Milla Greenaway and SPB Robert Redford. Image by Amy-Sue Alston Photography.
The Sydney CDI just doesn’t have the FEI open classes, but now great interest and huge enthusiasm and talent is seen in the youth CDI classes where there is the CDI-P Pony, CDI-Ch Childrens, CDI-J Junior, CDI-Y Young Rider, and CDI-U25 Under 25.
All these classes have grown hugely in popularity, are highly competitive, and filled with very talented riders who have the opportunity to ride at international level from a very young age. There is no question that our future Olympians start their careers here. It was evident in the selection of the riders for last Olympics, where Jessica Dertell and stallion Cennin very nearly got to represent Australia in Paris.
Jess Dertell and Kilimanjaro. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
YOUNG RIDERS CATCH THE EYE
Jess competed in the CDI-Y classes at the Sydney CDI, and without doubt she was one of the most outstanding riders and produced one of the most polished tests. Stallion Kilimanjaro won the Team, Individual and Freestyle tests in this section. This will be Jess’ last year of competing at this level and she will then step up to the CDI-U25. What is especially evident with Jess is that she is riding a horse that she has brought along over the last few years. This liver chestnut stallion is a little quirky and highly spirited, but very talented. Jess deals with him in a very positive yet empathetic way and he continues to gain confidence through controlled and balanced riding.
“It was absolutely
international quality.”
When you look at their performance in the Freestyle, it was absolutely international quality. Her experience coming up through the lower ranks and having the stallion Cennin to learn on and compete overseas with has really produced a rider that now isn’t just riding through a test, but is focusing on the smaller details and making certain that every movement has a beginning and an end. Her willingness to make the whole performance in the arena look harmonious is quite outstanding. Jess and Kilimanjaro are about to step up to Inter II in the next few weeks and for sure her eyes will be on selection for future World Championship and Olympic teams. This could be the horse to do just that.
Tia Rose Mckenzie riding Franzisco RW, pictured here competing earlier in the year at Willinga Park. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
However, it’s not as if Jess is out there miles ahead of the others. Hot on her heels is Tia Rose McKenzie on a gelding Franzisco RW, by Franziskus out of Revelwood Florentine. Tia also competed in the Junior class, as there is an overlap where you can compete in both CDI-J and CDI-Y in your 17th year.
Tia Rose is a positive rider who is really willing to go for it to get the big marks. She and Franzisco are competing at Small Tour in open national classes with great success. Tia is not easy to beat in these classes and continues to further develop her skills, having gained great experience from many coaches.
“Tia and Franzisco
are competing at Small
Tour in open classes
with great success.”
YOUNG GRAND PRIX STARS
In the CDI-U25 there were only three in the class at Sydney CDI, but all were wonderful riders. Hannah Rockwell and the little bay Beaumont Diorella had three wonderful tests. Hannah’s riding shows discipline and flair. The little mare shows great collection and Hannah rides competently through all the Grand Prix movements. This is a mare that she’s brought up through the ranks, which is quite an achievement. The CDI U-25 Grand Prix is basically the open Grand Prix test, and when you look at the CDI3* Grand Prix, Hannah’s marks would’ve seen her finishing well in the mix of those top horses.
Hannah shows great confidence and competence in riding this test. Her riding shows empathy, yet grit and attitude towards making the most of every movement for the biggest marks.
Maddison Vallender and Ronan R. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Maddie Vallender and Ronan R have been competing in the U-25 for a couple of years now. Ronan has done nothing but improve in his training and way of going throughout this time. Two years ago, Maddie found it difficult to ride him through a Prix St Georges test and his piaffe, passage and changes weren’t easy feats at all. Maddie adores this quirky horse and that is obvious through the huge amount of harmony and understanding the show. Her riding is always very harmonious and soft; she has a way of riding that is accepting of what she has available at the moment on the day. Maddie is ranked number three (of 200 ranked FEI riders) in the world in the CDI-J rankings, although she has recently sold her very good horse, Rubinell, who was almost unbeatable in the Junior ranks. Rubinell has gone onto another Junior rider, as Maddie is now contemplating going overseas where she’s purchased a new horse.
The best thing about this class is that the riders all know how hard it is to make a mistake free test. They all realise each other’s capabilities, and all are so positive to each other’s performances no matter what.
The third rider was Danielle McMahon and the solid chestnut Remi Lauries Joy. Danielle rode three flowing tests but unfortunately was thrown to the wolves (so to speak) with one international judge giving her a 55% score when the others were 63%, 64%, 63.5% and 64.5%. That sort of discrepancy is hard on any rider; however, Danielle was not fazed, and it was just another day at the office. Onwards and upwards!
JUNIOR CLASSES FULL OF QUALITY
The CDI-J was also full of quality. Eleven riders entered and there were some truly wonderful horses and riding. The classes were not only won by one person; the wins were shared around the riders.
The rider who was at the top of the leaderboard for two of the three Junior tests was Shiva Wiedemann. A tall and elegant rider, Shiva was riding a very beautiful brown horse named Hollands Bend Regalite. Not overly extravagant in movement, but very good in the frame, the contact, and the submission. Shiva shows great experience at riding movements, preparations, and presenting the movements to the judge in the best possible way.
