The Saddlefitter Brisbane CDI wrapped up over the weekend at the Queensland State Equestrian Centre (QSEC) in Caboolture, with thrilling freestyle performances and champions crowned.
On Saturday evening, Jessica Dertell and Kilimanjaro (Bordeaux x Westpoint) danced their way to a CDI Grand Prix Freestyle win with a score of 72.180%. It was a personal best CDI Grand Prix Freestyle score for Jess and the 11-year-old KWPN stallion.
Matthew Lord and 11-year-old stallion Remi Vigneron (Viscount x Lanthan) placed second with a score of 71.425%, while Friday’s CDI3* Grand Prix winners, Emma Flavelle-Watts and Scarlatti Mio VSR (San Amour x World Diamond O) placed third on 69.035%. Tanisha Ryan and Prequel placed fourth, while Georgie Cham and Immenhof Scout placed fifth.
Sunday’s CDI3* Grand Prix Special saw Emma and 13-year-old gelding Scarlatti Mio VSR return to the winner’s circle, scoring an impressive 70.340% to add another win to their scoresheet. It was the combination’s best test of the event and a personal best in the CDI Grand Prix Special. The result saw them ultimately claim the CDI Big Tour Championship.
Matthew Lord and Remi Vigneron were second in the Special on 67.596% and were named the CDI Big Tour Reserve Champions. Jessica Dertell and Kilimanjaro placed third on 66%, while Victoria Luxford and Revelwood Animation were fourth, and Georgie Cham and Immenhof Scout finished fifth.
The CDI-U25 Grand Prix saw Ella Jacobs and Kalahari win with a score of 63.897%, while in the CDI-U25 Grand Prix Freestyle, Bridgette Dalmau and Bon Jovi MH claimed the win with a score of 67.870%. The latter combination was crowed the overall CDI-U25 Under 25 Champion.
Read more: BRIDGETTE & BON JOVI ROCK THE YOUTH NATIONALS – Equestrian Life, August 2024
The CDI-Y Individual Test saw another win for Tia Rose Mckenzie and Phenomenon, who claimed victory with a score of 68.441%. In the CDI-Y Freestyle, it was Angelina Thompson and Arnage Royal Edition who emerged the winners, scoring a super 71.2%.
Tia Rose Mckenzie and Phenomenon were crowned the CDI-Y Young Rider Champions, having also secured the CDI-Y Team Test on Friday.
The CDI-J Individual Test went to Millicent Fletcher and Amsterdam with a score of 70.735%. The combination also won Sunday’s Freestyle with 70.790%, rounding out a strong event for Millie and Amsterdam, who on Friday won the CDI-J Team Test with 69.455%. They were named the overall CDI-J Junior Champions.
Read more: BONEO BOUND – MEET MILLIE FLETCHER – Equestrian Life, June 2025
The CDI-P Individual Test and Freestyle went to Dakota Buchanan and Beauparc Mystique, with the duo also taking out the CDI-P Pony Rider Championship.
Saturday’s CDI-Ch Children’s Team Test went to Sage Sharpe and Alpine Park Sneak Preview on a total of 67.875%, backing up their CDI-Ch Preliminary B win on Friday.
Also on Saturday was the Intermediate I Freestyle, which went to Ava Halloran and Good Time on 69.585%, while the Intermediate A/B Freestyle went to Alexis Hellyer and Fidibus on 67.225%.
Decided on the results from the Prix St Georges and Inter I, the Open Small Tour Championship went to Katina Smith and BC Chilli Pepper, while the AOR Small Tour Championship went to Kayla Webb and Kenlock Enfield Sky, and the Pony Small Tour Championship went to Jacqueline Huppert and Cognac Diamond.
Similarly, the Medium Tour Championships were decided on the results from the Intermediate A and B tests. Alexis Hellyer and Fidibus won the Open Medium Tour Championship, while Lucinda Peacey and Revelwood Ovaltine took out the AOR Medium Tour Championship.
Further results from Saturday and Sunday:
Open Advanced Championship: Lisel Dingley and Elmos Fire VIP
AOR Advanced Championship: Sarah Kassulke and Springside Eddison
Pony Advanced Championship: Jessica Dertell and Roseglen Crown Royale
Advanced Freestyle: Danielle Keogh and Fomancier, 69.908%
Open Elementary Championship: Harvey Besley and Birk Van De Vosjes
AOR Elementary Championship: Vanessa Brown and Atalantis
Pony Elementary Championship: Belinda Russo and Gwarryen Aurora
Elementary Participant Championship: Anjanette McClean Smith and Cooramin Furstenfire
Preliminary Participant Championship: Kerry Higham and Kah Mah Formidable Sky
Championship winners from across the event earned their place in the Prestige Saddles Champions’ Draw. Belinda Russo, the Pony Elementary Champion aboard Gwarryen Aurora, was the lucky winner of an $11,500 Prestige Italia saddle and strapping package.
Remi Stud Scholarship goes to Alicia Dyke
The annual Remi Stud Scholarship was once again awarded to a young rider showing talent and dedication in the disciplines of either dressage or eventing, who requires assistance to purchase a horse of their own. Founded by stud principal Cheryl O’Brien, the award is now in its 14th year.
The incredible prize is the ownership of a Remi-bred Hanoverian weanling (to be broken in by Matthew Lord at three years of age). This year, the weanling was Remi Ballerina S, by Remi Braveheart out of a Fürstenball mare. The ‘S’ denotes that the filly is a Remi Scholarship horse.
The deserving young rider who was awarded the scholarship for 2026 was first-time applicant Alicia Dyke, aged 17.
In addition to the beautiful filly, Alicia was also awarded with a year’s supply of feed from Pryde’s EasiFeed; a saddle, saddle pad and bridle from Edward’s Saddleworld Toowoomba; a year’s supply of Dr Show products; veterinary products from WestVets; lifelong registration from Equestrian Queensland and the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia; transport assistance from Manuel Equine Transport; farrier assistance from Adam Dolman Farrier Services; Kelato products; a trophy rug from Gala Equine; and riding wear and equine products from Horse in the Box and Equilibrium. The total prize was valued at $40,000.
With Cheryl now reducing her breeding program at Remi Stud, Remi Ballerina S could be the last Remi Scholarship horse – as Cheryl can’t guarantee she’ll have weanlings available in the future. As such, the door is open for another breeder to fill the void and help carry on the tradition of donating a well-bred young horse to a deserving young talent.
Catch up on Friday’s report here.
Catch up on Thursday’s report here.
For full results from The Saddlefitter Brisbane CDI, visit Nominate.
You can re-watch select classes from Friday and Saturday at the event on demand via ClipMyHorse.TV.
