Jess Dertell and Osaka P won both the Open Elementary and Medium Championships at the recent Brisbane CDI. Image by Picture the Moment Photography.
Jessica Dertell is making waves with stallion Osaka P. Their Open Medium and Elementary Championship wins at the Brisbane CDI confirmed them as an exciting dressage combination with enormous potential.
One of the most exciting combinations in action at The Saddlefitter Brisbane CDI last month was the Open Medium and Elementary Championship winners, Jessica Dertell and six-year-old KWPN-licensed stallion, Osaka P.
The stallion was imported into Australia and arrived at Future Farms earlier this year after being purchased by Jess’ parents Kate and Doyle Dertell in partnership with Luke and Sarah Wells Smith of Motion Equine Centre.
The Dutch warmblood is by Escolar out of elite preference mare Capri P (by Florencio x Jazz x Ulft) and was bred by Pegasus Stales in Bentelo, the Netherlands. The Dertells and Luke and Sarah Wells Smith purchased him from Joop van Uytert.
Jess Dertell and Osaka P in action at the Brisbane CDI. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
STRONG PERFORMANCE IN BRISBANE
In the Medium classes, the pair made a strong impression with an average of 70.45% in the 4.2, and all three judges awarding over 70%. In the Medium 4.3, they once again proved unbeatable, topping the leaderboard with 68.761%. In the Elementary, they scored 74.917% to win the 3.2 and 73.862% to win the 3.3.
Four decisive wins across two levels left little doubt as to their class and marked them as ones to watch as they progress up the levels.
Fresh from their championship-winning performance at the Brisbane CDI, Roger Fitzhardinge sat down with Jess at the Queensland State Equestrian Centre to talk about her partnership with Osaka P, his qualities, and their exciting journey ahead.
How long have you been riding him now?
Jess: I started with Osaka P at the beginning of the year. He’d been competing at around Elementary level, but he was only five. The tricky part was that, by Australian standards, he was classified as a six-year-old when he arrived from Europe, so he went straight into the six-year-old classes at the CDI in Sydney.
Tell us a little about his breeding?
Jess: He was bred in the Netherlands (KWPN), by Escolar, out of a Florencio I mare. It’s a beautiful pedigree, and of course Escolar blood is everywhere at the moment — so many young horses at the recent World Championships carried Escolar in their lines. He’s such a dream to ride and to deal with: expressive, full of energy, yet beautifully mannered and kind. He really is the best horse to have around.
What did you feel in the Medium tests?
Jess: I was really pleased. He’s only quite recently stepped into this level, so to feel the changes so clean, the half-passes really flowing, and the extended work starting to develop was exciting. The collection is coming more naturally all the time. The only challenge was the Queensland weather — the humidity really hit the horses. At home in Victoria, it was literally one degree this week, and suddenly we’re here in 27° and humid! That takes its toll, but he still went out and delivered.
Jess and Osaka at their debut competition together at Boneo Park in March this year. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
How do you manage the transition from cold Victorian winters to humid Queensland competition conditions?
Jess: We use a lot of electrolytes, make sure they’ve always got plenty of water, and do everything we can to keep them cool. In Victoria, they might be rugged up in three or four layers one night, then naked in the sun the next day — so it’s a big adjustment. Up here we work them in the cooler parts of the day, mornings or evenings, keep sessions shorter, and add more walking. It’s about being really responsive to their needs.
And how is he as a stallion?
Jess: He’s fantastic — more like a big puppy dog. He started breeding back in Europe, and he hasn’t changed one bit here, even while competing. His temperament is one of his strongest assets.
At just 21, you’ve already produced Grand Prix horses. Where do you see this one’s future?
Jess: His canter is immaculate, and his ability for collection makes the work come easily. I’m loving the journey with him. He’s learning in leaps and bounds, and with just a bit more fine-tuning in the training, I think the future is very exciting. EQ
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