Days Three and Four - 2013 ThinLine Dressage with Altitude CDI 3*

by Roger Fitzhardinge for Equestrian Life

With Saturday came yet another perfect day of weather. The morning brisk and sunny and as the day went on it was a balmy mid twenties day. A great breakfast at Edweena Mitchell's food bar, a delicious coffee and then to the indoor to watch all the Small and Big Tour warm ups for the freestyles that started that afternoon. It went all to time and so rider friendly with the practices starting at a very civilized 8am! Which allowed a very casual start to the day. This friendly and casual approach put everyone at ease, and in turn produced great work the horses that were relaxed and happy. 

From left to right: Trevor Klein, Edweena Mitchell and Cathie Durie-Klein ©Roger Fitzhardinge

The day kicked off with the AusWest Seeds Advanced 5B and saw a unanimous win for Lisa Martin and the Royal Diamond grey gelding, In Time with a 68.9% test. The trot very flashy but can sometimes be a little hollow with hind legs not really carrying. The changes still in early stages and some tension and lack of ease spoiled the really big marks. 

Lisa Martin and In Time ©Roger Fitzhardinge

A second place to Rodney Martin and SS Sonata Hit on 67.3%, a poor rein back and a big mistake in a flying change plus an error of course really was plenty of reason to be second, as some of the work was truly international. 

Rodney Martin and SS Sonata Hit ©Roger Fitzhardinge

Third place in their second competition at Advanced was the ever consistent Virtuel 1 and Denise Rogan. In the canter work this powerful bay by Rituel, became a little rolled over and keen in the changes. When he learns to carry the weight better in the canter, his expression will be wonderful. It’s only a matter of time, patience and dedication to the basics that will see this through and for sure Denise will pay attention to all three.

Denise Rogan and Virtuel I ©Roger Fitzhardinge

The second class for the day was the Gidgee Eyes CDI -Y Freestyle and it was a win to the very happy and smiling Katharine Farrell and the upstanding bright chestnut Luxor 118. Despite missing the odd movement, the test was executed very well and a 62.5% put them just ahead of Mayfield Miracle and Victoria Stuckey with a 61.6%. This combination is doing very well, and an unfortunate spook at the beginning of the test saw tension held throughout. The class this year was small and it was a shame that there were only two in the class.

Katharine Farrell and Luxor 118 ©Roger Fitzhardinge

Next on the agenda was the Edinburgh Horse Rugs Advanced Freestyle and trust Megan Bryant to sneak up on them all and steal the win away on the inexperienced Jive Magic gelding Mr Jackson (Janet to his friends)! Megan never let's a chance go by and a simple and correctly choreographed test with this impressive tall elegant brown horse, saw a really impressive test and they finished on 66%. Breanna Tillitzki pulled in a second with the beautiful stallion Fiji R finishing with 65.45%. Breanna always has impressive music and is no doubt inspired by Rozzie Ryan who was around at this show to lend a hand. Rozzie is a true supporter and I do have to say that after ignoring her advice, Heath got lost several times in the process of maneuvering around many freestyles!

Megan Bryant and Mr Jackson ©Roger Fitzhardinge

Third in the Advanced Freestyle was another from the Ryans’ stables was Jasper R for the gorgeous Cornelia O’Mahony, only a mere 0.4 behind her friend Bree. Rounding out the top four was Denise Rogan and Virtuel I with 63.83%.

Cornelia enters the indoor ©Roger Fitzhardinge

It was then in to the Prydes Easy Feeds Inter I Freestyle and what a close class it was indeed with some good horses! It looked like it was all going to be about who was going to impress with great music and who was going to make the least amount of mistakes. 

The pressure was on and from the moment the obvious standout Brett Parbery and DP Weltmeiser entered the ring, there was silence and a feeling of “no one move” as Rabbit (as he is known) was going to give the Freestyle a whole new meaning!!!

And it was all looking fantastic until he unfortunately lost it in the tempi changes and just became way to exuberant for poor Brett to contain. The trot tour was expressive and flamboyant but it all became too much and Rabbit showed what many Weltmeyers can ... hey c'mon let's do this in the most explosive way ... And then got offended when told, “not so much”. Poor Brett did all he could to defuse the stallion, including using the short side to let him deep and round but to no avail, the blood was up and that was all there was to it.  So it was an opening for the evergreen Heath Ryan and Johnny Depp who in the end blitzed them to win a strong class on a big score of 69.7%.

