By Equestrian Life Staff

Day two at the Thinline Dressage with Altitude CDI*** and it was on for young and old from the crack of dawn.

The indoor arena is always well groomed and the surface fantastic so even the threat of storms and rain all day couldn’t dampen the mood. As it was it only threatened to rain and not a real drop eventuated, which was good for the competition, but bad for the country that is calling out for it.

The view across the warm up arenas from the indoor arena © Equestrian Life/Roger Fitzhardinge

Victoria Stuckey and Mayfield Be Brave won the Riders Diary CDIY with a great 66.85%. Tori is looking very at home in the dressage saddle and even more at home in the arena and uses her mind really well in the way she rides the test. Be Brave was not so brave and was not so secure in the arena but he really made a very forward and easy test. Elizabeth Hulin and the trooper Moscow were second with a 64.2% and Jasmine Lark and UQG Gallahad third on 55.9%.

The Equestrian Australian Under 25 Grand Prix CDI was won by Alexis Hellyer who rode for her life with Waca W. Waca was not enjoying the early start and was less than the golden child testing Alexis’ mental and physical skills. There was no question that Alexis is an elegant and talented rider, and she showed the steely stuff that makes Grand Prix riders. In the end she was in first place with Waca and second with Leandro, mark my words she is fast becoming a consummate competitor at this level and a delight to watch. Third was Megan Bryant, another one of our best young riders who does a wonderful job on the giant and sometimes a little lazy Northern Xanthus III. She was just a whisker away from Leandro and it was a really good competition.

Probably one of the hottest contested competitions at Bradgate Park was the Advanced class and the 5.1 saw a fantastic field. The win went to the hugely impressive (both in height and training) PPH Zeppelin and the consummate competitor Brett Parbery. The test was simply awesome, with Brett looking like he was not doing a thing!!! That's how it should be. The canter was impressive and uphill with very purposeful changes and collection. The trot was free and fluent and in good balance. Brett is a genius and deserved every mark of the 70.8% that he received.

Brett Parbery and Zepplin winners in the Advanced 5.1 © Equestrian Life/Roger Fitzhardinge

A mere 0.05% behind was the impressive chestnut mare First Famous and WOW this mare is something else. A few mistakes from simply being inexperienced at the level but some absolutely breath taking moments. A few extra flying changes were not needed but she certainly has a handle on them now :) In third place were the second place getters from the PSG class yesterday in Susan Elekessey and Don Rubin on 66.8%.

In fourth pace were Amerigo and Roger Fitzhardinge with a 66.6%. A mistake in a flying change was costly but this horse is new to this level and Roger told us he was absolutely thrilled to be so well placed in such a strong field. Fifth were Sue Hearn with Jude and next was the very well credentialed and performed Just Danse for Katina Smith.

Katina Smith and Just Danse R © Equestrian Life/Roger Fitzhardinge

It was a super class and some serious talent and great marks when you looked down the list there were some great horses.

In the Orange Veterinary Hospital Intermediate I it was again the stallion Bluefields Florino who took the blue bow with a 67.28%. Janina was riding him in his second ever Inter I and it was a good job indeed, but a few mistakes along the way and a lapse in concentration saw an error of test. The pirouettes were a little large but this is a stallion in the developmental stage at this level and he is very impressive. All he needs now is simply to consolidate and gain experience. He has it all.

Janina Kletke and Bluefields Florino winner of the Inter I © Equestrian Life/Equestrian Life

Second went to Tereesa Grills and Jaybee Alabaster Gelding Ecclesbourne on 65.4% and then Sheridyn Ashwood on Ferrero Chocolate Box. It was a shame to say that the small tour classes did not show the depth that the past few years have shown but that’s the way with dressage and there are always surges in the classes.

The Equestrian NSW Grand Pix CDN saw DP Weltmeiser and Brett Parbery do their first Grand Prix and what a cracker. A great score of 67.26% that if they had been competing in the CDI would have had them nearly winning! Brett was so please with his Weltmeyer gelding and the best thing for him was that he made all the one tempi changes (he is still smiling about that). It was a very good test and well deserved of the marks. The way Brett rides with empathy and guides his mounts around the arena is a delight to see.

In second place was Gina Montgomery and the beautiful Rodrigo III. His test was one of his best and Gina was thrilled with his efforts. Great canter pirouettes and some good passage and piaffe are now more consistent than he has been. The frame is steady, uphill and consistent. It was a great effort and well deserved of 64%.

Rodrigo and Gina Montgomery in the CDN Grand Prix © Equestrian Life/Roger Fitzhardinge

In third place was Heath’s youngest Grand Prix horse Johnny Depp, with a score of 61.5% and again a good job on this inexperienced horse.

Then it was on to the biggest class of the day the Thin Line Australia Grand Prix CDI and a win with a 67.7% to Tango V and Caroline Wagner. A decision that was unanimous amongst all the five judges.

Second to Sue Hearn and Remmington, this horse is steadily climbing the percentages ladder for a 65.8%. Remmington is a timid soul and Sue has been simply riding safe tests to gain his confidence, she rode for a little more and unfortunately made a big-ish mistake in the one tempi changes which saw marks fall.

Sue Hearn and Remmington © Equestrian Life/Roger Fitzhardinge

In third was Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi, four of the five judges had him in second and one had him in ninth with 66.5%, 67.1%, 66.2%, 67.1% and then a 59.8%!!!!! Some things will never change and this horse at times does present some frames and degrees of throughness that make clear marks hard to find. Needless to say there was some great piaffe and passage and now with coefficient marks on the piaffe it's for sure a help here. 

Regardez Moi and Heath Ryan © Equestrian Life/Roger Fitzhardinge

Fourth was Heath’s other young Grand Prix horse Utopian Cardinal on 64.98%. Michelle Baker and Coldstream Dante handed in their personal best to be fifth on 64.08%. This black gelding shows some energetic work especially in the piaffe and passage. He is a credit to Michelle’s training as he was a very nervous and hot character but now looks a solid as a rock.

Brett Parbery and Tor Van den Berge gave a combined Master class and it was very informative. Brett managed to simplify the aids and controls so well it was awesome. He rode Good as Gold and Tor Lauries As and again so professional and these guys really know their stuff and deliver it well.

So ended the day except for the Dog Racing where over three thousand dollars was raised. Twenty five percent of this is being donated to breast cancer research with the remainder going towards funds for Dressage With Altitude. Approximately 60 dogs raced in three divisions and were auctioned before they raced. It was a monster fun night and what a great idea and as always the committee and the friendly attitude at this show is something to experience.

Today is another huge day and plenty of freestyle action, stay tuned for a further report.

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