© Roger Fitzhardinge

By Roger Fitzhardinge

The first day of competition and it was a simply stunning spring day at Willinga Park with the ambience an absolutely dream. The venue is so environmentally friendly. It moulds into the gardens and stone work with water features. There is fabulous food and coffee and the general public are seated around high tables viewing classes that have some very talented horses and riders to enjoy.

The first class in the main arena was the Green World Nursery CDI Junior team test and it was won by Angus Fripp riding Foxwood Remy and a stunning brown gelding bred in Berry NSW by Maxine Fripp, grandmother of Angus. So quite a family affair. Angus rode a good test on this relatively inexperienced horse and only a few mistakes in the flying changes marred the test, and those mistakes are costly in the scheme of this CDI Junior test.

The second competition was the Landmark CDI Young Rider Tam test and a very close competition with the winner on 66.42% to Tallyho Something Saintly and Sienna Hawkins. He is a very appealing brown gelding by Tallyho Jupiter and it was a super test from Sienna scoring very consistently throughout. A mistake in the 4 tempi changes saw some marks of 4 and this would have been costly to the overall percentage but by the same token good enough to win.  

In second place was Quizzical for Tanisha Ryan on a score of 66.18% and won’t Tanisha be kicking herself for messing up one of the easiest movements in the test, the walk to canter transition!!!!! Thats dressage and you cannot loose concentration for a single moment.  In third was Sarah Faraway and GV Ryans Rave, a big bay horse that was extremely well ridden and prepared for every movement of the test and a step missed in the walk pirouettes and a mistake in the four tempi changes did not help the overall score. GV Ryan's Rave has come a long way to be at this level and continues to improve and the work we have seen in the warm up looks great but too get it in the arena is another game and as he gains experience and confidence he will get the marks he is capable of. In fourth place was another ride for Sarah and MW Rotsong on 63.18%. A bright chestnut horse with a very elegant frame but perhaps a little tight at times during the test but all the same another inexperienced younger horse to the CDI ranks and again a well presented test. This young rider class was great to watch and a few minor mistakes affected the scores and there is no question that there is room for changes in placing’s in the next test for these riders.

The Advanced test was a strong class indeed and the atmosphere affected a few for sure including Sky Diamond a big bay stallion for Brett Parbery who chose to retire.  The winner was the already talented and successful combination of Bradgate Park Puccini and Michelle Baker for a score of 69.53%. A highlight in the medium and extended paces this combination show a great balance between power and balance and suppleness gaining an 8 for riding and 7.5 for submission. In second place was Springfield Passion Hit a hot expressive bay mare by Smash Hit and ridden by Nina Boyd. This mare can be really hot and has been a challenge but always had the talent, it was a matter of patience and time and its all starting to pay of and for sure the trot work is a real highlight. A good score of 68.86%. In third was Jaybee Cavalier and Justine Greer who had a very successful CDI in Brisbane recently and a very consistent test for Justine and a deserving placing. In 4th place again Nina Boyd riding Schacco IV a brown gelding by Swarovski with a percentage of 66.9%. In 5th pace was a tie between Valhalla Romeo ridden by Stephanie Langier and Frantonio another import for Petra Lee from Victoria. A great class and the footing in the indoor gave every chance for the better scores.

The venue looks fantastic with fabulous weather and many sipping champagne and eating oysters whilst others enjoying chocolate from the home made chocolate store and shopping in the trade stands.
The Grand Prix CDI saw DP Welmeiser first out for Brett Parbery and as we have come to expect and wonderfully harmonious test indeed and they combination show a great rapport. A score of 68.92% was perhaps not quite the one Brett was hoping for, but one thing is for sure is that this combination are so consistent and make the work look easy. Perhaps for the bigger marks there could be a little more expression and energy in the piaffe and passage as this is where marks are seriously gained.

Adonie and Rozzie Ryan put a great test together and a good score of 67.52% A halt at X before the final piaffe own the centre line was costly but some expressive passage and the piaffe gaining strength with every start and the transitions better as well. Still in the canter pirouettes a more uphill feeling but well balanced and centered. This lovely mare improves every outing and Rozzie rides her with a seriously harmonious understanding.

CP Dresden for Alycia Targa made a good test and the piaffe and passage and the transitions in and out are becoming seamless now and the marks overall are on the increase. Alycia rides with plenty of steam and this little horse by Damsey dances his way through the entire test trying his hardest in every movement.

Kate Farrell rode a correct test on the Londonderry gelding Luxor118 and as always very expressive in the extended work. A correct test with consistency and balance and Kate enjoying every moment and its the constant balance and harmony that dressage at this level needs to show and they certainly do just that with a 68.48%.

