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Winners are grinners! Judy Dierks and Diamond Star won the Grand Prix CDI-W.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
By Equestrian Life / Insights from Roger Fitzhardinge
Photos by Roger Fitzhardinge
The sun was out at the 2017 Martin Collins Australian Dressage Championships at Boneo Park in Victoria… but the wind was chilly! The Grand Prix horses were in action this afternoon, and although some were a little unsettled by the windy conditions, there were plenty of great performances.
The Grand Prix CDN and CDI-W classes, live streamed by Equestrian Life courtesy of Horseland and Barastoc, saw some of Australia’s top dressage riders in action.
Results:
Grand Prix CDN:
1st – Alycia Targa and CP Dresden (64.120%)
2nd – Brett Parbery and Lorenso (63.880%)
3rd – Kaz Roe and Rattle N Hum (60.060%)
Grand Prix CDI:
1st – Judie Dierks and Diamond Star (69.300%)
2nd – Brett Parbery and DP Weltmieser (69.060%)
3rd – Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten (68.740%)
FULL RESULTS
GALLERY
Don't miss tomorrow's live stream of the Grand Prix Freestyle classes!
EVENT REPORT:
Grand Prix CDN
First out in the Grand Prix were those competing in the CDN class.
Kaz Roe and Rattle N Hum were first into the ring, and produced a good test and a score of 60.060%. In the windy conditions, this was a fantastic effort that saw the pair eventually finish in third place.
Jenny Bray and CJP Diamond Dazzler, a stunning chestnut, were second into the ring. The horse has really nice cadence and a great ability to passage. Unfortunately, Diamond Dazzler struggled with the wind and flapping tents; there were a few tense moments and sadly the pair retired part way through the test.
Next came Breanna Tillitziki and black stallion Fiji R; R being for the Ryans. The horse has a nice frame and good balance, but just lacks a little elasticity. There were a few irregular steps in the half pass; once you’re in the half pass and a mistake occurs, it’s hard to regain the rhythm. A few more irregular steps in the extended trot led to the judge ringing the bell to end the test. A real shame for Breanna travelling all the way from NSW, but the test did look out of balance and the judges must act on what they see on the day. The rules are the rules, and unfortunately chief judge Jane Ventura had to make the call. Regularity is of the utmost importance; it’s something we all look for.
Brett Parbery and the chestnut Larenso were next into the ring. This horse was imported three or four years ago from France and they have taken him nice and slowly. Brett rode a very quiet test at Willinga Park’s recent Dressage by the Sea event, as the horse is inexperienced. One of a number of things for good marks in a Grand Prix test is riding a clean test, which is what Brett was aiming for. Larenso has lots of knee action and Brett always has him in a lovely frame. The pair showed a very impressive trot, and Larenso shows great talent and elasticity. However, he could be a little more sitting and take more weight on the hindlegs. In the extended aces, the hindlegs don’t quite match what this horse has in the front… but it’s hard to have everything! Larenso is a horse for the future and now is the time to start to put the icing on the cake. The paired scored 63.880% for second place.
Brett Parbery and the chestnut Larenso.
Next came Kelly O’Keeffe and Heatherton Park Gift from NSW – another chestnut! It’s nice to watch combinations that enjoy their work and progress up to the Grand Prix. The horse has a talent for piaffe and passage, and although she was a little unsettled today, you can still see plenty of quality steps in there. The same pot plant (at the S marker) that ended Diamond Dazzler’s test also unsettled this horse; the wind was certainly a factor today. This scary moment caused them to lose a little focus and when something happens in the Grand Prix it’s really hard to get back on track, as it’s a test that just keeps coming at you. However, they pulled it together well and a fantastic piaffe to finish with some very impressive steps. For her first year in Grand Prix, the mare has done a terrific job – 57.540% for sixth.
Kelly O’Keeffe and Heatherton Park Gift.
Caroline Coleby and Jaybee Don Grande were next. A lovely straight entry and great square halt to begin. The extended trot was in a really good rhythm, although the horse could have been a little more over the back in the corner and there was a little loss of rhythm in the second extended trot. They were in out and out of the piaffe a tad; perhaps a little distracted with the wind, but some really good steps in there. The one-time tempis started very straight and looked great, but a few mistakes crept in towards the end. Some great passage with quality steps down the centerline to finish and a score of 57.120% for seventh.
