Hunter young gun looking to qualify for 2017 Sydney CDI***

Hunter Valley teenager Mary Warren is looking to qualify for Australia's most prestigious international dressage competition, the 2017 Sydney CDI***.

The focus has switched to the next generation of the nation's dressage riders in the post-Olympic year, and Sydney CDI - taking place from April 27 to 29 at Sydney International Equestrian Centre (SIEC) – is the perfect platform to showcase our best young riders.

The program features a CDI-Y World Cup qualifier and the FEI Under-25 Grand Prix Tour, and will this year also feature a CDI-P pony competition for riders aged between 12 and 16 years.

Eighteen-year-old Warren made history last year after becoming the youngest Australian rider to win a CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle at the 2016 Australian Dressage Championships with her stallion Mindarah Park Ramadan – the same week she sat Higher School Certificate (HSC) exams.

Warren will be looking to qualify “Rammy” for this year's CDI, which she said took competition to the next level.

“I love the Sydney CDI. You enter SIEC and it's just a whole new level,” she said.

“The competitiveness, the international feel. Everybody's friendly because they're there for the same reasons and they all understand your troubles and the highs and lows of dressage.”

Warren is also currently campaigning Mindarah Park Ramadan's son, the nine-year-old Mindarah Park Raphael, with whom she is hoping to the Under 25 Grand Prix.

Interview with Mary Warren

“Raffy” is currently on the NSW Development Squad, and Warren said she is hoping “Rammy” will make it onto the Performance Squad in 2017.

Dressage NSW President Helen Lawson said the Sydney CDI offered talented young riders like Warren the opportunity to compete on the international stage.

“We have some exceptionally talented young dressage riders in this country and it's wonderful to be able to offer them a program of top competition at a truly international event,” she said.

“We are looking at the next generation of riders following the Rio Olympics and ahead of the next one in Tokyo. Now is the time to give our young riders the experience of competing on the international stage.”

With more than $45,000 in prize money up for grabs, the event attracts the best of Australian dressage riders.

Spectators can still enjoy the 2017 Sydney CDI from the luxury of the Top Spot Marquee, featuring a three-course meal plus wine and reserved dining seating for the main event on Saturday night.

Buy a VIP day pass to the marquee for morning or afternoon tea, lunch with Wild Oats wine, great coffee all day and VIP parking. Packages start at just $100.

General admission tickets can be reserved from just $20 online.

For more information, visit www.sydneycdi.com.

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