Fabulous Freestyles on the final day
The FEI Grand Prix Freestyle took place this afternoon and saw David Mckinnon rode 15-year-old KWPN gelding Estupendo (by Ziësto out of Apretado, by Scandic) to first place on 76.340%.
“The Grand Prix Freestyle was won by the beautiful-headed Estupendo, owned by Viv Lipshut, with outstanding music from Les Misérables (I think); it was joyous with great rhythms and was a true Freestyle that was joyful to watch. Estupendo was perhaps not as enthusiastic as he was in the Grand Prix earlier at the event, and a few mistakes in the tempi changes spoilt the chance of even bigger marks,” says Roger Fitzhardinge.
Jodie Dunstan secured second place aboard 14-year-old Hollands Bend Highlander (by His Highness 2 out of Hirtenqueen, by Sunny-Boy) achieving 72.565%, and Alison Gill rounded out the top three with the pony Hilkens Denali (by Dreamcatcher out of Shamila, by Black Boy), finishing with a score of 72.320%.
“In second place was Hollands Bend Highlander for Jodie Dunston. I am sure that Jodie will be elated that there were no mistakes in the flying changes, and he made the one tempi changes look easy – at last! With his Achilles heel in the tempi changes seeming to be better established, this horse’s marks in the Grand Prix are going to start to really shine. He has a super talent for the piaffe and passage transitions,” explains Roger.
“The petite under-14 hand pony Hilkens Denali for Alison Gill showed fabulous uphill tempi changes, canter pirouettes to piaffe pirouettes, and really good piaffe. And again, this 19-year-old pony was beautifully on the bit and showing a trust and confidence in all the movements throughout this test. He was perhaps a little tired, having competed in the Grand Prix, Special, and the Freestyle, but needless to say this little guy never gave up and certainly got the applause-meter accolade from the crowd!”
You can re-watch all the action from the main arena at the Australian Dressage Championships via ClipMyHorse.TV.
The FEI Under 25 Grand Prix Freestyle saw another win for Bridgette Dalmau and Bon Jovi MH (Bonifatius out of St.Pr.St Welkanje, by Weltmeyer), with an impressive score of 75.315%. Layla Williams followed in second with Ampersand on 68.505%m, and Amy Bachmann rounded out the top three with SWS Debutante (by Dancier out of SWS Divinity, by Don Frederico) on 67.955%.
The FEI Intermediate A/B Freestyle went to the Medium Tour Reserve Champion, Emma Flavelle-Watts and her horse, Scarlatti Mio VSR; the pair scored 72.370%. “Again, Emma showed her expertise with the beautiful black gelding, Scarlatti Mio VSR. Some minor mistakes ruining the bigger marks, but the horse is still green at this level and certainly a deserving winner,” says Roger.
Amanda Jakins followed in second with Artes Lauries Gift, earning 68.450%, with Amy Bachmann third place aboard Genuine River, with a score of 68.420%.
“The chestnut gelding Artes Lauries Gift is also young at this level and has gained more and more confidence in every test over the Championships. He shows a great ability for the piaffe and passage tour and makes it look easy.”
Magnificent Medium horses
In the Medium 4.2, Caitlin Scott and Furstenglanz took the top spot with a score of 72.117%. Deon Stokes secured second place aboard Axel DC, achieving a score of 71.802%, and then Kaila Simms rounded out the top three with Arnage Totil Bliss, finishing with a score of 70.315%.
Deon and Axel DC then won the 4.3 with a score of 73.291%. Rebecca Rooke followed in second place aboard BB Niccolo, achieving a score of 70.897%, and Caitlin rounded out the top three in this test with Furstenglanz, finishing with a score of 70.299%.
Deon and Axel DC were the Open Medium Champions, with Caitlin and Furstenglanz the Reserves.
“A horse that took the eye in the Advanced yesterday was Axel DC for Deon Stokes; today, they showed total competency at this level with distinct ease. Axel has three wonderful places, including an exceptional walk that gained 9 and over,” says Roger.
“As with all Deon’s horses, Axel showed not only competence, but confidence, and the harmony and genuine understanding between the two is easily evident. In this day and age of dressage, where the scales tilt towards submission and harmony, this Medium Champion shows exactly this. An uphill, consistent frame; engagement, continuity and flow. A fabulous horse.”
“Furstenglanz is a beautiful brown elastic and light-footed gelding. A very modern type by Fursten Look, owned by Moya Jess from Victoria. There is no doubt Caitlin and this beautiful, fluent horse gave Deon and Axel a run for their money. Both these horses have shown exceptional scores in young horse classes to national level, and they’re continuing on in the same vein.”
There were also another couple of Medium level horses that also commanded attention. “Kaila Simms and Arnage Totil Bliss, a full brother in blood to Toto Jnr, also caught the eye,” says Roger. “This short-coupled black gelding with plenty of spice by Totilas shows a great ability for collection and expression. This horse had the judges a little lacking in agreeance in the overall perspective; he is quite different in his way of going compared to the average Medium horse, with more knee and a sharper, quicker type of trot. Another good horse for the future, owned by the Reillys from the ACT.
