Eques Magazine


	The Van Leueven Chocolatier 2009 SA Country Dressage Championships were held on April 25 & 26 at the Naracoorte Showgrounds, and proved to be a drought breaker! Friday afternoon threatened a wet weekend and that was just what occurred. Bravely, competitors rode on through the rain and wind, very admirably. Unfortunately the freestyle events on the Saturday were the most heavily effected, with several riders opting to reire mid-test out of concern for their horses who were clearly not enjoying things. In the Horseproblems Australia Preliminary (rug donated by Hopkins Saddlery) event, we saw professional rider Heather Currie come out as the winner with the imported gelding Emporio Van de Zwarte Molen. Cheryl Hatswell with Pondersa Stud Lucarno was runner up in this event.


	The Neds Novice champion (rug donated by Walkenny Park) the Champion was Ruth Schneeberger and Ponderosa Stud Lucarno (owned by Cheryl Hatswell). Ponderosa Stud had a very successful weekend. Runner up in the Neds Novice was Heather Currie and Amana Valley Rococo. Rymill Coonawarra's ELementary Championship (rug by Bonnetts) was taken out by the very successful Ruth Schneeberger again on PS Lucarno. Ruth beat herself here on her own horse, FLowervale Freereign, who was the runner up.

	photos: top-Jo McEvoy and Rimini Park Baricello in rare sunshine, in the Medium on Saturday below-Denise Rofe aboard MM Chaconne in the PSG

With thanks to: Carly Boon
Mid South East Dressage Club, for event coverage