© Stephen Mowbray
2018 Boneo Classic – Saturday
Para Dressage Individual Test Report:
The Grade II test is similar to a Novice test, but without the canter.
Joann Formosa – Triple Trees Prince Perfect is a very attractive chestnut stallion with a great
demeanour in thi s test the leg yield could be a little more parallel. Being a stallion he was a little inattentive at times and he could have shown a little more forward desire.
Second trot was better and more forward. A little against the bridle at times but this gold medallist rider showed a great position and rose such an accurate test.
Victoria Davies – Bravour M
From NSW. Lovely horse and Victoria has great balance. A little tense to start with a nice nice steadiness in frame and contact until perhaps a few moments of anxiety about the moth and whether he had his tongue behind the bit made for a few scary moments but Victoria dealt with this well. Mistake in the lengthened strides when the horse got a little forward with his head up. Victoria had to circle to regain control. Another circle/error of course. Really lovely halt to finish but unfortunately there were three or more errors as the circles and transitions at incorrect markers made for elimination. It was a win for Joanne Formosa and her stallion.
Para Dressage Individual Test – Grade III
Emma Booth – Zidane
A little unsteady in the first halt. Really good turn on the haunches. Relaxed, no trouble adjusting between different frames. Great walk. Great relaxed halt at the end. This combination are not as fit as have been as Zidane was out for some time after colic surgery. the combination looks sensational and the cadence and balance in the work is outstanding and the walk mark should be high indeed. A few mistakes crept in and a costly misunderstanding in a turn where they cantered a few strides was costly but a good win and a good percentage of just over 71% and a good qualifying score and still not on full revs. Quite an amazing performance and with every mark.
Elizabeth Anne Skinner – Freedom Spider
Error of course at the beginningWhen Anne turned the wrong way at C des[ite having a caller so for sure there are still nervous moments despite her experience having ridden the big wonderful grey Berkeley Castle at the Athens Olympics. Anne rides in rising trot, snaffle bit and this day lacks a little impulsion but nice and relaxed. Lovely square halt to finish.
Para Dressage Individual Test – Grade IV
Phoebe Roche – Saddle Up Romper Stomper
Relatively new combination. Really nice test, very smooth. A little bit of tension, but the horse has lots of ability. Unfortunately the score was not so good as Romper stomper was tense and short and deep in the neck at times but a good horse for the future and as is known a horse that was originally started with Maree Tomkinson.
Dean Ryan – Let’s Imagine
Mare, beautiful rhythm in the trot.e Again the test in rising trot. Great core stability from this recently graded rider . Riding very accurately to the markers on the FEI mare that was competed and trained by Lizzie Wilson Fellows. A very good effort to finish in third place at his first big competition and Dean deservedly needs to have a great grin from ear to ear. score of 66.291%
Amanda Parsons – LBA Zhia
From Hobart, bred the horse herself – young mare, just turned 6. Super halt. Really good combination here and the duo look at ease with each other and the arena. First big 3*. Mandy has bred many horses – but this one is one of the best. Little and compact horse, nice and up in the neck. Very young mare that Mandy broke in herself. Confident and easy, but could be a little more steady in the trot contact. A good score here as well and very competitive. 5th on 65.935%
Zoe Vorenas – Litttle Brave
Victorian rider who has come a long way recently and really been improving on their scores.
Beautiful horse with good trot; could have a little more elasticity and lacks softness/suppleness at times. Not the most flamboyant horse, but Zoe is clever and rides a very accurate test to pick up marks. 4th on 66.016% so the middle placings were so so close. well done and a horse that is on the improve and very consistent.