Shiva Wiedermann and Hollands Bend Regalite. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Tia Rose McKenzie and Phenomenon. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
It’s fierce competition at this level! And for sure all the riders watch each other’s tests and are learning by watching the way others ride. This is very positive. It’s all very well to be competitive, as all these riders are, but they are junior riders and the friendship, camaraderie and sportsmanship amongst them must be fostered no matter what. As in Australia we say, you’re not competing for sheep stations!
Tia Rose McKenzie is not new to riding at this level. Tia is a super talented rider and rides with a lot of purpose and positivity. The McKenzie team leaves no stone unturned when it comes to competition and Phenomenon is an extravagant moving horse who also competes to Medium level in open competition. He’s a horse that often finds some discrepancies amongst the judges; he is extra extravagant and does make some beautiful movements, but he also makes the odd mistake, which doesn’t help the overall outcome. There is no question that this is an outstanding combination and I’m sure the aim for Tia and Phenomenon is to be competing with this horse in Grand Prix.
It’s so good to see a Junior rider and a boy, Jake Parbery, riding the very lovely Just Dance at this level. Just Dance is owned by Katina Smith, who competed this horse to Grand Prix before handing him on to Jake to learn the ropes. Just Dance isn’t the most forward-thinking horse and takes some riding. There is obvious harmony between Jake and JD, as he’s known. Jake is a charming gentleman with a fabulous demeanour, not only on the horse but also in the company of other riders on the ground. He earns every mark he gets on JD and the combination look fantastic. Jake is a tall and elegant rider with a very beautiful position and great harmony between with his horse. He seems to take everything in his stride and is always very happy for all the other competitors.
“There is obvious harmony
between Jake and Just Dance..”
Another rider to watch out for is Millie Fletcher with Amsterdam, having only been together for three months and Millie only having ridden a couple of Medium tests in her life. She only started riding flying changes three months ago! Amsterdam is an imported Small Tour horse from Holland. Millie and Amsterdam make such a beautiful combination; ‘sweet and unpretentious’ are probably the words. Amsterdam has an extravagant trot and an ability to collect, as well as an uphill canter and fabulous changes. Millie came out and beat them all in the Freestyle. It just goes to show the depth and the quality of the riding and horses in this CDI-J level.
Jake Parbery and Just Dance. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
It was probably the most competitive class and group of riders of the entire CDI, as can be seen by the swapping around of placings during the three tests. Fabulous riding, fabulous horses and it was only minor mistakes that changed the places around. These riders learn to pay attention to the small details in every test. Very competitive and great fun to watch. Any of these riders you could send overseas, and they would be competitive internationally; they would do Australia proud.
“They would be competitive
internationally…”
INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
The CDI-Ch classes are very interesting and gaining great popularity. There are two sections to these tests. There’s a technical test mark and then a section where two judges give marks for rider position and seat, effectiveness of the aids, precision, and then general impression. The tests include walk, trot and canter, medium trot, leg yielding, 10m circles, counter canter, and simple changes. It is quite testing.
Milla Greenaway and SPB Robert Redford. Image by Amy-Sue Alston Photography.
Eight combinations entered in these classes (CDI-Ch Preliminary A and Team tests) and the two riders that had wins were Milla Greenaway and SPB Robert Redford and Isla Oxley on Enbarr. For both tests, the percentages overall were in the 70% range.
Milla Greenaway rides a beautiful chestnut pony with white stockings and a blonde main and tail. Robert Redford is by Movie Star from a German state premium mother, Diva Toscana, and was purchased in 2022. Milla is a very accurate rider with a super position, as is Isla Oxley, who rides a horse and is a tall and well-balanced rider. Both these riders show great precision in their test riding and attack the tests with super concentration and attention to detail.
This child’s class is fantastic to watch and the way it’s judged gives everyone a very good chance; you don’t have to be on the fanciest and best pony or horse, as there are many marks made up in the section where the judges look at the way the children ride. It’s an exciting class leading into the CDI-J section. Great percentages and great riding. A super class.
PONIES ON THE RISE
The CDI-P at the Sydney CDI was a smaller class, but all the same there were very nicely ridden and presented tests. The outstanding rider on the super pony Reitlands Obama was Abby Weel, scoring over 70% in two of the three tests. This pony has exceptional medium and extended paces and a fabulous forward desire in all the lateral work. The test isn’t easy, having half passes, medium and extended trot and canter, and simple changes. Abby’s tests were almost foot-perfect. Abby competed for Australia at the P.S.I. Future Stars competition in Hagan, Germany last year, and was very successful – gaining the highest percentage of all the Australians that were competing there at that competition. That experience really pushed he along and it shows in her ability to prepare and rebalance her pony throughout the test.
Abby Weel and Reitlands Obama. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Second to Abby and Obama were Marley Ara Yates and Mr Buckmeister, also scoring good percentages and pushing Abby along. As his name suggest, this wonderful buckskin pony goes in a very correct way and Marley is extremely competitive and rides with great feel.
What is very noticeable about these ponies is that they are very well ridden. The riders produce the movements very well. They aren’t sitting on ponies that cart them around at all. There is a very obvious understand in these riders of how to ride movements, how to prepare movements, and how to ride the entire test – not only that, but they ride with such confidence. It is quite amazing.
I’m sure this CDI-P class will really start to take off with the number of ponies that you see now doing dressage across the board. These young riders ride with great tenacity and are extremely competitive with one another, but out of the dressage arena again the camaraderie and friendship are obvious. There is no doubt that these riders will go on to greater things. They certainly have the chance to gain experience at international competition and that stands in good stead for the future. EQ
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