So it's on with one of the best CDI’s of the year. The rain did not deter the competitors nor the spectators. With a new fantastic Showjumping grass arena the complex just gets better and better.

There is much interest in the para competitions and a few new faces with Lisa Martin and her wonderful mare Furst Famous winning both the grade four tests with mid seventies which would put them right up there in the rest of the world. Wonderful Emma Booth scoring a 76% to win the grade II and Joanne Formosa winning the grade 1b with GB Winchester with mid seventies and Sharon Jarvis winning the grade 3 tests with a 72% and 73%. There were in fact nine scores over 70%..

The para freestyles were really quite fantastic and the most impressive indeed that made everyone sit up and look not to mention making the hair on the back of your neck stand up but the awesome attitude Emma Booth has. Emma was a top event rider when on the way home from an Albury event with horses in the float, was side swiped by a truck that jackknifed and both horses were killed and  Emma had terrible injuries and the most major and lasting one is that she is a paraplegic at L2 and will never walk again. Emma has searched the world for a competitive horse for her and as luck would have it the horse she has now was fifteen minutes away from her home. Mogelvangs Zidane, imported, was owned by Petra Lee had been competing at Prix St George with Petra. Emma is now the owner and this is her first  competition and it was truly remarkable. Her freestyle again judged by the international panel scored 79.000% and this score at this time leading in to the Para Olympics would possibly get a gold medal on current rankings around the world of the current leaders in the grade.

When you look at the scores at the last Olympics our para riders are really on track for medals at the upcoming games in Rio. It's is a very exciting time for the sport and seriously good riding and the scores are also given here by international judges Marco Orsini who is on the ground jury for Rio as is the other international Alison King judges. These marks are going to put them in the very top in the world and for the equestrian sports within Australia this is seriously exciting. With one more qualifier for the Paras at the Sydney CDI and they need two scores above 67% for the EA selection criteria. Then they can still qualify as the squad will then continue at CPDI competitions in Europe where the athletes will be based in Holland. It's only 223 days to the games and 111 days until the team nomination, so it's hotting up as is the interest and excitement in the Paras amazing rise.  

Katie Umback and the imported elegant chestnut Gondskovlunds Marquis won the grade III freestyle with a 74.9% to edge out another very impressive performance from West Australian  Sharon Jarvis on Caesy, imported, with 73.083%  Katies test was fluent and impulsive. It was a very impressive performance. It must be remembered that the scores are absolutely as if able bodied ridden. The judging is totally on the horses performance and the scores would be as if scored in open international competition.

This morning saw a great win to David Shoobridge and the ever improving Agent de Jeu who scored 68% in the CDN Grand Prix A well presented test with no real mistakes.  

This big mover is looking more confident and settled and David not wanting to ride with so much power and the overall picture looking better and better.  Second to Susan Elekessy and Don Rubin on 64.62% and third to Heather Currie and Donnerblitz with a 64.1%. The class was held indoors and the weather cool and calm with some showers.

In the main outdoor arena was the Advanced 5.2 and a win here to the elegant brown stallion Don Dancier for Deon Stokes on 70.09% with Judith Smith on Der Beste was in second on 69.38% and then Brett Parbery on the imported big mare Fursten Friendship with 69.14%

This test was held outside and an impressive arena indeed with plenty of atmosphere helped by a few expressive in hand dressage horses and the odd prancing show jumper returning for the Showjumping arena behind the trade stands.

The standard is quite impressive and the atmosphere and presentation of this competition at Boneo as always is something special. Another year being sponsored by the National Australia Bank with a real interest in the sport.

In the Prix St George it was won by the imported chestnut Lorenso owned by the Farrell family with 69.1% and ridden by Brett Parbery. This horse has hardly had any match practice and was a little under ridden but wait till Brett puts the power in to this expressive horse. In second was Letizia and Georgia Haythorpe and a good test for this imported mare who is just starting to hit her straps again after a break in her training. They gained 66.9. Third was the imported spanish bred stallion Grandioso 66.19% ridden by Gill Rickard for owner Liza Carver. The class was ridden indoors and in fourth place was Mayfield Be Brave  for Victoria Stuckey who gained a 66.6% and then went and competed in the Showjumping. Quite a rider! A good class but not quite the depth that has been seen in the past.

So the Grand Prix test saw a great field of horses.  Great win to Maree Tomkinson with he wonderful and expressive mare Diamantina to score a 70.1%. The test was one of her best and not a mistake. The piaffe as good as we have seen. There is no question that the mare is now looser and the frame more out to the contact and regular and  expressive extensions. Maree was delighted with her performance and as with all Marees horses she was immaculately presented.

In second place was the bouncy and energetic little chestnut from New Zealand, Vom Feinsten ridden by the equally energetic and enthusiastic Julie Brougham. They scored a 68.72% and a very popular horse amongst all who watch. It is easy to see now that the crowd that are enthusiastic are well educated and appreciate good dressage. It's not only about the fancy steps but they seem now to appreciate the basic good and honest control and harmony between horse and rider.

In third and fourth place was Mary Hanns two imported horses Umbro and Boogie Woogie 6.

A whisker behind these two imports was Heath Ryan and the locally bred and trained Utopian Cardinal on 67.52 Cardinal by Regardez Moi did a good and even test. 6th was Remmington and Sue Hearn and then DP Weltmeiser. Brett is still a bit lame from a fall and an injured knee and at this level for sure it didn't help his plight. Weltmeiser could have shown a bit more expression but for sure he was not on full throttle with a few mistakes and as is very evident at this level a mistake is costly and when the scores from fourth to eighth was simply 1%!!!!!! Quite a competition and so without the mistake in the one  tempi changes it could have been up to fourth place!

There were a few horses that really handed in great tests. Kerry Mack and Pzzaz were great as was Kylie Ridell and Clive who really rode a good test with a horse who puts her to the test at any opportunity. It's all about communication and a great group of good riders doing their best on the horses they have under them. It's a sport that is not only a physical one but a sport that requires huge mental strength and control.

It was an amazing day despite the rain. The standard has improved out of sight and it's about time that the scores start to reflect this improvement.

Well done

By Roger Fitzhardinge for Equestrian Life