Lindsey Ware and Aristede won the Homes & Acreage Grand Prix Freestyle
© Boneo Park
By Equestrian Life
As beautiful horses and stylish riders danced their way through Freestyle tests on the final day of the Homes & Acreage 2021 Boneo Summer Dressage Championships, it was hard for anyone who watched on to feel anything but positive about the year ahead. For Victorians, who endured the longest Covid-19 lockdown of all Australian states and territories in 2020 – which limited their opportunities to ride and compete – it seemed fitting that the first major Victorian dressage event of 2021 would take place at the stunning Boneo Park in perfect, sunny conditions. Watching on, it was easy to forget that the 12 preceding months brought about challenges and cancellations, as riders produced polished performances despite so many having long breaks from the competition arena.
The Homes & Acreage Grand Prix Freestyle was a highlight. Lindsey Ware, at just 18 years of age, produced a bold, expressive yet accurate test with her 15-year-old gelding Aristede to music that complemented their style, scoring 74.408% to win the class. The young rider was clearly delighted with their performance, as were Australian dressage fans – this is no doubt an exciting combination for the future! Having purchased the Aachimedes gelding in late 2018 from Shannan Goodwin, who produced the horse to Grand Prix level and narrowly missed out on representing Australia at the 2018 WEG, Lindsey has spent 2 years developing her partnership with Aristede and will no doubt produce even more exciting scores as the pair continue their Grand Prix journey.
Pauline Carnovale and Captain Cooks placed second on 73.483%, capping off a great show with a mistake free, elegant test. Louise Curran was third on 69.400% riding Cil Dara Gandalf, who at 19 years of age shows no sign of slowing down, Kerry Mack was fourth riding Mayfield Limelight on 68.525%, and Heather Gee fifth riding KH Ambrose.
Three riders scored above 70% in the Complete Fire Supply Co Young Rider Freestyle; class winner Jessica Dertell produced a harmonious test with the elegant Eskara de Jeu to score 73.900%, Natasha Moody and Diamonte Noir placed second with 71.338%, and Brooke Mance was third on Callum Park Freya scoring 70.325%. Similarly, the standard and scores were high in the Horseland Juniors Freestyle; South Australian Kate Kyros took the win with Courtlands Cadman on 72.800% ahead of Jessica Dertell and Gladstone M H on 72.467% and Jasmine Abernathy riding Rebel M on 72.067%.
The Para Equestrians’ Freestyles were of a very high standard and attracted much interest on the Equestrian Life live stream, with expert and insightful commentary from Sharon Jarvis. A highlight was Claire Graham’s Grade IV test aboard Der Beste, which scored 72.767%.
There were also strong performances in the Pony classes which were well supported, and strong entries in the Preliminary Classes, which included the first official dressage series for Off The Track horses at Official Equestrian Australia dressage competitions!
Full results from the Homes & Acreage 2021 Boneo Summer Dressage Championships can be found here.
The action return to Boneo on Friday for the Homes & Acreage World Wetland Day Jumping Championships. More information about the event can be found here.
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