Entries open for the 2016 Sydney CDI

Entries have opened for the 2016 Sydney CDI***, the final home qualifying event for Australian dressage riders on the road to Rio.

To be held at the 2000 Sydney Olympic venue from April 6 to 9, the 2016 Sydney CDI has been scheduled a month earlier than usual to allow for Olympic qualification.

Four Australian riders will compete on the Rio team, and riders looking to be well up in the placings at this year's Sydney CDI include Victorian Maree Tomkinson, NSW Southern Highlands-based Brett Parbery and Sue Hearn, and Judy Dierks from The Hills near Sydney.

Brett comes into the event fresh from a clean sweep of the Small Tour at the 2016 Boneo Classic CDI last month, riding the nine-year-old Danish warmblood gelding, Larenso, owned by Mulawa Stud.

The combination took out the Prix St Georges with 69.132%, the Intermediaire I with 70.421% and the Intermediaire I Freestyle with 74.125%.

Judy will be looking to defend her Grand Prix Freestyle title, having taken out the event at last year's Sydney CDI on Diamond Star

Rio Olympics judges, Mexican Maribel Alonso de Quinzanos and USA’s Gary Rockwell, will be officiating at the 2016 Sydney CDI alongside fellow judges from Germany, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, USA and Australia.

The event will also include a huge trade and shopping village, first class entertainment and viewing from the Top Spot Marquee for premium ticket holders, merchandise, school and club educational tours and the Top Deck Café Bar in the indoor arena is the place to catch up with friends, enjoy a coffee, or a glass of wine/champagne and something to eat.

The Saturday evening "Road to RIO Dinner" package includes tickets to the Top Spot Marquee to watch the ever-popular Equestrian NSW Grand Prix Freestyle, plus the super exciting Jumping Accumulator Stakes competition.

 Tickets can be now be purchased online from www.sydneycdi.com.