Alycia Targa and the Jane Bruce-owned CP Dresden were next. A great young horse who hasn’t got a lot of experience at the level but pulled out a terrific Freestyle recently at Willinga Park’s Dressage by the Sea where it all came together. This horse tries his heart out. Unfortunately a little spook at the S marker – the same spot where some of the other horses had spooked. A great job with the two-time tempis; he could cover a little more ground but otherwise a great. The were 13 quality strides in the one-time tempis, but a costly mistake at the end. Very classy pirouettes. The horse has great adjustability and Alycia didn’t have to kick or pull once; the horse really carries her. A great halt to finish for a score of 64.120% - our Grand Prix CDN winners!
Alycia Targa and the Jane Bruce-owned CP Dresden.
Next came Gary Lung and GB Winchester. The paired showed a great extended trot with excellent transitions and also some great steps in the piaffe. The only this with this horse is that he gets plenty of hindleg action, but doesn’t necessarily take the weight on them. He did a great job, and there was some real quality work in there. A score of 60.060% placed them fourth.
The last horse in was Monica Bird and Quinlin, a lovely elegant liver chestnut horse. A really nice type of horse. Unfortunately, a little error of course early on in the test in the passage, but the pair regained composure to carry on. The first pirouette lacked continuity, but the second was an improvement. A good test that saw the pair finish on 58.440% for fifth.
Grand Prix CDI-W
On to the CDI-W class…
Alexis Hellyer and the stallion Bluefields Floreno were first out in the CDI-W. Floreno is a stunning liver chestnut stallion. Being a stallion with a cresty neck, it can be a little hard to ensure the poll is the highest point, and he could look a little more uphill at times. However, lovely active hinglegs in the passage, clean two-time tempis, great canter half passes and very beautiful, balanced pirouettes. A really terrific test for a young horse and big cheer from the crowd! The pair scored 66.720% for sixth place.
Julia Battams and Westawind came next. Sometimes this horse is a little too open in the contact; it would be good to see some more connection from front to back, and collection, at times. A little mistake going into the zig zag where Julia rode a pirouette instead and unfortunately that’s a costly 2% penalty. He’s a beautiful stallion who Julia rides really well, but he needs to be more through; the movements need to be more contained and then the work will come easier for this horse. Great passage and piaffe to finish for a score of 54.600%.
Next came Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten from New Zealand; she competed at Rio on this little chestnut firecracker. So much elasticity and expression, and this horse shows great rhythm and consistency. This gelding has great front legs and good hindleg action, but could show more overtrack in the extended trot. It was great to see this horse, who used to be a little hot potato, looked so relaxed in the walk. A little mix up in the passage to canter (this is a tricky transition that many struggled with) and the horse could have shown a little more front leg action in the piaffe – but otherwise a fantastic test for 68.740% and third place!
Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten.
Mary Hanna’s daughter Gitte Donvig was next with Sancette – a gelding by Sandro Hit. Terrific extended trot and some great steps in the passage with good energy, although the horse gets a little stuck in the piaffe at times and could have more energy. Perhaps not as connected from the back to the front as we’ve seen this horse before, and at times Sancette lacked a little quickness. A beautiful horse with a great attitude – a great test for 65.880% and ninth place.
Brett Parbery and the huge 18 hand PPH Zeppelin was next. Zeppelin is a horse that has no trouble going forward. At times this horse gets a little hollow and could be more through. He horse loves to piaffe, and did a great job; the passage was a little modest but Brett knows just how much to push him. A few mistakes in the one-time changes, but the horse has improved a lot with this movement. A good test for 65.140%.
Kylie Riddell and Clive came next; Clive has been to the London Olympics and rules the roost at home, he’s opinionated and has an answer for everything! A truly lovely horse that has a fantastic half pass and really gets off the ground, as well as a fantastic passage and piaffe. A little mistake with the transition before the one time tempis, but otherwise a good test for 62.720%.
Susan Paix and the lovely grey Sheer Etiquette were next into the arena; Susan loves riding dressage and just loves this mare to death. The judge sadly called the pair in due to unevenness, and their day finished early.
Holly Cutler and Diva Royale were first after the break. This is a beautiful mare who does some great work and has huge potential; a very talented horse. Holly is a lawyer with two kids and she does a fantastic job with this horse. A great passage, although not her best piaffe today. Really nice two-time tempi changes with good energy and rhythm. Neat, correct canter half passes although there could be a little bit more energy. A great halt to finish for 60.620%.
Susan Elekessy and Don Rubin were next. A nice extended trot with good overtrack and and an uphill way of going. This horse isn’t the easiest horse to get in a good frame by nature; he gets a little behind the vertical at times. There were a few mistakes in the one-time tempis, where the hindlegs were getting a little higher than the front legs. Susan does a great job getting the most out of this horse, and the piaffe and passage at the end was great for a score of 64.020%.
