Main image: David Mckinnon and Estupendo, winners of the Grand Prix. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
The second day of the 2024 Regency Floats NSW Dressage Championships started as a warm and balmy day, but unfortunately the wind picked up and it was blowing a gale by the afternoon! Despite this, some outstanding tests were handed in.
Grand Prix
In the Open Grand Prix competition, sponsored by GP Training, David Mckinnon and Estupendo led with an impressive score of 69.870%. Alexis Hellyer, riding Del Piero ZF, secured second place with an average score of 67.413%, while Caroline Wagner and Ibicus finished third with a score of 65.826%.
Jodie Dunstan and Hollands Bend Highlander were fourth place on 64.109%, Holly Lewis on Heatherton Park Romeo placed fifth with a score of 62.804%, and Mark Kiddle with Penny Hill Park Sophia came in sixth with a score of 62.000%.
In the AOR Grand Prix competition, sponsored by GP Training, Emily James riding Platypus Run Firenz took first place with a score of 64.826% and Linda Krogh riding Jigsaw R followed in second place with a score of 60.435%.
The Boambolo Pastoral Company Inter A went to Layla Williams and Ampersand with a score of 65.618%.
Open Prix St Georges
The Open Prix St George competition, sponsored by Crispin & Jeffery Chartered Accountants, saw Matthew Dowsley, riding TS Firestorm, claim first place with a score of 72.941%. Alexis Hellyer and Fidibus finished in second place with an average score of 69.706%, while John Thompson, aboard MSJ Gatsby, secured third place with a score of 68.824%.
“The Prix St Georges at any Championship is always exciting to see,” says Roger. “To see the up-and-coming horses heading towards Medium Tour and Grand Prix is always very interesting. There is no question that Matthew Dowsley and the beautiful big bay expressive and imposing gelding TS Firestorm was an obvious winner. Despite a few minor problems in a couple of the changes, his percentage of nearly 73% was worth every single mark. This combination is gaining confidence in being more forward and elastic in all the paces. The degree of collection within transitions is obvious. The continuity of the rhythm of each place is also obvious. He doesn’t seem to have a weak point in his repertoire. A seriously experienced rider, Matthew Dowsley rides every line, every preparation to movements, and every exit from a movement with total adjustability. Truly an expressive and big moving horse for the Grand Prix not so far away. A very big win on a score of 72.941%.
“In second place the beautiful Fidibus, who was very correct and rhythmical. Alexis, as always, rode with positivity and forward thoughts. A fine horse and a fine test.
“In third place was John Thompson riding Mount Saint John Gatsby. A very elegant and light-footed brown horse imported from the UK. Perhaps some of the trot work lacked a forward and purposeful desire, and tended to be a little passage-like… but not a bad fault really! The future of this horse to Grand Prix is very exciting. Basically a mistake free test, showing elasticity, cadence, and expression. A horse to watch for the future, there is no doubt about that!
“As always, the PSG test was a very exciting and closely contested competition. There were some super horses throughout the entire test; mistakes change placings around, and if it was ridden all over again tomorrow the placings could well be different. It was a great class and a great positive feeling to the future for Grand Prix in Australia.”
In the AOR Prix St Georges competition, sponsored by Diamond Deluxe Horsewear, Rhiannon Isaacs and KC Bellino topped the field with a score of 66.373%. Deborah Fulwood and Gwandalan Snowman secured second place with a score of 64.176%, while Karma Wilson aboard Fernleigh Florentina finished in third with a of 63.039%.
The Pony Prix St Georges, sponsored by Diamond Deluxe Horsewear, went to Jessica Skinner riding Burrowa Bashar with a score of 67.108%.
Open Elementary
In the Open Elementary 3.2, sponsored Jacob McKinnon Real Estate, Benjamin Thompson riding Regal Quaterhero took first place with a score of 73.063%. Sally Rizzuto and Sir Donnertanz followed closely, securing second place with a score of 72.625%, and John Thompson riding Sicario rounded out the top three, finishing with a score of 72.063%.
