Mary Hanna and Hamag W Stroma second in the Inter II
Photo credit: Roger Fitzhardinge
 

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By Roger Fitzhardinge

 

Birds Equisports Dressage With Altitude is done and dusted for 2015. In its seventh year it has become quite the show to be seen at. You may ask why? And there are many reasons. 

 

Firstly, ask any dressage rider what their primary consideration is in choosing a show to go to and they will invariably tell you good surfaces.

 

Bradgate Park has a wonderful indoor arena with an international standard surface, which John Healey saw in Europe, imported the geo-pat and components and put it together himself. It needs no water as it’s a waxed surface and this year better than ever. It's not just about the surface but also about its preparation, and John Healey, who owns Bradgate Park, is a fanatic when it comes to the arenas preparation. The blades he uses to groom the surface are self designed and do an amazing job. The surface is also rolled from time to time and always an absolute delight to ride upon. There is a 60x20 outdoor arena that is coarse sand and always level and watered. Then there is a huge outdoor grasses area next to the indoor that holds up well in any weather conditions. There is a large covered round yard arena next to the indoor where everyone spends the final five minutes, as it is the same surface as the competition arena. 

 

The committee that runs DWA are very rider friendly and there is always plenty of time and opportunity given for warm up and familiarisation. This surface and friendly arena avails itself to great competition and of course the best chance for getting a good test and good marks, as was proven by Mary Hanna with Umbro who scored a new Australian record percentage for a Grand Prix Freestyle. Umbro and Mary stole the record that was set in 2004 by Ricky MacMillan and Crisp and ironically Ricky was a member of the ground jury that gave Mary and her Jazz gelding the 75.95%. This record was a serious highlight for the show and after a Grand Prix of 72.52% it was obvious that Mary was heading in the right direction.

 

When it comes to why riders go there to compete, next on the list would be stabling. At this show, there are very beautiful permanent stables at the end of the indoor (which are reserved for the FEI horses) and then there are several banks of portable stables that are dotted about and very safe and horse friendly. There were over 100 horses stabled and everyone was happy. To make it even nicer, there are plenty of shavings already in the box when you arrive, and even better when you leave, the boxes need not to be cleaned out as that’s included in the entry fee. There is a great indoor wash and two outdoor hose bays. Plenty of areas for horses to get a green pick and any problems that you encounter were dealt with professionally and in a friendly way by all, especially Mark Egan the stable manager, who was always there to lend a hand. Even helping get people's trucks sorted so they were level and with power. It all seemed so easy.  

 

The grooms also were rewarded with $500, $300 and $200 prize money for the grooms award and this year it went Annette Lowe who grooms for the Farrells. She is a tireless worker and not only are the horses presented immaculately but their stables and equipment always pristine. Second went to Rosie Sutherland who groomed for Robynne Smith from Scone and third went to Ben Terry who was helping Lizzie Wilson-Fellows. This great acknowledgement was judged by the stable manager who was always around and sponsored by Moira Kelly of Darlington stud. Moira is an ardent fan of dressage and always at the forefront of the sport realising where the engine room really is! It was a generous sponsorship and for well deserving people.

 

Riders, after they have sorted their horses, will think to themselves about the variety of accommodation available; from truck and float sites on the property near the stables, to many B&Bs around the picturesque Orange countryside, or the choice of good hotels in the centre of Orange, to flash accommodation at wineries, all within easy access to the competition. Did someone say food? Well the restaurants and cafes in Orange are sensational with a diversity of enormous proportions that would suit anyone's taste and wallet. The competition did not go long enough to try them all but it was an eating experience, and whilst talking of eating experiences, it was Edweena Mitchels catering on the grounds that really made for happy riders and a great ambience. The coffee was great, as well as the breakfast rolls, lunch snacks of chicken sandwiches with home made aioli, the chicken and basil pasta, the fabulous steak sandwiches, homemade chocolate mousse, fresh fruit or a cheese platter. The cafe area was a meeting place under the eaves of the indoor and stables and many an hour was spent sipping coffee and chatting. The upstairs area that overlooked the indoor arena had tiered seating and raised areas so viewing was easy. There was a monitor in the lounge area behind the seating that showed the tests live and a bar that hosted many a happy hour, which was where the presentations took place. In the lounge area there were lounge chairs and lounges, which was a great area to relax in. Live scoring screens really made the area a place to congregate and it had such a great atmosphere. The best thing about only one arena is the fact that you didn't have to move and you didn't miss anyone! It worked so well.

 

The classes started very early and went until late. What was so apparent was the standard was extremely high with little tail. There was no obvious winner when reading the form which made for really interesting viewing. First and foremost was that riders had to work out a strategy to win the judges over and it was obvious that primarily a clean test was required. The tests had to look easy and harmonious and then there were those who could puff the work up so it looked expressive but still easy and confident. A mistake in one movement, no matter how flash the rest of the test, and down the placings they went.

The percentages were high and again it was the international judges who as a whole were more generous and were extremely complimentary, especially the French judge, Jean-Michel Roudier. He was over the moon with the standard and the quality of the horses with the top ten in the 2.1 gaining over 70%. He made comment that the top half of the field was equal to any young horse competition in Europe and that the novice competition was a great way to present the young horse and was very enthusiastic with the whole competition.

 

The Freestyles all day on Saturday were such a pleasure to sit and enjoy, not forgetting the Grand Prix, where so many riders scored over 70% which is very exciting for our country. The small tour full of good horses, which was backed up by the Advanced classes were also very good, not to mention the amazing Novice horses.

 

The sport of dressage is coming of age in Australia, certainly now because the marks and confidence within the judges will be more pronounced after a good showing and positivity from the international judges.

 

Birds Equisports Dressage with Altitude is just one of those shows that brings out the best in the dressage fraternity. It is a friendly and wonderful CDI that has developed from a small show to now be one of the most prestigious in the country. The committee has no intention of competing for any accolades other than to look after the riders and produce a competition that brings the best possible performances, to which they have done. This is what makes them feel they have achieved their goals. Viva Bradgate Park and especially to Bev and John Healey who avail their beautiful facility to everyone, who some how feel they are a real part of it and it's sort of like their own. Without the generosity given to the event by the Healeys, there would be no CDI in Orange. May it continue.

 

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