The Boneo Park Winter CDI began today on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. It has been two years since the venue has hosted an international-level dressage event, and everyone was no doubt pleased to be back.
The weather certainly provided all the attributes of a Victorian winter’s day at Boneo Park, with strong winds and chilly temperatures – however it was the hot competition that came to the fore and made the most of this wonderful venue and its top-class surfaces.
Mick Pritchard Grand Prix CDI3*
The Mick Pritchard Grand Prix CDI3* was the premier class today, taking place in the afternoon. While there were only three competitors, it was a thrill to see three states represented beautifully by three combinations quite new to the level.
Queenslander Emma Flavelle-Watts riding her own twelve-year-old gelding Scarlatti Mio VSR (San Amour x Diamond O) won the test on 69.674%. Emma purchased this horse as a five-year-old from Kaitlin Colless, before training him through to Grand Prix.
“Emma Flavelle-Watts rode the beautiful gelding Scarlatti Mio to a wonderful win,” observes Roger Fitzhardinge. “A very upstanding, leggy, tall and elegant black horse, having its only second Grand Prix start ever and first CDI Grand Prix start.
“The entry in the trot tour was really remarkable. ‘Fluency’ and ‘elastic’ were words to describe it. Beautiful self-carriage and balance, and lovely and soft in the bridle.
“The second half-pass to the left in trot was a little parallel and a little tight in the strides. It was a good, relaxed and expressive walk and a nice transition to passage. The passage and piaffe showed great quality, but as yet Emma is not asking for the power that obviously is there but yet to be used. Emma was riding very tactfully to gain confidence with this slightly timid gelding.
“The canter tour needs to have a little bit more suppleness and thoroughness; mind you, the weather was terrible, blowing a gale and sleeting, so not easy conditions today! The half-pass zigzag got a little rolled over and the flying changes were a little swinging in the twos and the ones. But no mistakes in the changes: all clean, just lacking a little balance and confidence. Really nice pirouettes.
“This black gelding seems to have it all and there’s no doubt that Emma has her sights on the big competitions in Europe representing Australia. He’s a delightful horse and delightfully ridden, a very deserving percentage.”
Victorian Caroline Wagner followed in second with Ibicus (Apache x Mondriaan), a twelve-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Caroline in conjunction with Peter Wagner and Frank and Pauline Carnovale. The pair scored 65.457%.
South Australian Fiona Guthrie placed third on 61.326% aboard nine-year-old gelding Bluefields Denoir (Dark Fire x Florencio 2), owned by Jamie Smith.
The other CDI classes, from Children’s through to Under 25, once again showcased just how strong the talent pool is among Australia’s up-and-coming riders. The tests were a treat to watch across the board and it really bodes well for the future of our sport.
Missed the action? You can re-watch the CDI tests from the main arena via ClipMyHorse.TV.
Carol & Skipp Haynes CDI-Ch Preliminary A
The morning began with the Children’s CDI test on the main arena. Amelia Maree riding Noble Dancer, owned by Annabel Shoobridge, finished at the top of the list on 72.625%. Abbey Restall on her own Urodel du Texier (Laurier de Here x Prince Igór) followed closely with a score of 71.125%, and then it was Olivia Roberts, riding Paula McKnight’s Chapel House Gwilym (Chapel House Dafydd), who placed third on 67.500%.
Pryde’s Easifeed CDI-P Team Test
Abby Weel riding Reitland’s Obama won the test with a score of 68.810%. Tess Baker on her own Hilkens No Kidding (Nemax x Champiom de Luxe) followed in second with a score of 65.857%, and then it was Morgan Cockerell, riding her own Monteith Brunton (Woranora Tempest), who placed third on 62.381%.
Equestrian Life CDI-J Team Test
Millicent Fletcher riding Amsterdam, owned by Millie in conjunction with Catherine Barrett, won the test on 68.636%. Tia Rose McKenzie followed in second with her own Phenomenon (Scolari), scoring 67.071%, and Shiva Wiedemann placed third on 66.515% aboard Hollands Bend Regalite – who she owns in conjunction with Beverly Wiedemann.
You can read more about Millie Fletcher in the June issue of Equestrian Life here.
Horseland CDI-Y Team Test
Jessica Dertell riding KWPN stallion Kilimanjaro, owned by Kate Dertell, won the test on 68.824%. Tia Rose McKenzie followed in second with her own Franzisco RW, scoring 67.843%, and Jessica Dertell also took third place on Daminia LP for owner Sarah Wells Smith with a score of 65.441%.
Pauline Carnovale CDI-U25 Intermediate II
Amy Bachmann riding her own SWS Debutante (Dancier x Don Frederico) won the test on 67.549%. Dana Krause followed in second with her own Taittinger VDS (Regardez Moi x Jive Magic), scoring 64.804%, and Jasmine Haynes placed third on 64.510% aboard her own Fan Fan 20 (Foundation 2 x Sir Donnerhall).
Dana has recently made the difficult decision to offer her beautiful ‘Taitti’ for sale, to the best of homes; he’s a horse she has trained from a four-year-old all the way through to Grand Prix. A hard sale no doubt, but what an incredible opportunity for another young rider.
National test winners:
Boneo Park CPEDN Grand Prix A Test Grade IV: Dianne Barnes and BMS Krieger, 65.972%
Boneo Park CPEDN Grand Prix A Test Grade II: Joann Formosa and Ashquar Riley, 63.707%
Boneo Park Intermediate II CDN: Amanda Jakins (AOR) and Artes Lauries Gift, 64.265%
Pryde’s Easifeed Prix St George CDN: Michelle Baker and Movie Star, 70.637%
Elementary Champion: Karen Blythe and MP Romancier
Elementary Reserve Champion: Jessica Dertell and Osaka
Elementary Pony Champion: Stephanie Halligan and Bonsai New Lace
Elementary Pony Reserve Champion: Dallas Mills and Sorrella Sunrise
Catch up on the action
Missed the action? You can re-watch the CDI tests from the main arena via ClipMyHorse.TV
Tune in again to Equestrian Life’s Live TV page or ClipMyHorse.TV from 8.30 am AEST to catch all the action from Arena 1, with commentary from former Grand Prix rider, in-demand coach, and Equestrian Life journalist Roger Fitzhardinge.
Live stream timetable (all times AEST and subject to change:)
Saturday 7 June
8.30am: Equestrian Life CDI-J Individual Test
9.50am: Horseland CDI-Y Individual Test
11.30am: Boneo Park CDI-CH Team Test
12.30pm: Pryde’s Easifeed CDI-P Individual Test
1.30pm: Mick Pritchard CDI3* Grand Prix Special
2pm: Boneo Park CDN Grand Prix
3.10pm: Pauline Carnovale CDI-U25 Grand Prix
Sunday 8 June
8.30am: Pryde’s Easifeed CDI-P Freestyle
9.25am: Horseland CDI-Y Freestyle
10.55am: Equestrian Life CDI-J Freestyle
12.15pm: Pauline Carnovale CDI-U25 Freestyle
1.15pm: Mick Pritchard CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle
2.45pm: Boneo Park CDN Grand Prix Freestyle
3.20pm: Pryde’s Easifeed CDN Intermediate I Freestyle