Sharon Jarvis – Ceasy
WA. Really good shoulder in with good rhythm. Really nice horse elegant brown 10 year old imported mare that represented Australia at the Rio Games with Sharon. Little mistake in the canter, but otherwise great test. This horse is exuberant too say the least and is sharp and talented but still some tension spoilt the higher marks. Sharon finished 2nd on 68.13%
Kaye Hannan – Bradgate Park Wexford
From NSW. Well bred horse, big horse and quite steady in the contact, steady in the frame. Walk could be a little more regular, could show more purpose – a little lazy. Really good transition back from canter. Very pleased with her test. A big bold horse that still needs to show a little more self carriage for the bigger marks but a good package and accurately ridden to score 63.862%
Katie Umback – Gondskovlunds Marquis
By the same sire as Zidane; quite like Zidane in the trot. Double bridle, but one rein. Imported horse with very rhythmical trot. For a big horse with big strides, does a super job on the small circles. This horse can be a little lazy/lack impulsion but looks great and more forward today. Best test so far, should score better than yesterday. Ease and confidence, really with her today. Really consistent test, steady in the contact and frame, no hiccups. score of 69.297% placed them in the lead and that was with an error for making a transition at a wrong marker.
Phoebe Roche – Power of Attorney
Hiccup riding out of the first halt, little pigroot; a little too much with the whip. Quite different to Phoebe’s first horse; not easy riding two. Test is becoming more confident and flowing as it goes on. Had to over-ride a bit at the start and then settled as the test progressed for a 63.049%
Para Dressage Individual Test – Grade V
Claire Graham – Comtesse
Horse could be a little more collected and in a frame; a little long in the frame. Nice half pass, just lacking a little bounce and collection in the canter. Tricky test, and very obedient horse. The half pass itself is super, really nice engagement. Really good halt to finish second with 61.944% and this imported mare was previously campaigned by Judith Smith
Chelsea De Jonge – Ridermark Amore
From WA. Young rider – just 13! Youngest age allowed to compete at a CPEDI3* event. Sharon Jarvis coached her from age 9. Before this comp, only sat on this horse 5 times. Vic owned horse and older horse loaned to her the horse so she can get the opportunity to compete at FEI event.
Super test considering she hasn’t ridden the horse much. One little hiccup in middle of the test, just a bit of a miscommunication. Little unsteady in the final halt, but great effort overall. 60.754%
Matilda Carnegie – Quebec 51
Really nice rhythm in the trot, great cadence. Some tricky movements in this test, but Matilda has done a great job and she will be really pleased with that test. It was a winner for sure and she just did do that. for a score of 63.73%. This is an imported horse and was successful in the Hanna stables. a great job and consistent from the beginning to the end.
Claire Graham – Valentino W
Second ride for Claire. Really big horse. Loaned to her from an open rider. Lovely bounce in the canter and super cadnec. Lovely horse and lots of bounce about him. Rising trot – no rules in para dressage about whether you do sitting or rising trot. Could be a little rounder, but the horse has done a great job. Great expressions and willing way of going – nice and forward but the marks a little all over the shop but it is understandable when you think that the frame and way of going should be as a Prix St George level horse and he was a little open in the frame to fulfil this promise. A score of 61.111% to be third.
The Para tests were of good quality and internationally competitive for sure. The standard and the way of going quite amazing when you think of the problem that some riders cope with in their day
to day life, let alone coping with the riggers of competing in the spot of dressage that is The standard towards the WEG and future Olympics is indeed bright.
Grand Prix Report:
Alexis Hellyer: Bluefield Floreno 68.196% 4th
This was their 4th Grand Prix and a truly good ride. Ridden with confidence and attention to a clear test. Not one that was pushed and forced in anyway. All the movements were clear and effortless and for bigger marks as he gets stronger over the back, Alexis will show you what power is all about. But power before confidence.
Rozzie Ryan: Adonie 62.739% 11th
Rozzie’s mare started being a little unsettled after X. This sensitive mare tends to become a little behind the leg when nervous but Rozzie tactfully rode a positive test until the mare settled. There were some great moments but some rhythm changes from tension spoilt marks.