“A gelding that has come ahead in leaps and bounds since the State Championships is Glenda De Wit’s BB Niccolo, ridden by Rebecca Rooke. Rebecca represented Australia in young horse classes internationally and has recently returned from a long stint in France. This chestnut gelding at the State Championships was very sprightly indeed, and Rebecca having only ridden him for a short while was still testing the water. Rebecca is taking her time with this horse; BB Niccolo has what it takes to go to the top level in the sport, and it was obvious watching the test that she was nursing this precious gelding around. The harmony and understanding between the two of them, the lightness, and the ease of all the movements, were exceptional. This will be one to keep your eyes on,” notes Roger.
“Don Pikado, the important gelding owned by Kylie Riddell from Victoria has just stepped up to Medium level and showed some great parts today – but as yet a little green and lacking the consistency. However, this horse has power plus, and a presence and feeling that he will also make it all the way.”
The Medium Pony 4.2 saw Abby Weel and Reitlands Obama claim first place with a score of 69.459%. Sydney Evans followed in second with Eph California, earning a score of 66.982%, and Christopher Brunton secured third place aboard Freemans Lodge Denim N Lace, finishing with a score of 66.261%.
The Medium Pony 4.3 saw the top three results repeated, with Abby and Reitlands Obama claiming another win with an impressive score of 72.692%. Sydney secured second place aboard Eph California, finishing with a score of 65.427%, while Christopher rounded out the top three with Freemans Lodge Denim N Lace, achieving a score of 64.957%.
Abby and Reitlands Obama were the clear Pony Medium Champions, and Sydney was the Reserve Champion with Eph California.
“Abby Weel was focussed and absolutely on the ball today, which is so impressive to see from a young rider. As a consequence, this combination showed fabulous performances and gained big scores. This imported pony has very expressive paces and wonderful flying changes, and they deserved the big marks,” says Roger.
The Novice Olympics
“Today’s classes were described by one of the judges as the ‘Novice Olympics’. Indeed, these two Novice classes were full of fabulous young horses. To think you have to get over 70% at this level to place in the top 10 is remarkable,” reflects Roger.
In the Open Novice 2.2, Robbie McKinnon and Divine 18 claimed first place with an impressive score of 78.854%. John Thompson followed in second with Franka MI, achieving a score of 74.479%. Harvey Besley rounded out the top three aboard Keep A Secret, finishing with a score of 74.427%.
In the 2.3, Robbie and Divine 18 secured first place again with a score of 76.810%. John once again followed in second with Franka MI, achieving a score of 72.714%, and then David McKinnon rounded out the top three in this test aboard Ellanbrae Tia Veida, finishing with a score of 72.524%.
Robbie and Divine 18 were the Open Novice Champions, with John and Franka MI named the Reserve Champions.
“Robbie Mckinnon made it a quinella, being the Novice Champion at the NSW State Championships and now claiming the Novice Champion title again here at Nationals with the upstanding black gelding Divine 18, owned by Steph McDonald from Victoria. This tall, elegant gelding shows great elastic paces with an especially uphill canter. Percentages just under 80% were totally warranted,” says Roger.
“John Thompson had two great rides on the bay gelding Franka to be runner up in the Novice Championship with percentages in the mid-70s. A very leggy and elegant gelding who will be a very interesting horse coming into the Elementary and Medium levels shortly.”
The Pony Novice 2.2 saw Justin Worthy claim first place with Freemans Lodge Gigabyte, achieving a score of 69.375%. Justin also secured second place aboard Broadway De Luxe with a score of 66.719%, and Kirsty Douglas finished third with TF Black Diva, earning a score of 65.781%.
The Pony 2.3 again went to Justin Worthy, with Broadway De Luxe on this occasion; they scored 69.333%. It was another quinella in this test for Justin, finishing in second place with Freemans Lodge Gigabyte on 68.667%. Angelina Thompson rounded out the top three with Pant Y Ffynon Hoochiecoochie, achieving a score of 66.190%.
Justin collected both the Pony Novice Championship and Reserve title.
That’s a wrap!
“So that’s a wrap for the National Championships. With a sport that’s found it somewhat difficult over the last few months to remain super positive with rising costs and people finding it a little difficult to compete, the positivity, camaraderie, and friendship that exuded amongst the competitors was very evident,” reflects Roger.
“It could be said that this stems from top class horses, and especially that judges were giving positive marks for the good horses and allowing the high 70% tests to flow, which has not always been the case in the past. These marks were not inflated in any way; they were totally deserved and I’m sure this perspective from the judges filters down through the ranks and encourages everyone to bring their best foot forward.
“Huge percentages for the Champions at all levels, and no single outstanding performances… but rather there were many! The Champions were all outstanding, and it wasn’t a lay down misère who was going to win these classes. It came down to good riding with no mistakes in accuracy, along with super training, that decided the winners in the end.”
Results and draws from the Australian Dressage Championships can be found here.
