Mary Warren and Mindarah Park Raphael – winners of the CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle
© Roger Fitzhardinge
By Roger Fitzhardinge
4YO Young Horse – Round 2
Today began with the second round of the four year old class. Alycia Targa rode the attractive chestnut mare, Nyssa TPH, who is by Negro and Medallion. The combination scored 76.8%, which placed Alycia and the neat chestnut mare in overall second.
Robbie McKinnon and HV Del Piero by De Niro and HV Her Highness produced a fantastic result. Robbie and the stunning black gelding, who has plenty of bling were crownd the winners of the class, with the whopping score of 85.2%! In third place, it was Tyger by Totals and Sir Donnerhall, with a score of 75%. There were some great comments but today, the judges felt he needed to be more over the back, and reaching to the hand a little more. They thought this stunning horse had great character and talent for the sport.
5YO Young Horse – Round 2
It was Brett Parbery all the way in the five year old class with the mare, WP Emotion, who is by Equitaris. The elegant and electric mare scored some amazing marks indeed. There certainly are more marks in this mare, but they were perhaps restrained today, due to the talented mare being a little hot in the arena. However, Brett rode her brilliantly, and was able to show her at her best. The mare is very light footed and sharp, and is able to make the work look so easy. However, today the mare was lacking submission, and there appeared to be a lack of relaxation and reach in the stretching work. This will sure be an amazing mare for the future! Brett and WP Emotion received a terrific score today of 83.6%, placing them in first position.
In second place, it was the wonderful and expressive chestnut by Quarter Back in Quincy B with Jayden Brown, who is owned by Lauren George. The combination received a score of 81.4%, including a 9 for the trot, but the judges were tough on the walk and only gave a 7.3. The walk mark can be a killer, as it holds the same mark-count as the trot and canter mark. He is a beautiful horse, and is going to be a great horse for the sport in the future – without question. In third place, it was Deon Stokes and Spanish PRE (Pure Raza Espanola) with 74.8%. The lovely grey stallion made his way through the test with fluency. This breed often take time to develop their stride strength to win but regardless, he certainly is a delightful character.
Fourth place went to the leggy black gelding, WPH Sachio, who is by San Amour. Edwina Hutton-potts rode this test extremely well, and scored a great score of 72.4%. This is another horse for the future of the sport, who has great character and trainability.
CDI-J
In the CDI-J Freestyle, first and second place were awarded to Nancy French’s daughter, Jazi. Jazi was riding Florinzz and Noblis Juelles, and received a score of 67.66%, and 66.96% respectively. It was nice to see four competitors in this class, and to see Jazi doing so well. It was also thrilling to see that Jazi is following in her mothers footsteps. Third place was awarded Rosie Cooke, who was riding KH Arion, and fourth place was awarded to Willian David.
Jazi French and Florinzz – winners of the CDI-J Freestyle
© Roger Fitzhardinge
CDI-Y
In the CDI-Y Freestyle, it was Aristede again who shone bright. The 14-year-old WEG contender to the last term when owned by Shannan Goodwin, also won the CDI Grand Prix at this event last year, with a score that was over 70%. Aristede, who is now ridden by Lindsey Ware scored 71.1%, which placed them in first position. Second place was awarded to Tainsha Ryan and Quizzical. The freestyle was consistent and well ridden by Tanisha, who is a real character on and off the horse. Third place was awarded to MW Rotsong by Rotspon, who was ridden by Sarah Farraway with a score of 67.45%. This chestnut horse danced his way through the test with spanish music. The CDI-Y class had plenty of outstanding riders that are all seriously competitive and competent at that level.
6YO Young Horse – Round 2
The first horse in the six year old class was Greco by Grandioso, who was ridden by Denise Rogan. The combination scored 73.4%. This horse has gone better and better the whole week down here, and has become more forward and relaxed in the arena environment. This combination is proof of how good it can be, being able to focus on dressage and a competition environment for the two weeks really is. It has really paid off for this combination, and it is clear that they have really benefitted from it this time. Jeffrey Adams rode the stallion, Cool Hand Aloof by Royal Hit for a score of 68.6%. Bertone by Benicia, who is owned by Lauren George wowed the judges to gain 82%, with an 8.5 for the trot, an 8.8 for the walk, an 8.2 for canter, an 8 for the perspective mark and a 7.5 for submission. The combination had a few criticisms of the positioning in some of the lateral work. This is a fabulous horse and has come along such a great way, and I am very excited to see what the future holds for this combination! It was another fantastic win for Jayden and Bertone, who has seemed to have the winning edge all week.
