Yusuf and Thiloshini - National Dressage Champions

The Sri Lanka Equestrian Association held its National Dressage Competition at the Premadasa Riding School in Nugegoda recently.

As the final event culminating the National Dressage Championship the competition was intense with the tussle for the championship between contenders in Groups C and D.

Hard work, dedication and more than a little luck helped the ultimate champions Yusuf Abdulhussein (Group C) and Thiloshini Abeysekera (Group D) secure their place as the first National Dressage Champions of Sri Lanka.

Riding club favourite Enjoy, Anika Seniviratne also enjoyed a successful day at her first competition, winning first place in Group A, followed closely in second by Paloma Mcdeigan- Lee and Samadhee and Chathumi who tied for third place.

A graceful performance by Kashmira Murugan and Asturius served them well with a first place in Group B. Tripti Mathews and Anjalie Mathews placed second and third respectively.

Group C saw the culmination of the hard work and efforts by the S. Thomas' Gurutallawa team. Tharaka on trusty Hades worked his magic to win the first place. Thomian Manoj Madushan and Tharindu Lakmal tied for second. Yusuf Abdulhussein was placed third.

On young horse Bindi in her first public performance, Thiloshini Abeysekera performed admirably in Group D. Dedication and trust shone through in this elegant display of partnership. Second in this category was Arosha Jayasundera with Prameesha Abeysekera placing third.

The launch of the Sri Lanka Equestrian Association website (http://www.horsesport.lk) also took place on this day. This new site designed by the Internet Agency was launched by the president of SLEA Faizal Ghany, David Bolling and Suranjith Premadasa.

The Sri Lanka Equestrian Association plans to further improve the sport of dressage in the country. As this sport teaches the fundamentals of riding this is an important step in Sri Lanka's journey to an international stage in equestrian sport.