Jessica Dertell & Cennin win EQUITANA Grand Prix CDI-W

By Roger Fitzhardinge

It is so good seeing EQUITANA Melbourne back in action since Covid, and a fantastic venue for a really international event in fantastic atmosphere. Riders in Australia are always begging for competitions that will enable them to acclimatise their horses to atmosphere, and if there is one beautiful organised event for this, it is EQUITANA!

The judges were Sunil Shivdas from India, Peter Storr from Great Britain (who judged at Herning), Jane Ventura, an international judge from Australia, Helen Hughes-Keen from New Zealand, and Susan Hoevenaars from Australia, an Olympic judge. Quite an elite group of super experienced judges and such a shame that there were only five horses entered.

The surface was good, as were the facilities and warm up, and a wonderful huge arena with great acoustics and atmosphere. The judges’ scores were coming up before the horses were out of the arena; what could be better! And what’s more, the weather was warm and sunny, which is exciting indeed instead of rain and floods. Two months ago, the Melbourne Royal Show jumping was called off due to the horrendous weather.

Cennin, the newly imported stallion that was an WEG Dutch representative, impressed. He is owned by Samantha Thomas of Sabble Farm and ridden by 18-year-old Jess Dertell. This stallion by Vivaldi shows all the Grand Prix movements with ease. Jess is such a great rider and has had so much success in the last 12 months and seems almost unbeatable. For whatever was going through her head, she went sailing past the C judge and forgot the halt and rein-back! A 2% deduction was so costly, but all the same, her score of 68.152% was well received and without that error would have been 70.152%. Cennin could have shown a little more self-carriage and energy for the bigger marks, but all the same some good work for sure. The pair finished in first place.

In second it was Lindsey Ware and the gelding by Aachimedes, Aristede, who made some great work. For whatever reason, Lindsey too made an error where she stopped going the correct way after the zig zag and continued on and five movements later as she halted at what she thought was part of the test and the C judge sounded the bell. She had to go back to the zig zag and the judges then continued. A 2% deduction saw them on 64.631%.

Lindsey Ware and Aristede.

© Roger Fitzhardinge

In third place was Utopian Cardinal for Mary Nitschke with a 64.304%. A consistent test and well ridden, but just a little high in the neck without having him really over the back and as a consequence the hind legs were not really able to come under to show the sitting and engagement need for the big marks.

Mary Nitschke and Utopian Cardinal.

© Roger Fitzhardinge

In fourth was Kerry Mack and the tall and leggy chestnut Mayfield Limelight. Kerry bred the mother, owned the father and competed him to Grand Prix. A great combination that handed in a great test. More fluent and coping with the atmosphere so well for a sensitive, big horse. A score of 64.196%. Better piaffe and passage, a few mistakes in the two-tempis and some nice marks for the extended paces. A smiling Kerry with Limelight really on her side!

Kerry Mack and Mayfield Limelight.

© Roger Fitzhardinge

In fifth place was Dirk Dijkstra on Royalito. They scored 63.587%. A very tall and leggy horse owned by Vivien Lipshut, Tabea Fröschle, Herbert Kruse and Julia Richter. Royalito is by Royal Blend out of a Worldly mare. Royalito handed in a consistent test with no real mistakes.

Dirk Dijkstra and Royalito.

It was an interesting test; while the winner was obvious and well in the lead, second to fourth placing was anyone’s and a very close competition for the minor placings.

Congratulations to all! The CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle takes place tomorrow evening.

Full results can be found here.

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