The second day of the young horse dressage saw the 4 and the 7 year old winners decided.
In the 7 year olds it was an individual test similar to an advanced test with sequence changes and with half canter pirouettes. It is a seriously testing programme and usually there are not so many in the 7 year old final but there were 7 through to the final round. In 4th place was Elliot Patterson riding the bay stallion, Fidibus by Floriscount from a Rubin Royal mare. This honest and well presented bay stallion scored a 71% for they test proper and a 73.6% for the paces phase. In this final there is a judge at C who marks every movement in the test and then the judges sit at E on the long side and judge as for the young horses marks. Fidibus is a very neat and correct stallion with a good aptitude for collection but perhaps lacks that expansive movement. Needless to say a god horses and along the right way towards FEI.
In 3rd place was Bluefields Denoir ridden ably by Fiona Smith a 68.14% from C and a 78.4 from E. Thai active smaller black stallion is by Dark Fire from a Bluefields mare by Florencio. They made the test look easy and plenty of expression in the paces powered with tempo and rhythm. It’s another that is so well ridden and its also easy to see them in the FEI ranks. Carol Charmer were second. They were the winners in this class from Willinga Parks Dressage By The Sea. 71.42% from C and 80.2 from E. Charmer is by Charmuer from a Regardez Moi mare and ridden by Mathew Lord. A total of 75.81%. Again another horses where FEI is looming. A taller bay gelding with a good work ethic and a steady and rideable way of going. Time will tell but he is very established at this level and looks ready to forge ahead.
Last to go before the panel of judges was SPH Fortino for Robbie McKinnon. This is a favourite of hers and understandably so. This is a very elastic and expressive horse. He won champion of champions here last year and is owned by Robbie and her mother Allie and Robbies husband David. A 72.43% from C and then a 82.2% from E to be placed first and a score of 76.815%. This test was everything you want in a seven year old horses. The sitting in the pirouettes and then the adjustability in the paces and the Fram was harmonious. It was a great test other than a lapse of concentration and an error of course but Robbie is pregnant and so there was an excuse. She looks amazing on a horses and see oozes empathy and calm and determined aids. The Mckinon team are really making their mark on the sport and two will soon be three. A great win and well deserved.
In the 4 year olds there were ten through to the second round and there were some interesting scores to be had. In fourth place was Aber Dior MI ridden by John Thompson. This is a black mare black mare by Aber Halo 29 out of a Mullawa bred mare by De Nero. This mare went better than yesterday and scored an 8 for the trot ad 7.9 for perspective to be 77.8% overall. In third place also ridden by John Thompson was MI Toto by Toto Junior from an Apache mare. This solid powerful chestnut stallion also went better today and showed good rhythm in all the gaits with the highlight in the canter to gain a 8.2 for this. An overall percentage of 78.4%. This KWPN stallion has plenty of presence and was in wonderfull condition as are with all the Mullawa horses. He could show more lift and cadence but he has a good character and with his build this will come easily as he develops. In second place was one of the superior movers of the class in Exact by Escamillo from a Hohenstein/Sandro Hit mother. Alexandra Vodemair owns and rode this Hanoverian gelding. He was lucky to qualify for the final as he was very disobedient in the first round and Alex had more than her hands full. Needless to say the energy in all three faces with a natural uphill way got her enough points to get in. In the final he certainly was not honest on the riders aids and not really at all relaxed but still showed the natural paces he has that were scored 8.7 trot,8.1 walk, 7.7 canter. These marks were generous considering the lack of obedience and straightness and the a 7.5 for submission really did have the crowds scratching their heads!!!! This submission mark was the same as for Toto and John Thompson and a test that was obedient and at all times on tHE bit showing good transitions with no mistakes! The crowds did not understand this and many riders saw this mark in comparison to the attention to the training scale that all judges and riders adhere to and were querying why they work at the submission and throughness. At all the young horses clinics the training scale is held in the highest esteem but for what reason was it ignored here?
Talking about training scale it was the Secret gelding, Selected form a Gardez mother, ridden by Elliot Patterson that really did show wall the requirements to get rewarded the high marks. It was a superb showing and a 9 for trot,8.5 for walk, 8.8 for canter and 8.5 for submission and 9 for perspective.Total 87.6%. This is a truly wonderful 4 year old. Classy, balanced, honest and rideable and above all a talented athlete that already shows the ability to carry the weight behind and and show great balance and fluidity. This was the crowds loved so much and Elliot showing Selected off in the best positive way. A very very deserving winner and one that looks every inch to go on through all the levels. Exciting things ahead for this horses owned by Samantha Sidwell.
By Roger Fitzhardinge
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