Mary Hanna: Calanta 67.00% 8th
Mary is a wonderful rider who has rspresented Australia in many Olympic Games. She trains with Patrick and Lyndal Oatley. They really do love this mare. You can’t gain this experience unless you are out practicing this and this is a good place to start as she is a young mare which not a lot of experience. Collected walk will get a good mark. Extensions will also get good marks.
Great canter with such spring.
Brett Parbery: DP Weltmieser 70.696% 1st
Great halt down the centerline. Makes the angle in the half pass look so easy! Brett really has the most incredible position. He makes it look so easy, you never see him move! Super transitions. Passage isn’t quite his strength. Very consistent test. Super 2 time changes. It’s going to take some beating this test!
Katherine Farrell: Luxor 118 67.522% 6th
Katherine is getting better and better. Beautiful horse. Great centerline and half pass. He looks more forward and I think this is the best he has gone for a while. The passage could have a little more expression. Very straight 1-time changes. Katherine’s position didn’t move. A really nice job!
Gitte Donvig: Sancette 65.50% 10th
Its nice to see him back after a little injury. This is a horse that certainly makes the half passes look very easy. Gite has a great partnership with Sancette now. Great expression in the passage. Very good extended walk. Nice transitions out of the piaffe. He looks really good in the canter. Steady in the frame! Sometimes the canter prioiette can get a little slow. Really good job.
Heath Ryan on Utopian Cardinal: 67.935% 5th
This horse is becoming more established at this level. Master of the half pass. Could show more bend and flex to the left. Could be more active with hind legs. But good passage and transitions. So much piaffe and passage in this test. If it’s good you will get the big points. Fantastic pirouette. Easy to give this a 70. A nice test by Heath.
Shannan Goodwin on Aristede: 68.478% 3rd
This is Shannan first FEI horse. To get to Grand prix is a massive feat. Horse is becoming more and more uphill. Super half pass- expressive and fluent. He didn’t stand still at the halt. Expressive extended trot. Good transition to canter. Well balanced half pass. Big degree of collection for the canter pirouette. Great job.
Lesley Anne Taylor on Amicelli Gold: 67.304% 7th
This horse can make dressage look easy. Has a strong will to win. Lesley Anne has schooled him up to Grand Prix. Big sweeping half passes. . Beautifully into trot with a pretty fancy trot. One thing this guy can do is passage and piaffe. Today the focus and concentration is great from Lesley Anne. Pretty impressive. He is getting a bit strong. Clean changes but he is a little strong in the bridle. But when he gets it right it’s so airy and beautiful. Now the canter pirouettes – pretty good – could be a little more continuous and behind the leg in the 2nd half but nice job. Lesley Anne should be please so far. Super transition into trot.
Rozzie Ryan on Jarrah R: 66.848% 9th
His willing attitude gets him good marks. Rozzie makes it look so easy. Good half pass – tempo and rhythm always-important – regularity – rhythm. Piaffe is his forte. This horse is becoming rounder and rounder. Time is a fab thing and you need to take time with your horses. Experience tells you when to get back onto the spot and correct things but good to know what is going to get you marks and when to get out. These riders know their horses strengths and weaknesses’. Jarrah can get nervous but Rozzie can relax him. That was very good piaffe! I’m sure Rozzie will be happy with how hard this horse tried.
Mary Hanna on Boogie Woogie 6: 68.609% 2nd
Lovely imported horse. He is a bit keen to get on with job. Super half pass. Good tempo. Boogie can get a bit strong. Hard to make the contact light and supple – not as easy as just letting go of the reigns. Mary needs to pick up a few marks. Super transition to passage. He is getting more confident in the arena. A mistake in e twos – will be costly. He needs a bit more jump in the canter. Now the ones – oh a little mistake in the ones. Now pirouettes worth 20. Pretty easy – good pirouettes. Again a little tight in the neck. A bit too closed up in the hind leg with the piaffe. He is just a bit tight today.
