Megan Bryant wins 5yr old class on homebred and trained horse

The five year old second round certainly saw some changes in the placings. In fact it was quite a reversal and what came to light was that when the horses were in the arena alone there was a greater degree of tension and so many of the leading horses after the first round came unstuck with their horses lacking concentration. In defence it has not been easy gaining experience with competitions being cancelled left right and centre. It really showed that it was not always bout the fanciest most animated paces that was so important. It was easy hereto see that the character and confidence in the training and the riding was so important. The judging and the comments in this class were clear and very understandable. It was good to see that they training scale and the riding was brought to the fore. Mistakes especially in the counter canter movement was a sign of lack of balance and obedience and came in to the marks as it should. This test also sees the start of collection and this is seen in the transitions to walk for the simple changes and the transitions with the paces and the development in to the halt.

The horse that truly showed all of this was they black gelding Dankersohn MBE ridden by Megan Bryant. Megan an Australian representative at the last of the young rider world cup final in Frankfurt as a young rider on the mare Donnas Bella. The family loved this mare and found her full sister. They bred her to Furstenball and produced a beautiful mare, Favorite and then bred her to Dankesohn and produced this gelding. He was broken in but missed early showing due to covid. He is quite inexperienced at competitions but was the perfect model of confidence in the atmosphere. A completely mistake free test showing all that was required at this level. The judges commenting on the modern elastic and free moving horse. Trot 8.0. Walk 8.0. Canter 8.0 Submission 7.8. perspective 8.2. The total of 80% put them from 8th in the first round to first. It was the uphill and well furnished Nottingham GP by Daily Diamond ridden hby Olivia Gillespie.=, gaining 78.8 overall with a highlight in the canter gaining the highest mark of all for canter with an 8.2. This is a very nice type with correct and even paces and a horses really set for the future.

In third place was Keystone Fursten Class, 77.2%, bred by Lillian Savage being by Furstenball. Furstenball has had a big influence in Australian bloodlines. The winner also having a strong Furstenball influence and the trainability and good looks can often be seen in the Furstenball progeny and its that trainability and good internal character that is so important in producing horses to Grand Prix.
It was interesting that the placing change around so much. The leading horses after the first round went from 2nd to 7th and from 1st to 8. Intriguing and the comments from the judges focused more on the way of going and the engagement and balance to the hind legs. This was understandable when the test ridden alone, as the judges focussed more on the rideability and training than purely on the gaits. It was perhaps a little confusing as to why but also good to see honesty as to what the judges see at that moment and not going by what had happened yesterday. All very positive and the crowd could easily follow and learn about what was being wanted in the second round.
A good win and well applauded.

By Roger Fitzhardinge