Firstly to acknowledge the wonderful supporters for their contribution to the Scholarship, many of whom have been supporters of this scholarship for many years:

🐴Matthew Lord from Lord Dressage Australia – 10 weeks breaking and training when the horse turns 3yo. Matt needs no introduction, having a very successful CDI this year!
🐴Pryde's EasiFeed for donating a year’s supply of feed, plus the feed when breaking in the horse.
🐴Edwards Saddleworld for donating a wonderful Prestige saddle, bridle and saddlecloth to the lucky winner.
🐴Dr Show for providing a goody pack of amazing Dr Show products
🐴WestVETS Equine Hospital for providing veterinary care to the value of $750.
🐴Horse & Co. Dayboro (new supporters) for donating $1,000 worth of beautiful riding competition attire to the lucky winner.
🐴Equestrian Queensland and Equestrian Australia for providing Life Registration for Remi Valentino S, plus marketing.
🐴The Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia for providing merchandise plus Life Registration for Remi Valentino S.
🐴Manuel Equine Transport for providing the transport for the horse to his new home.
🐴Richard Meaker Farrier for donating farrier care to the beautiful weanling from the time he was born. Richard also made a wonderful bootjack.
🐴Kelato Animal Health for providing $1,500 of their wonderful health products to this year’s winner.
🐴Gala Equine (new supporters) for designing and making the beautiful trophy rug Remi Valentino S wore to the presentation.

Thanks must also go to Deb McNicol and Ros Lipp for their help with reading and rereading many times all the applications received from all over Australia and assisting with selecting the worthy recipient, a massive and responsible task – Cheryl wishes she could provide this scholarship to many of the talented Australian riders who applied.

This year’s Scholarship weanling is sired by Remi Stud’s licensed Hanoverian stallion Remi Vigneron, whose dressage career to date has been outstanding, with 2023 being very successful, being crowned the CDN Inter I champion at the Sydney CDI earlier this year, and over the weekend winning the CDN PSG and CDN Inter I, culminating in being awarded the Small Tour Champion for the 2023 Brisbane CDI.

This is the 11th year of the Scholarship. Past winners are:
2013 – Isabella Wilkinson-McIntyre from Brisbane (Remi Livingstone S by Lauries As)
2014 – Alexander Barlow from Rockhampton Qld (Remi Liberty Belle S by Lauries As)
2015 – Jordyn Faint from Londonderry NSW (Remi Fall Guy S by Fishermans Friend)
2016 – George Grover from Tasmania (Remi Lord of the Vale S by Lauries As)
2017 – Olivia Ruzsicka from Humpty Doo NT (Remi Lazzarini S by Lauries As)
2018 – Saskia Smith from Orange NSW (Remi Lauries Dream S by Lauries As)
2019 – Charlotte Stephens from Samford Qld (Remi Lauristinus S by Lauries As)
2020 – Elise Payne from Ourimba NSW (Remi Laurentia S by Lauries As)
2021 – Amelia Dart from NSW (Remi Virtual Star S by Remi Vigneron – who is due to go under saddle by Matt later this year)
2022 – Georgia Creed from Biloela Qld (Remi Valdemar S by Remi Vigneron – who is growing quickly!)

So, on to this year’s winner – and it was with delight that Cheryl O’Brien from Remi Stud announced that the winner of the 2023 Remi Stud Young Rider Scholarship is...

Amy Bachmann from Ravenswood in Victoria! 🎊

Amy has applied for this scholarship religiously over the years and was in the top 3 finalists twice! Having started riding on a giveaway Shetland pony as a child, she has progressed up to competing in the Pony Grand Prix at the Australian Dressage Championships last year on her pony Louie that she bought as a 5 year old show pony. They also won the Small Tour at the Australian Interschool Nationals and the FEI Pony Grand Champion at the 2020 Australian Dressage Championships.

Despite coming from a non-horsey home with limited funds, her mum and dad’s support as ‘horse parents’ was unwavering. Amy had lots of ambitions and would take on ponies rejected by other kids as too difficult to ride. More recently she was offered the ride on a 16yo 17hh gelding provided by her coach Julie Scougall, and recently started competing in Small Tour with scores of nearly 69% in the Inter I. They went on to win the FEI Junior at the Aust Youth Dressage Championships in 2018, the CDI Young Rider Championship at the Boneo CDI in 2020, and then they were awarded the Victorian Dressage Young Ambassador of the Year.

During Covid, Amy found her next project - a chestnut broodmare called Midge – who she thought could breed her some nice foals if she didn’t work out under saddle. In true Amy style, 3 years later Midge has just competed in her first U25 Grand Prix and are now ranked 132nd in the World FEI Young Rider class.

The sky is the limit for whatever horse Amy decides to take on so there is no doubt being given a purpose bred dressage horse will help continue her ambitions and reach her full potential.

Many congratulations to Amy! She is a very determined person who aspires to be the best at everything she does and we are looking forward to watching her journey with her beautiful weanling colt Remi Valentino S (aka Mario).

It is with pleasure that the Brisbane CDI event committee with Anita Barton at the helm provides the time during the event for this presentation to be showcased each year!

And lastly to add… Cheryl, the organisation and execution of this amazingly generous scholarship is outstanding and just so kind. You are a genuine fairy godmother!

📸Stephen Mowbray Photography