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Mary Hanna and Hamag W Stroma second in the Inter II.

Photo Credit: Roger Fitzhardinge

by Roger Fitzhardinge

The first class was the Prydes Easifeed Intermediate I, with a good win to the very in-form Mary Hanna and Umbro.  Despite a moment of miscommunication in the two tempi changes, which saw all three judges over 70% for a total of 71.28% and it was beams all round! Especially when Mary's second horse, Hamag W Stroma, secured a spot in the CDI here after only one score and a good one with five judges at a CDI, and Mary proving her worth to be first to go at the ungodly hour of 7:30am!! But Mary looked as fresh as ever. The scores were different, and the E judge marking low perhaps for a low neck at times, but a very nice end result of 68.6% to pip Heath Ryan by 0.04%, and a good test with a minor mistake in the transition to canter. In fourth place were Jeremy Janjic and Django of Cacheral on 67.6%, and then Lesley Ann Taylor and the flashy Amicelli Gold. There were many great horses in the mix and a good field of 20 horses.

The Hillgrove Warmbloods CDI Y Team Test saw a win to Moscow for Elisabeth Hulin from NSW with a 66.9%, and with another NSW entrant in Mary Warren and the stallion Mindarah Park Ramadan on a 65.98% (and a leggy test that at times lacked a little impulsion but a loose and expressive test). Karingal Jemiriqui, a bright and fun horse with plenty of BLING for Grace Kay, yet another NSW rider was third a whisker.  A field of nine horses and again a well presented class.

Winner of the PSG was Mathew Dowsley and Belcam Cadel.

Photo Credit: Roger Fitzhardinge

The Saddleworld Bathurst Prix St George CDI was SOME CLASS!!  A win to Matthew Dowsley and Belcam Cadel, owned by Bianca and Marion Barnes. This grey gelding by Capone was early out and so confidently ridden by Matthew, who really does have an air of ownership of this arena here!!!!!  1,1,8,3,1 were the places with the judge at C having him a little down. The flying changes were a little swinging, but absolutely all correct, and this has occasionally spoilt this horse's performance and a thrill indeed for his owners. He is a Victorian horse, and by Capone, and was very successful as a young horse at Dressage with The Stars, having won there as a five-year-old. Matthew has had a long relationship with this horse and his rider Bianca, but this is only his ever second ride in a competition on the horse. 

In second place was David Shoobridge and the super imported gelding Agent De Jeu with a 68.73%.  A few VERY costly minor mistakes in each of the walk pirouettes spilt what was perhaps one of the most fluent and swinging tests that this pair have produced. The frame was uphill, and David rode with a calmness and ease that perhaps isn’t always present. It was a great test and a good horse well ridden (they had 3,3,6,2,2).

David Shoobridge and The wonderful Agent De Jeu.

Photo Credit: Roger Fitzhardinge

In third was the elegant and elastic mare Furst Famous for Lisa Martin. Lisa has had a serious ankle injury, and a really unfortunate moment was when Lisa's stirrup became twisted and her foot came out, and she had to stop to put it back in. The Circles were a little large, but the overall impression was delightful with a wonderful contact and ease that gained her good marks. The changes all clean, and big smile and pat from Lisa. (They had 2,5,5,1,6). 

Dave McKinnon and Johnny Depp were in fourth, and then there was Katina Smith and the sparky Just Dance R who simply made every movement look easy, and great changes with a percentage from 70.0 to 63.4. Shaun France and Rubenesque did a wonderful test with two judges to be first with two and then a 6,10,8. Dresden and Alycia, a young horse with plenty of push and expression, were seventh. A little tense, as he is yet green at this level, but what a horse for the future! 

The wonderful mare Furst Famous for Lisa Martin.

Photo Credit: Roger Fitzhardinge

A fantastic class, and perhaps it may have been good to see a few more marks to the top riders, as perhaps the difference between the best tests and the not-so-great tests was a little modest, but needless to say, well deserved placings indeed.

The final class in the evening was the Inter A, sponsored by Canberra Performance Horses, with a fantastic win to Brett Parbery and PPH Zeppelin. The piaffe was sensational and the passage not so far behind that. Brett rode with diplomacy and tact, and it was obvious that this horse is quite green in parts of the test, yet so strong in others. This tall imported horse has taken time, and Brett has given him just that. It's paying off, and in the last few months and with some more competitions under their belts, they are going to be a serious threat to the Grand Prix ranks. (1,5 ..65.4,1..71.1) In second place was Jarrah R and Rozzie Ryan. This liver chestnut was indeed up to the mark of 66.57%. Jarrah R has made one Inter I performance and one Inter A last weekend!

 Aber Hallo 29 and Brett show some amazing parts and this was
part of it.

Photo Credit: Roger Fitzhardinge

Into third was another for Brett Parbery and the stunning imported stallion Aber Hallo 29, who has enough expressed willingness and exuberance and try-ability for all the horses in the venue. He is such a worker, and wants to please so badly when only half power would be just fine. A 65.78% was a great score, as there were a lot of mistakes, but seriously there were parts that were simply wonderful - full of expression and power. He has not competed for some time and he was into it!!!!! When he gets his mind back into just another day at the office he will be formidable. 

Gina and the Weltmeyer gelding Wallmeyer were 5th in the Inter A. 

Photo Credit: Roger Fitzhardinge

Gina Montgomery and Stedinger also rode a great test, and to be first out was not so easy and a 65.7% was right up there. And only 2% separated second to fifth. Stedinger is also green at the level, and showed all the movements and still better piaffe will get the marks right up there. No doubt the half pass trot was a real highlight with a great attitude to his work and as all Gina's horses they look so beautifully presented. It makes the total picture!! It’s a new test that’s not so often seen or ridden, and so it takes a while to work out where the test is weighted and make clear transitions and to get a better feel for the test. The riders need to ride this test and learn from the experience, and the results will escalate for sure. 

Camilla Palmer of Birds Equisports the major sponsors of this event on Glenquarry. 

Photo Credit: Roger Fitzhardinge

It was a fantastic day of competition. Again the food from Edwina Mitchel was, as always, sensational and a treat. The venue looks wonderful and the riders, coaches, judges, owners and committee all just have a wonderful time. It is a great show and no question that Orange has even turned on the weather with sun and warm days.

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