The next horse in to the wonderful Willinga arena was Aristide and Shannan Goodwin from Mullinbinbi in NSW. This big bay horse by Archimedes is a toper through and through, and despite his size he always gives a great feeling of self carriage and ease to make the movements look effortless.  It’s a great combination of power and carrying and pushing capacity with a lightness and self carriage. Shannan sits so still with a long and elegant position with absolutely no fuss. Could this be the dark horse for the Aussie team. There is no question that improvement over the last twelve months has been exceptional. This horse has become so much better balanced and gives a great uphill feeling now and the confidence and expression is better and better and he certainly is a great workman and has a great character. Watch this space!

Midfield Dominique for Glenda de Wit scoring a 68% and another horse that is really improving and a great performance and again gaining better balance and the ability to carry the weight now make a good uphill impression.

Royal Oak II and Deon Stokes also improved a lot and gained a 68.3%. Perhaps there are more marks lurking for this pair in the piaffe and passage tour where the piaffe sometimes looses balance and the steps not always the same.

Don Rubin was the first after the break for Susan Elekessy. It was a fluent test but at times the neck a little compressed and the nose a little behind the vertical for the bigger marks but all the same a fair score of 66.08%.

Remmington and Sue Hearn handed in a consistent test. This horse represented Australia at the Rio Olympics and now back here campaigning again. Remmington has always found the sequence changes a little complicated and despite his experience he still managed to make a mistake in the two tempos but redeemed himself with a clean line in the one tempos. She made a great score of 70.82% and a whacking score of 73.10 from Charlotte Bridal from USA. Some 8s for the piaffe and passage and the transitions made up for the 5.0s for the two tempi mistake. Sue will be very pleased with their effort.

Ferrero Chocolate Box and Sheridan Ashwood put together a tidy test for a 66.98%. This combination too gaining confidence and balance.  The great surfaces here, help every horses’ performance when the going is so consistent and the footing firm but springy and with no thought of a slipping step.
Brentannus for Victoria Welch handed in a fluent test on this enormous chestnut but at times the gelding gets a little slow in tempo in some of the work and lacks a really sharpness for the bigger marks. They scored of 66.24%.

Next was Robbie McKinnon and Robali Razzamatazz and always a super expressive horse and Robbie as elegant in the saddle as ever but today Razz was a little off his game and a little on a beach holiday.  All the same, seen fabulous work but not as sharp as we have come to see and a mistake in this dreaded one tempi changes where Razz seems to make a competition with himself as to how high he can get of the ground and then cant get the quickness forth next one. Some fabulous passage and a mark of 67.04%

Jarrah R for Rozzie Ryan gave his all and again some fabulous piaffe and passage but the trot work lacks the cadence and air time for the bigger marks. All the same a great test and fabulous marks for such accurate riding being especially rewarded by Mary Seefried giving them a 70.5% to have them in equal first with Aristide. An overall 68.68% for Rozzie and getting better and better.

The last horse was PPH Zeppelin for Brett Parbery and Brett didn't have the best ride as Zeppelin became quite tense and strong and mistakes crept in which was a shame as this horse showed some great moments but not today.
So the placings were Remington then Aristide, DP Weltmeiser 3rd, Jarrah R  4th.

The Prix St George sponsored by Kelato was a great class and another win to Bradgate Puccini for Michelle Baker on 71.95%. A test that showed plenty of expression and great expression especially in the extended paces and not only that but Michelle presents Puccini for every movement with great preparation.

Then last to go in the test was Brett Parbery on the chestnut Mi Certainly Sir owned by Julie Farrell A really good test for a 71.03% and as always the harmony factor with Brett and this horse was good as ever, despite a few moments of tension and that was enough to put them in to second.

Third to the Queenslander Tor Van Den Berge, a Carbine gelding that is also improving a lot at each outing and this expressive horse is starting to find a better balance.  The Queensland judge having then in 1st place.

Next was the buckskin pony Cheval de Luxe for Sara Price with a score of 69.16% and what a smashing pony with plenty of wow factor. David Mckinnon was 5th and then Springfield Passion Hit for Nina Boyd 6th. Remi Beezelbub for Jessica Robinson handing a mistake free flowing test for a 67.97% and into 7th place then in 8th Bloomers Simply The Best for Gordon Pratt from NSW. The bay stallion scoring 67.18.

The judging in this class did see a few differences of opinion but that’s dressage and that is why there are five judges as all their individual positions lend themselves to different views of every movement and so differing scores.1st to 15th !! and 7th to 18th but all the same a good class and close competition and good for the future of the sport, as these horses will soon be in the grand prix ranks.
A fabulous days events and not to mention the amazing venue hosting the first CDI for Willinga and may there be many many more.

Click here to view results from Willinga Park Dressage by the Sea.

Click here to view the photos from the first day.

Roger Fitzhardinge reporting for Equestrian Life

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