Terry Snow and Shannan Goodwin © Roger Fitzhardinge

Willinga Park at dawn is even more spectacular, it truly is an amazing venue.It has something for everyone, whether it be dressage with the wonderful areas or around the bridle paths, the water features and lakes and ponds, the ferns and the landscaping. Try a walk through the amazing gardens and view the diverse sculptures and sit and take in the dramatic views and the environmentally friendly ambience of the property. From the copper roofing of the incredible sand stone retaining walls, the 1.8 kilometers of Australian timber ceiling boards, or the timber tables and seating, or the stainless steel railings, the list goes on and on. Most of the natural materials used are taken from the property itself.

This property has been invited to the world architectural festival to be held in Berlin in November.  This is an amazing accolade. When you come to Willinga Park to see the wonder of its structure, you too will realise its beauty. The category that Willinga Park is invited is in the sporting and landscape section, with seven other invited architectural beauties from around the world. That simply speaks volumes for the enormity and beauty of Willinga Park.

For those of you that are thinking of coming up, the next stage will see more stables, laundry, kitchen and dining facilities as well as a conference center and more cabins. To top it off a swimming pool! Terry Snow is a progressive thinker who has a vision and will make this happen. His generosity is for the benefit of equestrian sports. For the dressage fraternity its wonderful to say the least and the standard here has been uplifted and there is no question that the wonderful surroundings and the beautiful facilities and arenas makes every rider feel at ease and so professional and riding accordingly.

The first class was the CDI Young Riders Freestyle and a win to the very chatty Tanisha Ryan and the bay mare Quizzical and a great test to score 70.81%. Tanisha managed to get her aids organised and I guess she didn't do canter from walk so all good (lol) and a great score and well ridden and presented test with equally artistic music and choreography but it would have been great to hear Tannish break in to some song but perhaps next time !!.
In second was Tally Ho Something Saintly for Sienna Hawkins and a score of 69.31%. These two have battled it out all weekend and it was great to see. Third was MW Rotsong, 68% for Sarah Farraway and a super job getting closer and closer to the leaders as the show goes on. Sarah was also fourth with her second ride GV Ryans Rave with a score of 66.18%. Again great sponsorship from Shepherds Electrical.  The sponsors here have been from the family of builders and have all helped in putting Willinga Park together. They are all like family and Terry is only too quick to praise them as there attention to detail is what makes the property so great and thanks to them for their sponsorship.

The Inter I Freestyle saw sponsored by Bucas Rugs. Gordon Pratt and Bloomers Simply the Best put in a blinder of a test and the tempi changes that he has struggled with in the two other tests all came together here at the right time and a score of 72.99% saw him take the early lead.
Remi Beezelbub and Jessica to go in to second with a 73.28% and what a good fluent test with curving lines for correct tempi changes. The final horse into the arena was Fusten Hit for Breeana Tillitzki.  It was Gordon who held on to his lead and crowned the winner of the class. Jessica was second on Beezelbub and third to Furstin Hit with a 71.57% test and so close in the first three placings and then Tor and Cougar V by Carbine with a score of 70.38%. A really good quality and close freestyle class.

In the Novice 2,2 it was the impressive Bradgate Donovan ridden by David Mckinnon wining on 73.9% in the Shoreline Constructions sponsored class. In second was Freestyle MS for Linda Foster and this big solid bold mover with a 71.95% and in third Justin Worthy and Wisteria on 70.52%. A class full of great horses and gaining experience as the arena was the wonderful indoor.

The Grand Prix CDN test started off with a bang with Rozzie Ryan and Adonis handing in a blinder of a test and scoring a fabulously deserved 70.35% and then to keep it keen and interesting Brett Parbery next out on the huge PPH Zeppelin score a 67.015% and looks like the venue and the ambience of the champagne sipping crowd and the glorious weather has taken its effect and the marks positive and realistic for great riding and work. The last horse before the interval was Ferrero Chocolate Box and Sheridan Ashwood and another over 70% to go in to the lead so already 3 scores over 70% what an amazing competition is unfolding and being in reverse type order there are about to be even bigger scores on the way.

Alycia Targa and the Jane Bruce owned Dresden handed in such a fabulous performance with two tempos on a cycle and one tempos to double pirouettes and then one tempos all on a circle. This horses’ piaffe and passage has improved so much and the transitions seamless a great performance and great music.

Remington feeling a little pressure during their test and a few mistakes and a couple a decent spokes and into second place with 71.55%.

What an amazing end to this competition with Aristide and Shannan Goodwin nailing her freestyle test to gain a fantastic score of 74.35% and what a blast for everyone it was great and Shannan rode a faultless test and well deserved scores.

Brett Parbery rode a very confident test on DP Weltmeiswr and he always gives a great impression with his steady and balanced position and making it all look so smooth and easy, a great score of  of 74.15% to be second. Rozzie Ryan and Jarrah R went around their smoothly choreographed test with harmonious music as always from Rozzie and a fabulous score of 73.03% to be equal with the fabulous performance of Alycia Targa and Dresden. In 5th place was Remington and Sue Hearn. He wasn’t really on song today, with a few spooks and some tension in his work but also some really nice sections but it just lacked the collection and confidence that we have come to see.

The last horse to go in the Capricorn sponsored test was Katherine Farrel and Luxor 118 for a score of 71.10% A few minor glitches was enough in this tightly packed field to slip down the ranks but all the same a great score and well done.

So of all the freestyles held in Australia this is the greatest, as the top 9 horses all scored over 70%. That is a wonderful achievement and there is no question that the amazing facility, grounds surfaces, ambience and relaxed friendly and professional atmosphere contributed to the extra spark and polish to the riders and tests

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

Click here to view the photos from the final day.

Click here to view all the photos

Roger Fitzhardinge reporting for Equestrian Life

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