© Roger Fitzhardinge
Day two at Willinga Park and the morning started with the Flexible Fit Equestrian CDI Junior Individual test and Angus Fripp and Foxwood Remy were the winners with a score of 61.71%. The test was a little tense as the wind was howling and concentrating was not so easy. The changes were better today but still a few late behind and that will bring the scores down at this level.
In the Advanced 5.3 it was Bradgate Park Puccini and Michelle who came out early in the draw and a windy indoor didn't help concentration levels but a great ride with some seriously amazing extended trot and canter. A mistake in the flying change between the flying changes gained a few marks of 4 and despite that there make overall were great. 8s in the extended canter and good marks in the extended trot. It was a shame there wasn’t a few more bigger marks for the best moments, as you wonder what needs to be better to get a 10. If there are 3 more marks left after 7 and that’s the difference between 4 and 7 then it would be interesting to hear the reasons for taking the three marks off. Michelle was so pleased with Puccini’s efforts this morning in the conditions and for a sensitive and hot horse she was amazed how he came to her for help and was so fantastic in the arena. This is a great horse for the future.
Brett Parbery had a much better ride on the stallion Sky Diamond. This stallion is extremely impressive in the trot tour and some fantastic marks. On talking with Brett he was super happy with him today, as yesterday he was very upset by a disturbance in the crowd and spooking at one corner that he chose to retire, as he didn't want to end with a bad moment. So today he was so pleased that his decision yesterday, as he was good in the arena and only one small mistake in a change after an extension when he was distracted by the wind and leaves outside a score of 69.12% was impressive indeed and another horse green at this level and a star in the making for the future.
The black gelding by Regarded Moi and ridden by the diminutive Jessica Clark was seriously impressive as well. A big bold horse and so well presented for the test and Jessica rides with great forward desire and positivity and Remember Me makes it look easy and was pleasure to watch. Their marks were a bit apart for Jessica from 64.61% to 71.84%. This is a beautiful horse and has a heart of gold and really looks as if he wants to help and do the work. The placings are Puccini 1st, Sky Diamond 2nd, 3rd to Remember Me then came Jaybee Cavalier for Justine Greer on 67.19% then Springfield Passion Hit for Nina Boyd and sixth to Valhalla Romeo and Kaila Simms. Another win to Puccini, he is yet unbeaten here in three tests three wins!
In the Young rider class it was all Quizzical today and a great ride for Tanisha Ryan on the mare by Ritual the Weltmeyer stallion. A score of 69.30% was unanimously the winner with all judges and 3% ahead of yesterdays winner Something Saintly who scored 66.92% to be second just ahead of the Rotspon gelding MW Rotsong ridden by Sara Faraway and thanks to Belrock Equestrian for their sponsorship of this class.
The Grand Prix Special was sponsored by Group One and saw 10 horses front the five judges. This test is a test with plenty of transition from extended trot to passage and back as well as lots of one tempi changes. It’s long and mentally and physically taxing.
Rozzie Ryan was first out and Adonis seemed so at ease today despite the strong winds and distractions. The harmony better than ever and they were rewarded with a 68.63%. On looking at the individual marks the only fives in the test were a couple for the piaffe and but also some 6.5 for it as well. The mare still could sit a little more and they ended up in 3rd.
In 2nd was Remmington for Sue Hearn, and today a clean set of hooves in the two tempos and then a mistake in the ones also a little loss of balance in the extended paces but a good score all the same with 68.92%.
No surprise to see the new comer in Aristide and Shannan Godwin from Northern NSW. This fabulous horse made light of the test with the perfect mix of power and lightness. It is amazing that such a big powerful horse with so much strength stays so light in the rein. The horse is becoming better at every start and it is wonderful to see that correct training truly teaches a horse better balance and hence confidence to perform with lightness and an uphill way. The other great factor is that there is more improvement to come and there is not one movement in the repertoire of Grand Prix that this horse and rider show any glitches in. As I said yesterday WATCH THIS SPACE. A score of over 70% in 70.04 % was exciting for Shannan and a few tears of joy as she heard her score and deservedly so.