It was one of those classes where the judges were obviously looking at all different things. Rebecca Walshe would have been left wondering, as her horse Stylist was first with the Swedish judge and then tenth with the New Zealander. Eighth with the Queenslander and third with the American ... Take your pick but an overall second and then in third was Ferrero Rocher and Amanda Shoobridge a 2,3,7,10 so again take your pick!!!! Next in fourth was Megan Bryant and Donna Bella with a 65.7% and a more even spread. Fifth went to MOI and the wonderful Wisdom, who despite his nearly 21 years of age thought he was at the World Cup Small Tour final and was wonderful except for a mess in the three tempi changes. And yes you guessed it, all the nationalities spotted it and a score of three for the threes!!! It was unanimous, so as it goes if you are going to make a mess do it well. I had a great time and my horse was wonderful! He thinks that he does most of the test as I want it and that he should have some input ... It ain't helpful haha :)

And so everyone was ready for the Grand Prix Freestyle but firstly just to wet the appetite was the CDN. A super, super win to the "most beautiful horse" Rodrigo III and Gina Montgomery and she was over the moon. Ringo was as always BEAUTIFUL and swanned around with that look at me appeal. Gina rode a great test, with good passage and half passes. He did however choose to take over the action in one pirouette adding his own take, but it was a truly wonderful performance. The music was fun and with great rhythm a deserving winner and what a good percentage of 65.6%. 

Gina Montgomery warms up "Ringo" ©Roger Fitzhardinge

Second went to Robyne Smith on the very inexperienced KS Beauchamp who simply improved with every start. Robyne made it all look easy and as yet the passage and piaffe tour not totally their strong suit, but showing promise and some great moments. Third to Waca W for Alexis Hellyer and again simply great at this moment and although the passage and piaffe tour not established as yet, it shows great promise. Heath riding Utopian Cardinal, forgot a few movements missing the half pass canter left AND right that really messed up the scores leaving him in fourth with 59.8%, and I am sure that Rozzie will still be stewing over this!

I still think however even with a score for the missed movements Rodrigo III would have come out on top. It was an inspiring test and even Maree Tomkinson who has leased the Rotspon gelding old, was excited for the most beautiful horse and Gina.

By this time the mezzanine seating was full and the food wonderful as was the wine the ambience and the camaraderie. A big screen which was connected to the EQ Life Live TV Stream camera provided those with an obscured view a close look at the action.

The Jilli Cobcroft Grand Prix Freestyle was such a great class, with a deserved win to Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi and a unanimous one at that. It was calm and smooth and not hectic. It was very correct but for a mistake in the one tempis, and the music is so fun, entertaining, bright and breezy and above all great in keeping with the horse. Heath had to win there was no question and so he did with 72.32%!

Susie Hoevenaars and Jill Cobcroft ©Roger Fitzhardinge

Second and nearly four percent behind on 68.9% was Prestige VDL and Sheridyn Ashwood. A safely ridden test with a little caution produced a freestyle that just left you wishing for more. Third with a total of 68.52% was Dr Kerry Mack and the still improving Mayfield Pzazz. Kerry rode to newish music and the test was full of promise but for a few minor mistakes spoiling the overall balance of the test. 

For me the outstanding achiever was Mark Arthur and Kooinda Saint and it was such a professional ride. This combination made a freestyle that looked as if they had performed it many times. It was confident and mistake free but believe it or not it was the first freestyle that Mark has ever done! I was blown away with this test, a half pass in passage to start for a first time Grand Prix freestyle is so brave and it worked. With not a single mistake it was a super test indeed and for a first ever and only his third Grand Prix I say - look out!

Winners of the GP Freestyle Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi ©Roger Fitzhardinge

The entertainment was hilarious, with a hula-hoop competition that even saw 5 Star Judge Gustavo Swalling right in to it! There was a get together of all Judges, Riders and Grooms, Owners and Sponsors in a fun evening after the competition and I am led to believe that some did not get to bed before 4am despite having long drives home the next day with dairy cattle to attend! 

