© Roger Fitzhardinge

The Grand Prix special saw a good field of nine horses and the horse to beat was Regardez Moi for Heath Ryan. Regardez Moi made the job look easy and a score of 67.56 with great pirouettes and an unfortunate mistake in the one tempis on the diagonal yet the ones on the centreline were probably the best he has put together. He wasn't in the lead for long as Brett Parbery came in on Weltmeiser looking on fire. A great frame and the best piaffe he has made in the arena to date saw this combination get a score of 68.33 and was first with three of the five judges. A mistake after the second pirouette when they came out on the incorrect lead was a loss of marks. The two black horses look very confirmed and confidently ridden and the scows close indeed.

Utopian Cardinal on 66.39 for Heath was third and also a great job with easy trot half passes and pirouettes but still needing to sit a little more in the collected paces. In fourth was Sheer Etiquette and Susan Paix has had a great weekend her at the NAB supported Boneo Classic and there is no question that this pair continue to develop in a more improved  engaged horse with a more uphill and rounder frame improve and steeled contact and self carriage in the piaffe.

It is good to see that the tests within the Big Tour have been solid and consistent. All combinations making few mistakes and all really owning the tests now with horses that are really on the job exceeding confidence and freedom within the tests. It's a pleasure to watch each and every one of them.

By Roger Fitzhardinge