“In the 3.2 it was very interesting to see the variation in scores between the judges,” notes Roger Fitzhardinge. “One judge had Regal Quaterhero winning on 79.375%, the other had him 11th out of 13 with 66.750%. You would actually wonder if the judges were watching the same horse as the placings and percentages were so askew. A very beautiful chestnut horse ridden ably by Benjamin Thompson, but a little behind the bridal and not in front of the leg drawing forward perhaps created problems to judge.”
In the Open Elementary 3.3, also sponsored by Jacob McKinnon Real Estate, Sally and Sir Donnertanz clinched first place with a score of 74.695%. John and Sicario finished in second place with a score of 72.073%, while Deon Stokes and Karizmah Bel Air took third with a score of 70.915%.
The Open Elementary Championship went to Sally Rizzuto and Sir Donnertanz, owned by Vicki Newham. John Thompson and Sicario were the Reserves.
“Sir Donnertanz showed a very open and reaching-to-the-bridle frame for an Elementary class,” observes Roger. “It was a very rhythmical and well ridden test by Sally. The gelding was a very successful young horse before having an injury. They put him out for some years, but with persistence and patience and good rehabilitation, he’s back on track and looking very much towards a big future in the sport.
“The Reserve Champion was a very uphill stallion by Secret, ridden by John Thompson. This horse has series expression in the trot and canter with self-carriage and fills the eye in the arena. Unfortunately, today the walk lacked some rhythm and purpose, which spoilt the overall mark. This is one horse for the future and his improvement over the last six months has been outstanding. He’s very uphill with great elasticity and balance, and so well ridden by John.”
The Open Elementary Championship went to Sally Rizzuto and Sir Donnertanz, owned by Vicki Newham. John Thompson and Sicario were the Reserves. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
AOR & Pony Medium
In the AOR Medium 4.2, sponsored by Jarrett Arena Mirrors, the results showcased some strong performances. Libby Guest, riding Statford Novalia, took first place with a score of 67.905%. Kathryn Janjic and her horse Djivin secured second place with a score of 66.081%, while Sally-Jane McPherson, aboard Fortuitous, finished in third place with a score of 61.622%.
In the AOR Medium 4.3, also sponsored by Jarrett Arena Mirrors, it was Kathryn and Djivin who earned first place with a score of 67.628%. Libby and Statford Novalia followed in second place with a score of 66.218%, while Katherine Bennett aboard F1 Don Schumann secured third place with a score of 65.513%.
Libby and Statford Novalia were named AOR Medium Champions, while Kathryn and Djivin were the Reserves.
In the Pony Medium 4.2 competition, sponsored by Rodney’s Photography, Abby Weel riding Reitlands Obama achieved first place with a score of 66.959%. Sydney Evans and Eph California secured second place with a score of 66.824%, while Aurora Cape aboard Theodore Maple BSP finished in third with a score of 66.216%.
In the 4.3 competition, also sponsored by Rodney’s Photography, Abby and Reitlands Obama claimed first place again with an impressive score of 69.872%. Sydney and Eph California placed second with a score of 66.603%, and Aurora with Theodore Maple BSP was third on 66.090%.
Abby and Reitlands Obama were crowned Pony Medium Champions, with Sydney and Eph California the Reserves.
Abby Weel and Reitlands Obama were crowned Pony Medium Champions.Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
A young Abby Weel at SIEC around nine years ago before she had a horse; she told her mum that she’d like to ride in the indoor arena like the riders she saw that day. Now she’s Pony Medium Champion! Image supplied.
Para Equestrian
In Friday’s Para Equestrian classes, Amylie Hines won the Grade III Grand Prix B on 65.917% riding EA Exquisite, improving on their score from Thursday by nearly 4%. Georgina Bills also improved on Thursday’s test to win the Grade V Grand Prix A with Chapplehurst Wynter on 67.829%, and Heidi Ford won the Grade V Intermediate A with Rikaardt H on 64.318%.
Competition continues today and concludes Sunday, 1 September.
Full results from the 2024 Regency Floats NSW Dressage Championships can be found here.
