© Roger Fitzhardinge

Riders, owners, grooms, officials, judges and visitors to Willinga Park are simply walking around the venue in their own world, oblivious to anyone else and enjoying their own view of the Terry Snow inspired equestrian venue that is simply incredible. It is an amazing feat to hear the grooms mentioning the amazing wash bays and the concealed power points not to mention the automatic waterers and the permanent feeders! The riders praising the ebb and flow surfaces and the availability to warm ups arenas. The owners are enjoying the seating areas and the fabulous gardens and friendly and encouraging attitude by all. Seeing their beloved horses in stables that are huge and luxurious with soft rubber flooring in every single one. For the officials the friendly and welcoming attitude sets the scene and the ease to see riders and grooms and trainers all working with a smile on their faces as the whole venue and surrounds simply weave together to produce a facility that is totally rounded and pulls every facet together.  

Every person who is here is simply gob smacked with the attention to detail. Words like brilliant, amazing, jaw dropping, awesome, overawed, stunning, unbelievable, incredible, joyful are being use around.

Talking to any person on the venue they are simply stunned by the attention to details and attention to the well being of the performance horse and all that goes with this.

Today saw the arenas all open for familiarization and the weather was sunny and warm but the morning was exceedingly breezy to say the least. The attitude was friendly and positive and on talking to the riders they were proud to feel privileged to be able to ride at such a beautiful venue that has been produced for their benefit and they do feel humbled yet inspired to ride even better than ever.

The afternoon saw the trot up for the Junior, Under 25, Young Rider and the CDI. 26 horses trotted up and all were passed
The first day of the competition sees the Grand prix National and CDI and the Young Rider CDI and Junior CDI and under 25 CDI. Also the Prix St George and Advanced and the two arenas will be the main outdoor arena and the Indoor.
What a great day of competition and the last horses will go at 5.30pm after an 8.30 start. There is plenty of action as well as a great trade village and fabulous food and coffee. There is also live scoring at Snafflebytes for those who cant make it to see the tests in the real but are keen to follow the scores.
its quite a show and everything is ready for the big day.  May the show begin.

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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