Competitors trotted ahead in the Geraldton Combined Equestrian Club Dressage Championships despite rain

Heavy rainfall provided challenging conditions for competitors and spectators alike during the Geraldton Combined Equestrian Club Dressage Championships. Heavy rain and lightning threatened to disrupt the competition held over August 17-18 but the riders forged ahead. This year saw the GCEC welcome A-level judges Peter Shaw and Adam Reiss who made the trip from the Eastern States. The judges expressed admiration for the riders to persevere in the trying conditions of heavy rainfall and concerns over delays. Local rider Indi Smith cleaned up in her first year of competition working alongside her mare Darkest Secret, winning both the Preliminary and Novice Championship, along with three other individual awards. After her competition debut, Smith is looking forward to stepping up to elementary level at next year’s championships. The large tour winner was Melanie Nixon who won the Olympic level Grand Prix test with Matavia Fisher King. She said the interstate judges were a large drawcard for her to compete. Winners were presented prize money from local sponsors and businesses along with championship rugs. GCEC DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS WINNERS Preliminary Horse: INDI SMITH and DARKEST SECRET Preliminary Pony: CHAMPION — ASHLEE BLAKE and THIACAN DONANDRA Novice Horse: INDI SMITH and DARKEST SECRET Novice Pony: ALYSSA SCOTT and MOREFAIR RHYDER Elementary Horse: SUSANNE MITCHELL and AFRICAT Elementary Pony: ALYSSA SCOTT and MOREFAIR RHYDER Medium Horse: LILLY CHANT and DARIUS OF KINGS Medium Pony: DINAH FLEMING and KNIGHTWOOD CRUSADER Advanced Pony: DINAH FLEMING and KNIGHTWOOD CRUSADER Small Tour: RON FLEMING and SAMFORD Large Tour: MELANIE NIXON and MATAVIA FISHER KING