Day One

Roger Fitzhardinge for Equestrian Life

The first day of the ThinLine Dressage with Altitude CDI*** held in Orange NSW at the wonderful facility, “Bradgate Park” of John and Bev Healey was met with the most glorious weather. Blue skies and the gentlest of cool breezes kept the humidity down and temperatures in the mid twenties.

The first class was the Inter II sponsored by Prydes easy feeds, and it was a win to Nadia Coghlan and Carlyle on 66.08%. The test was full of promise and flare and this horse looked rounder and fluent but at times still a little open. This combination have had at their share of problems in the last few tests, so it was fantastic to see them improving and this was a really good showing. Second went to Mark Authur and Kooinda Saint with a mistake in the ones being costly and some tension in some of the work; but this horse and rider are new at this level and will definitely be a combination to watch in the future. Finishing on a 65.1% there is obviously gas in the tank for Grand Prix. Third to Heath Ryan and Utopian Cardinal with a 64.27% and the C judge placing them first. It was a good start to the competition with some good scores, though the judge at C was a little low throughout but the placings all seemed to pan out well.

Next was the trot up, which was held on the indoor surface and everyone passed. Then it was straight on to the Brightons Saddlery Advanced test and it was a good field of horses.  A very good win the SS Sonata with a 67.9%, this horse showed some great moments but was also marred by a few mistakes, particularly in a flying change when he took over! But the work was fluent, smooth, with plenty of expression and cadence but for some tension also seen in the mouth at times. Again a horse that is new to this level and the double bridle but showing a lot of promise and is a super horse. A well ridden test as always for Rodney Martin.

Second at their only second showing at Advanced was Denise Rogan and Virtuel I. This was a well put together test and the changes are becoming better established and confident despite one that was a little strong. Good collected work and Denise makes it all look very easy with a cool and uncomplicated manner. This was a great score of 66.46% for this young horse and the C judge had them in the lead on 68.4%.

Third went to Megan Bryant on Mr Jackson who is also very green at this class and did a great job, however the medium and extended trots were modest. Yet the changes were great with huge air and balance. Megan never gives a mark away and this horse (who she has totally brought through from preliminary) did a good job, again, still plenty of petrol in the tank as well here.

The classes may not have been the largest but the level of talent is very close (as shown in the scores) and I am sure that one of the helping hands here is that the surface is wonderful and the horses can really get off the ground. A big thanks must go to the venue and the wonderfully friendly ambience, give both horse and rider confidence to attack the competition and ride like they have nothing to lose!

The last class of the day was the Darlington Studs Prix St George and at his second ever start at the level with Brett Parbery, Aberhallo 29 scored 70.42% for a great win over Brett’s other ride in the class DP Weltmeiser with a 68.45%. Third to Heath Ryan and Johnny Depp on a 67.08% and a creditable fourth to Tor Van den Berg on 64.95%.

This class was exciting and it was a great battle for all the places. Consistency and continuity throughout the test, gained the marks and Brett was a great example of this on Aberhallo 29. People were saying that it was perhaps a little cautious and under ridden but the fluency was there in the consistency of the marks and let’s be honest, he still won fairly easily! This beautiful stallion is exciting, he is young at the level and the partnership new. Caution paid off and well done for doing so. 

Brett also rode a careful and tactful test with DP Weltmeiser who had a couple of moments where he looked volatile, but Brett rode so well and kept the geldings confidence which resulted in no mistakes. The placings were well deserved and the judging reasonably consistent but for the Sweedish judge who had a few horses somewhat out of order and was the only one to have Brett’s horses the other way around. But that’s judging and the subjectivity is what makes the sport go around! 

Needless to say it was great class to watch and some impressive horses indeed. Heath did a great job with Johnny Depp who is still lacking the confidence to really let go and show what his potential happens to be. A good test and a good percentage when you think he too has plenty there in reserve.

The top three here all look wonderful and now with the first test over and the confidence higher, tomorrow may well see a little more zip and a few more expressive steps. For me I think to continue to develop and keep consistency in the technique, then slowly but surely improve the confidence of the horse and then start to add more expression is the best way to go. If you start with no confidence or consistency, then if you try to add the expression it will not work and also the judges tend to lose confidence as well. It's understandable and it's the way to approach the sport.

It was a great days sport and I am sure there are some disappointed people but the thing to do is to look to the positive. It is also important to look to the winners with congratulatory words and praise, and then go and work harder to try to better yourself and your horse to be able to get closer to them in the future. You do this by getting better and not by bringing those winners down with negativity. This attitude needs to be taken on board in a sport that sees, too often, the mistakes and not the good. Talking about positivity the weather was perfect, the food great and to boot there was free wine at the end of the competition for all competitors as a welcome to Bradgate Park courtesy of Centenial Wine. There was also dog racing which was hoot with Wilma winning but she was on home territory!

Once again congratulations to the owners and connections the Heallys, it's been a great day and tomorrow is a bigger day indeed seeing both the CDI and the CDN Grand Prix tests, Inter I and the CDI Y. All eyes will be on Luxor and Katharine Farrell, a super horse who did well in the  CDN at Boneo Park being a close second to Aber Hallo.

View scores from Day One here: http://www.snafflebytes.net

Don’t forget the live streaming starts tomorrow also, so make sure you visit the LIVE TV page and sign up to watch the next few days of action! I will also be providing commentary for the most part, so don’t be afraid to jump on Facebook and ask questions!