The under 25 grand prix was sponsored by JVS Masonry first to go was Celeste Amezdroz and a few mistakes in the changes which is not like them were expensive. A score of 58.53% was disappointing but it was one of those days and mistakes are so costly as minor as they are and probably next time no mistakes and many more percentage points. Second in was Northern Zanthus III for Charlotte Waterman and a good test for this combination and clear piaffe and passage. This horse looks great and Charlotte really has a handle on all the movements in this test not with Zanthus looking round and more collected as time goes on. They went on to win with a 62,84% the final horse in the test was Baylee Wow Wie RW ridden by Dimity Lourey. Dimity was a very active and seriously competitive rider as a junior and was perhaps one of the youngest Australian riders to ride Grand Prix when she trained with heath Ryan. She has had a break and the horse bug still flows in her veins and its great to see her back competing again. A score of 58.37% saw them in to third place.
The Intermediate I was a good class sponsored by Equestrian Life. Breanna Tillitzki was leading from go to wow! A score of 67.24%. This gelding by Furst Romancer is owned now by Josephine Gwynn and this combination have travelled a lot of late. A successful CDI in Brisbane a few months ago set them in good stead for this competition and this horse shows great expressive trot work and great changes with the quality now of the canter getting more engaged and quicker.
In 2nd was Cougar V for Tor Van den Berg with a 66.54% and again a horse with expressive trot work and the canter pirouettes are no getting better centered and balanced. In 3rd was Deltry Sorrento with Sophie Artup on board. A very nice style of brown mare by Regarded Moi and a good fluent test to score 66.27%. Then came the bold horse Remi Beelzebub for Jessica Robinson. A very elegant and well balanced rider showing good harmony and understanding of this Brentano II gelding. Fancy foot work in the trot and extended paces and the changes now consistent and balanced. A score of 66.23%. Next was Mr Fantasy for Justin Worthy on 66.10%. Charlotte Pederson from Victoria was 6th with Hill Cottage Jazmira a big bold bay mare by Jazz and relatively new to this FEI level and for sure a pleasing experience for this mare.
The Advanced freestyle was held in the main arena and it was a change of environment and instead of being indoors, the outside suits some and its also nice for the horse to be in the open spaces. It was Justine Greer and the Carbine gelding Jaybee Cavalier who stole the show and pushed Bradgate Park Puccinis run with Michelle Baker out of straight wins and into 2nd.
Justine scored 71.45% and Michelle on 71.19% so very very close but a win is a win and a very fluent test for Cavalier and well deserved.
In 3rd there was Neversfilde Kenya for Alycia Targa and a handsome score of 70.28% and a great way to finish the competition for this inexperienced horse who was not so relaxed in the indoor and the wind, so a good test to be 3rd.
BHM Spanish Love for Rebecca Walshe was 4th with 68.43 and then Shacco IV for Nina Boyd and sixth Valhalla Romeo. There were a few technical glitches with some riders technical mark and a slip up with the start of the music with Nina’s second ride Springfield passion Hit who became quite tense after the second start and Nina chose to retire and the mare walk sedately from the arena MARES!! A talent for sure and Nina has a lot of time for this one by Smash Hit out of the mare Patou who was a hot potato herself but talented as well.
It was a fantastic days' competition and a privilege to see Rozzie Ryan practicing her GP Freestyle for tomorrow.
We had a mounted freestyle presentation for the competitions at six o'clock followed by a Pizza night and a bar open for all. What an amazing day, what an amazing venue. You need to be here to absorb the incredible feeling amongst every person who comes into the magnificent Willinga Park and Dressage By The Sea. Tomorrow is the last day and it seems as if its come way too soon and many riders will not want to leave this amazing facility but it is for sure one of many amazing times and competitions to be had at this venue. Thanks Terry Snow!!!
Click here to view results from Willinga Park Dressage by the Sea.
Click here to view the photos from the second day.
Roger Fitzhardinge reporting for Equestrian Life
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