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Small Tour Champion Dean Izzard riding Salmour
© Amy-Sue Alston photography
By Gary Lung
The last day of the Saddleworld 2019 Brisbane CDI has arrived. Sad for some who have enjoyed themselves and don’t want to see the event finish and excitement for others who are keen for the Laura Graves masterclass the next day.
This event has been a year long preparation for event director Leesa Murray and her organizing committee. Apart from putting a CDI schedule together, securing sponsors, sourcing judges and ground jury, arranging overall logistics and finding and managing a team of volunteers is no mean feat.
There are approximately 60 names that make up the list of volunteers helping over the whole event. From writers, gear check stewards, stewards, arena maintenance personnel, scorers, catering staff to general helpers working closely together with the organizing committee. Many of these volunteers travel from around Australia giving up their time to be part of this fantastic event.
This event is not only about Advanced level horses performing beautiful higher movements or extravagant moving young dressage horses, but it’s also about involving clubs with nominated members to take part and compete. This is done through a challenge competition called the Saddleworld Novice Team Club Challenge and competitors nominated by their club, ride 2 novice tests to work out the winning club. In the Novice 2A, Bridget Brennan from Armidale on her elegant mare, New World Furst Class won it on a score of 71.61% and in the Novice 2B, Victoria Welch on Legacy of Loxley won it on 74.36%. The overall club winner was no other than the Caboolture Dressage Group which seemed perfect since the grounds used today are where they based themselves.
The first set of freestyle competitions for the day was the Chris Wain Equine Vet Services para equestrian FEI tests. When the music started for Victoria Davis on her stallion Celere in the Grade II competition, everyone was expecting her normal hip hop/rock style music but she pleasantly shocked everyone with songs from the soundtrack of “Ferdinand”. It was so fitting for her stallion’s Portuguese heritage and they won it on 71.53%. Louise Duncan from NZ on her warmblood gelding Wolkenstein BC continued her success over the weekend by winning the Grade IV test.
With a quick arena change, the Dressage Qld FEI Junior Rider 14 – 18 years old CDI – J competition started. Lucy Alati from NSW on her beautiful black gelding won it on a score of 68.87%. She and Rubinzent danced around the arena to the music from Avatar. In the ELD FEI Young Rider 16 – 21 years old CDI – Y competition, Mary Warren on Mindarah Park Ramirus won, dancing to the music of Brand X. I love this type of music, it’s dramatic with lots of highs and lows which is perfect for Mary’s chestnut gelding.
With a gap in the schedule, most of the crowds moved out to the trade village to find more bargains. I overheard someone from a group of shoppers from Victoria confidently state, “One can never have enough saddle pads and matching bandages”. I smiled to myself knowing that this comment fits perfectly with one of my young students who carefully plans her and her horse’s matching outfit the evening before.
The freestyle competition continues in the main arena with the Prydes Easifeed Intermediate Freestyle. This was won by Harvey Beasley riding Derreen Rock N Rolla, an elegant chestnut gelding. Harvey choose music from Cold Play and Daddy Yankee and out of the 5 judges, 4 had Harvey as the clear winner and the 5th judge had him in 7th place – maybe she didn’t like his choice of music.
In among the freestyle during the afternoon, the winner of the Remi Stud Young Rider scholarship was announced. This annual scholarship is awarded to a deserving young rider in his or her discipline who needs financial assistances to purchase a horse of his or her dream. This year’s winner is Charlotte Stephens from Samford who won a colt “Remi Lauristinus” by the Grand Prix stallion Lauries As out of a Fisherman’s Friend mare. This young rider scholarship has been successful, with the first winner, Bella Wilkinson-McIntyre competing her Remi Livingstone young horse at the recent Youth Championship to win their first championship together. What a great concept and thank you to Cheryl O’Brien for putting this together.
Next in the main arena was the Kohnke’s Own Young Horse showcase with Laura Graves. The first 3 place getters from the 4, 5 and 6 year old’s competitions held the previous day were invited to work with Laura. Laura worked with each age group explaining to the spectators what she looks for in a young horse. She helped each combination and it was refreshing to hear Laura repeating saying to keep the horse straight and to pay attention to the hind leg. What a treat to hear from Laura especially when this is her first visit to Australia. Can’t wait for the masterclass tomorrow.
Back to freestyle with the Ej & Co Intermediate A and B Freestyle. These horses are the up and coming Grand Prix horses where they get to perform grand prix movements with a little less intensity whilst still developing. Looking at the results, none of the 5 judges all agreed on a winner, however Mark Dowling from NSW came out of the wash as the winner on a score of 66.35%. It has been noted that Mark has always wanted to win a rosette so he can ride a lap of honor. Well tonight was his night, he got to lead the other place getters with not only wearing a rosette but a trophy rug on his horse. Well done Mark.
While the competitiors and their horses dance to music, a number of spectators booked into the Gala Ringside Dinner package where their ticket got them a reserve seat at a beautifully decorated set table, refreshments, a 3 course sumptuous dinner and front row access. In the past, I have heard that the meals were very delicious considering the limited kitchen preparation room. If you are every coming to this event, make sure you book a table for yourself and your friends.
As part of the build up to the Grand Prix CDI freestyle, the County Saddlery FEI Under 25 Grand Prix and the Q-Linn Australia Grand Prix CDN competitions took place. For the under 25, Anastasia Quirk on her elegant chestnut mare, World of Music won on 66.18%. I spoke to Anastasia later and she said she used a variety of music for her freestyle. For the walk and canter she used Thomas Bergersen’s Two Hearts and for the trot she used Return to Sender. She also commented that she was in disbelief and I could only imagine the buzz of winning a competition at a CDI. Congratulations to Anastasia.
For the CDN Grand Prix competition, Elloise Devlin on her gorgeous Anamour gelding, Brimstone Anakiwa was the clear winner with all 5 judges. This horse and Elloise have grown together, climbing the levels and to finally reach Grand Prix. I believe this is the last competition together for this successful team and Brimstone Anakiwa is now off to a new home. I can only imagine the lucky lady bursting with excitement to start her journey with her new unicorn. I can’t wait to see them out and about.
And now to final competition of the day, the Pryde’s Easifeed Grand Prix CDI Freestyle or Kur and what a close competition! The first 3 placegetters with very different styles of music and choreography placing within 1.09% of each other. Mary Warren on Mindarah Park Raphel won on 71.17%, second was Sue Hearn on Remmington on 70.09% and third was Sheridyn Ashwood on her Fererro Chocolate Box on a very close 70.08%. It must have been Mary’s complex choreography and the beautiful mixture of chanting music with some pieces from the Pirates of the Caribbean movie that the judges liked.
What an event! Beautiful horses, friendly competitors, hard working volunteers, experienced judges, amazing shopping and a fantastic venue. Congratulations of everyone for taking part! Now, bring on Laura Grave’s Masterclass.
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