Deborah Oliver and Highfields Bella Vita by Beltano showed some good positive energy within the paces. The brown mare has a lot to like and has a great fluent change to the left. The mare received 7.8 for the trot, 7.5 for the walk and a 7.9 for the canter. The nice and consistent mare is definitely another one with a big future ahead of her. The pair finished in second place behind Bertone – Go the Queenslanders! Third was awarded to Denise Rogan, on the ever improving Greco. Baby Blue for Jeffery Adams is by Jaybee Excellent. The brown stallion made a very pleasing test, but is not yet showing the degree of collection needed for this level, and is still yet to master those flying changes. More shoulder freedom and uphill were the comments from the judges, Sue Hobson and Ricky MacMilan. The combination received a total score of 67.2%
CDN Grand Prix Freestyle
The last afternoon in paradise saw two Grand Prix Freestyles, with the first being the CDN, which was won by Don Rubin and Susan Elekessy, who managed to pull off a freestyle to some music of hers from a while ago that was filed on the system. Susan, being one for a challenge swung in to old freestyle mode and away they went. Quite a feat and what a bonus to win as well! Susan and Don Rubin have won every class they competed in. What a thrill! Second place was awarded to Puala Price and True Sensation. Third place was awarded to Dimity Lourey and Byalee Wow Wie Rw, who managed to score a 63.97%. It was great to see the CDN horses getting their own designated class, where they can settle in to the big tour tests without having the pressure of all the big guns and the CDI!
CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle
The class we were waiting for was the CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle, and what an action packed finale it was! Dirk Djikstra rode the test of his life on AEA Metallic. It was Seriously an absolute treat and a pleasure to watch. The serious classical piano backed music was awesome, and the choreography blends, winds and weaves itself around the music. Dirk sitting better than ever truly owned the arena and it was a tingling performance.
The harmony and roundness in this older stallion is at its best ever. To tell you the truth, this test could have won. It was a truly harmonious performance, and to see Dirk wandering around Willinga Park just made people realise that the connection between horse and man is something very special, and this is definitely a performance that will stick in peoples minds for a long time. Well done Dirk you were a winner! 71.85% and every mark earned, placed Dirk in fourth position. Alycia Targa and CP Dresden told a story to complicated choreography and wonderful music, with great mood and crescendos to score a 71.585%, placing them in fifth position.
Dirk Djikstra and AEA Metallic in the Grand Prix CDI4*
© Roger Fitzhardinge
A pocket Rocket and what a rider. It was also a crowd pleaser. 72.275% and a corker of a test to Sue Hearn and her Olympic mount Remington. A totally mistake free test with good choreography, but sometimes the mood set by the music was a little variable and seemed to lack meaning and interpretation. All the changes were clean, and the tempo of the canter being a little quicker made a huge difference. This could have been a winner for correctness and honesty.
Sue Hearn and Remmington at Willinga Park
© Roger Fitzhardinge
In second place, by the narrowest of margins was the wonderful artistic rider Rozzie Ryan and the equally wonderful liver chestnut Jive Magic Gelding, Jarrah R. 73.425% and beaten by less that 0.02% by Mindarah Park Raphael and the 20 year old Mary Warren super star rider, who won a CDI freestyle at Sydney in 2016 on this horses father, named Ramadan, and was the youngest ever to win that class. 73.6% saw her win the class at Willinga park, and on a horse that is full of potential. The horse has room to improve, particularly in the piaffe, as it is not quite established yet. The pirouettes are still a little large, but will improve with time. The marks will be even better once these movements become a little more established. What a positive ride indeed, and Mary came here to win this class and that she has done. I believe her father will be mighty impressed as the prize money for this was $6,500! What a win. not being negative at all here but the scores were all so close, but the same judge that was lower by 10% with Adonie at last weeks competition, was lower today with this horse by 6% (74.7%, 68.6%, 75.1%,74.5%,74.1%!) 2nd 8th 1st 1st 1st! Seriously, and at the presentation Rozzie, who is such a lady made a special honest speech to thank the judges for all their time and expertise, and how appreciative they were to them for making the effort to come down-under and support the sport. What’s more, she meant it!
It’s a very cruel sport at times. It is important to realise that every judge has a very good and educated opinion, and it’s the whole team that makes the score, not just one judge, and they all appreciate the input and that’s what it’s all about! They are all good people who only do as their eye and education tells them.
Mary Warren was a winner and a winner she is. There is no doubt that she deserved a win here and it was a great performance and every competitor would be so congratulatory of this. Mary is a great sport, so cool, calm and positive and seriously talented. And just you wait, this is just the beginning here with this fabulous horse.
Well Done Willinga!
What is left to say other than thank you Terry Snow and thank you to the beautiful horse partners who make our lives more complete.
Until we all meet again at Willinga, Farewell.
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