Swedish judge Gustaf Svalling got in on the hula hoop action! ©Roger Fitzhardinge

But of course all was well and the final day on Sunday was Novice day, with a huge class of 25 horses showing wonderful quality (21 receiving over 61%!!!) Before the Novice there was the Grand Prix Special and a table turn for Prestige VDL and Sheridyn Ashwood. A cracking test with no mistakes with a far more positive way here saw a unanimous result and a win with 68.52%. Heath Ryan aboard Regardez Moi came a close second on 67.23%, riding the trot and passage tour so well. A little more gas than in the Grand Prix but unfortunately this did not help the canter work and Fabio as he is known, was a little lit up so the canter became tense and a little short and some mistakes. Third to Kerry Mack and Pzazz on 65.42%, with not such a good piaffe that was not uphill enough but very good passage that was airy and expressive with plenty of lift and ground cover. 

Sue Hearn and Remington deserved to be fourth and I think this is a real star for the future and a great finish for them with some really good work showing all techniques in all the movements for the future, a total of 62.54%.

Back to the Novice and talking about the future there were a lot of great horses here. It was Rodney Martin and SS Dante who went Champion with a win (74.62%) and a second (71.27%). Lisa Martin and the imported mare First Famous received a first (72.88%) and a third (70.67%). They were great tests that were consistent and easy. This mare, like Lisa’s grey, has great flashy trot but the canter needs to be better over the back to develop better swing and fluency but boy what a horse. Third overall was myself and Amerigo. Not so far behind the leaders, we finished with a 69.14% and a 70.3%. I have to say I had two good rides, but a little safe with no mistakes and simply need to really start to get a little more impulsion and flare in Amerigo’s work.

There were many great tests here and Judge Anne Gribbons stated that the first 6 horses were all very good, with a lot of potential for the future. That they all showed good training at this level and were all ready to progress in such a good and positive way. 

Kerry Mack had a great second test with the leggy chestnut Mayfield Limelight. Unfortunately in the first he was disturbed by the crowd and the atmosphere at one end of the arena but a very good horse for the future.

David Shoobridge did not have such a great day with the black stallion Smash Hit. Despite some great moments, there was a lack of continuity and softness to the bridle cost him dearly. Results for this combination were 10th with 65.71% and 6th with 67.93%.

Nadia Coghlan and Fiderdanz were also in the mix but a few resistances in some moments were enough to lose important marks. A 9th with 66.87% and 5th with 68.24%.

Bradgate Park Reggae and Rachelle Hirst certainly had the crowd talking when this gelding received some marks that were all over the place, a 77.42% and 66.52% in the same test!

Judges have different things that are import to them in Novice horses and there is often discrepancies here at this level and that's what makes for interest and discussion. 

Denise Rogan was consistent with an eight and a seventh with the pretty headed Just One Wish. This horse is a real baby and a few mistakes put her down the list but a horse for the future also.

$1000 up for grabs donated by Bev and John Heally for the most improved, and up and coming rider which was voted on by all the Big Tour riders. Rodney Martin won this accolade as well as the Novice and Advanced Champion! Owner of the Novice winner in Andrea Beatty won the raffle, we think it was some coup from this group! However they didn’t take out everything, with the Ryans’ grooms winning the Hoola Hoo competition!!!!

So the competition has ended and sadly the dressage family split and all went home their own ways. But one thing is for sure they are all -

Wiser

Happier 

More experienced

Enthused to do better

Feeling good about their progress

And above all

Had a great time amongst friends and good people who know how to run a super competitor friendly and horse friendly event.

Well done the Heallys’.

Well done Dressage With Altitude.

Well done the CWD committee.

Well done the competitors grooms and sponsors and owners.

Well done DRESSAGE!

We all look forward to next year where we will meet again at this wonderful venue for a fun and competitive weekend.

I think also a special thanks to the judges, who were all too willing to be integrating in to the competitive side of the competition and really being so rider friendly open and transparent and totally on the riders sides and helpful. They sat and talked through the tests with the riders whilst they re-played on the big screen and explained where marks were lost and gained.

It was simply a GREAT competition and I can’t wait to be back next year. 

Please see the Gallery page for photographs and visit the Results page for results.