riders. The Sharon Doe Memorial is a rider class, judged solely on the rider’s ability, irrespective of the horse.
Reflecting on her performance today, Bridgette shared, “Sharon was such an inspiration to all of the Young Riders. My mum has told me stories of when she was competing against Sharon, and it is just such a privilege to be able to ride in this class.”
“It’s also really an honor to be the winner of a class that Elliot Patterson has previously won. It’s important to me to ride in his legacy, and I think especially with Young Riders in Queensland who he had such an influence on, riding for him in the Sharon Doe Memorial is exactly that.”
Today’s Results
FEI Pony Team Test (12 to 16 years)
- 1st: Morgan Lyall riding Mr Banks
FEI Youth Rider Prix St Georges (22 to 25 years)
- 1st: Emily Ballard riding Cougar V with 66.667%
FEI Young Rider Individual Test (16 to 21 years)
- 1st: Ella Jacobs riding Kalahari with 67.696%
FEI U-25 Grand Prix
- 1st: Bridgette Dalmau riding Bon Jovi MH 66.496%
FEI Pony Individual Test (12 to 16 years)
- 1st: Morgan Lyall riding Mr Banks with 66.532%
- 2nd: Isabella Anderson riding Boronia Applause
- 3rd: Alicia Dyke riding Indi Molloy
Sharon Doe Memorial Young Rider Challenge – Technical
- 1st: Bridgette Dalmau riding Bon Jovi MH with 72.500%
- 2nd: Jade Wilkinson riding Lord Kingsley with 69.375%
- 3rd: Ava Halloran riding Good Time
Championship Results
Medium Youth Rider Championship 4.3 (22 to 25 years)
- 1st: Caitlin Moore riding Remi Bellagio
- 2nd: Hannah Giblin riding Darius
- 3rd: Mikaela Pohlner riding Dusty Rivers Q Wood
Medium Young Horse Rider Championship 4.2 (10 to 21 years)
- 1st: Zali Greeney riding Jag Classique
- 2nd: Kimberley Webb riding Versace I
- 3rd: Kimberley Webb riding Dicavalli Decadance
Medium Young Pony Rider Championship 4.2 (8 to 21 years)
- 1st: Rosie Williams riding Kunda Perfectly Plain
The competition was filled with strong performances, showcasing the dedication and hard work of all participants. Congratulations to all the riders and their horses for their excellent achievements.