Shannan Goodwin and Aristede started well, but had an unfortunate trip at F marker just before the trot half passes. The pair recovered well and got back on track despite losing the reins momentarily, but a few costly marks were lost for sure. Aristede was perhaps not as uphill as he was at Willinga Park’s Dressage by the Sea when he won the Grand Prix Freestyle – but still some great energy throughout the test. The one-time changes had great rhythm and consistency, while the pirouettes were also good. Despite a really tough start to the test, Shannan did a fantastic job to keep her cool and regain composure after only doing four or five Grand Prix tests in her life; a great finish with passage and piaffe for 66.680% and seventh place.
Shannan Goodwin and Aristede.
Next into the ring was DP Weltmieser for Brett Parbery. Nice positioning and bend in the half pass with the pair doing a great job. The passage and piaffe were in a good rhythm and well ridden, but perhaps a little modest. Brett’s a clever rider and knows how far he can push the horse; he rides for a neat, accurate test. Great two-time tempis, but just one little mistake in the one-time tempis. A really nice, neat test that looked effortless and easy; it’s nice to see a combination where the horse moves the rider, rather than the other way around. Brett should be very happy. The pair scored 69.060% for second place!
DP Weltmieser for Brett Parbery.
Rozzie Ryan and Adonie came next, and this mare can be a little hot. They are getting better and better all the time. The energy is great, and the mechanics are so nice with this horse… and Adonie knows how to passage! A score of 64.860%.
Mary Warren and Mindarah Park Ramadan produced a lovely square halt to start. Ramadan, being a stallion, by nature can be a lazy horse but Mary really makes him kick along. At times he just lacks a bit of energy, but technically the combination are very good. Not Ramadan’s best test today, but Mary’s a young rider on a big horse and she did a great job for 60.860%.
Abbie Deken and KH Ambrose. Very nice and buoyant in the passage and great two-time tempis. The extended canter could be a little more uphill, and a little against the hand in the canter zig zag, although no mistakes. Unfortunately a little loss of the passage down the final centerline, but otherwise it looked great for 64.400%.
Robbie McKinnon and Robali Razzamatazz produced really great half passes; really expressive with great crossover. Super expression in the extended trot, and nice passage. A much better test than at Willinga Park when the horse was just a little off. A little bit sideways in the twos, but no mistakes. Very expressive zig zag, but could be a little more sitting. Fantastic one-time changes; this horse finds it hard to get his head around the one time changes, but today it was great for a score of 64.540%.
Judy Dierks and Diamond Star entered the ring, and controversy ensued. The gate opener appeared to opened the gate before the bell, Judy went in… and it was marked as an error of course and minus 2%. Perhaps hard to hear the bell in the wind. Judy had to restart test. Great two-time and one-time tempis, the pirouttes could be a little more active, but otherwise great. It was a really good test overall, and fortunately the error of course was eventually overturned – meaning that Judy and Diamond star finished the day in first place on a score of 69.300%.
Judy Dierks.
Spencer Wilton and Umbro, wildcard entry nominated by the UK, came next. He’s only ridden the horse three or four times. There was a little irregularity in the passage to begin with, but then a great piaffe. What a fantastic horse for someone to hop on and ride; years and years of training from Mary has paid off. Dead straight, correct two-time changes and only one little mistake in the one-time changes. Good management, good training, good riding for a score of 67.700% for fourth place!
Spencer Wilton.
Deon Stokes and Royal Oak II, a lovely black stallion, followed. Correct two-time tempi changes, although a little tight in the one-time changes. A little bit of a sway in the passage and piaffe, but otherwise goof. A great little stallion and a great test for 67.680% and fifth place.
Rozzie Ryan and Jarrah R; Rozzie has persisted with this horse and worked hard to get to Grand Prix and can score over 70%. This horse really pushes from the back end in the passage and piaffe, with the shoulders coming up. Rozzie always manages to gain marks where other people perhaps couldn’t. For someone who doesn’t like the zig zag, Rozzie did a fabulous job on this horse. Lovely straightness in the passage down the centerline to finish and a score of 65.880%.
Leslie Anne Taylor and Amicelli Gold were next in; this horse is super elastic with good hindleg action. Nice and uphill in the half passes. Very through in the body; he’s an absolute athlete. A great ability to piaffe and passage, although perhaps just a little tight in the neck at times. The pair got a little out of rhythm in the extended trot. The highlight really was the piaffe and passage; the pair scored 64.980%.
The last horse in was Utopian Cardinal and Heath Ryan. Cardy is a very expressive horse from the front. It’s the horse’s fourth year of Grand Prix; it takes three years to really work into it. He does the piaffe quite easily, and has great flexibility in the neck during the canter half passes. Really good in the pirouettes; all Heath’s horses are good at this! The pair scored 66.460%.
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