CDI3* Grand Prix – Sponsored by The Equidance Partnership, S&J Potter & The Weel Family
It was a very competent and wonderful Grand Prix test that saw our New Zealand visitor, Wendi Williamson, win the CDI3* Grand Prix. I’m sure she will be quite pleased with that test. Some truly wonderful training has gone into this horse for a score of 67.109%.
Wendi rode a secure test showing plenty of impulsion and expression and perhaps occasionally this got in the way of some regularity. There were definite highs and lows in the test, with great extended paces but perhaps the piaffe and passage were lacking fluency and ease. All that you could say is perhaps it lacked a little in a smooth rhythm and the powerful passage and the technique a little lacking fluency. There are so many marks in the passage tour. Don Vito is such a wonderful horse, but it’s not always about the flamboyance as sometimes the energy and the flamboyance can get in the way of regularity when they try a little too hard. All the same, a great test to watch with some very wonderful highlights!
In second place was one of the younger up-and-coming horses, the stallion MSJ Gatsby ridden by John Thomson. A short, compact black stallion with plenty of personality. John rode a very clean test with highlights in the tempi changes. All the Grand Prix movements are established and look confident, yet there is plenty of fuel in the tank for more expression. This little energy-filled stallion is being brought along slowly and gaining confidence every time we see him in the ring. He performed really well at Willinga Park and then even better at Dressage & Jumping with the Stars, and looking very secure today in the arena.
In third place was the black mare D’Esperanza, at this competition being ridden by Robbie McKinnon. This is a very interesting mare with some huge highlights in the changes, medium trot and extended trot. The canter work could show better balance and purity and today the pirouette lacked a consistent tempo. There is plenty to like about this mare and she is still improving in balance and self-carriage.
It is very easy to see some of the horses struggling a little in the balance, but still producing reasonable Grand Prix tests. Many of these riders will be very disheartened with the marks. There is no question that the standard has improved in recent years but looking at marks from today you would not think that at all. It seems over the last 12 months CDI Grand Prix scores have come down, and it’s not easy trying to work out what some judges are looking for. It has also been the feeling overseas at some of the big competitions of late: the marks seem to be very tough, and it was the same here today in Sydney. The sense of positivity towards the future of the sport at this level is not feeling as strong. What can you say but to heed the judges input in their comments and marks, and get better.
Brett Parbery and Vellvit win the Kohnke’s Own CDI1* Prix St Georges
Brett Parbery and Vellvit came out on top with a score of 70.088%, which was really up there when you consider several mistakes in the changes and the first pirouette. Without mistakes, it is obvious that this horse is going to score huge marks with the ever-popular rider Brett Parbery. He has not had this horse for long and still looks a little under-ridden, as this mare is seriously flamboyant and expressive; I’m sure time will see way bigger percentages.
In second place, Matthew Dowsley and TS Firestorm with a completely clean test and no mistakes for 69.176%. As usual Matthew’s attention to detail, preparation and presenting every movement the best way possible gain him some very good marks. One judge managed to find him a position of 12th on a 65%, with the three of the four other judges all over 70. This horse is really starting to show a good balance and a bit of great collection in the canter, with the tempo and rhythm in the trot always consistent.
In third place was Alexis Hellyer and Fidibus on 68.323%. A generous bay horse with good paces and a consistent frame and balance. As always, Alexis rides in a super way and the harmony and the communication between these two is very evident. An absolute delight to watch and a horse that just tries and gets better and better at every start.
This test was interesting and many different types of horses and very interesting judging. It will be nice to see them all come back in action for the Inter I and we look forward to that class.
Robbie McKinnon and QS Sierra win the Horseland Dural CDN Prix St Georges
The top four horses were all of international quality. The winning horse was QS Sierra, ridden by Robbie McKinnon. This mare was yesterday’s Advanced Champion, and again exceptional in the trot work. Words could not explain the elegance and beauty that this combination produced. The highest of marks should’ve been given. The canter work was without a mistake and was very expressive and uphill with a great front leg and active and engaged hind. What else can you say but a ‘good’ (8)? Probably not enough marks for score of 72.99%.
In second place, BC Chilli Pepper – and add his name suggests, he is a little firecracker and is capable of huge marks if he can keep a lid on the chilli part. Today he really came to the party with a beautiful test. Totally mistake free and full of expression and flare. The patience and time that Katina Smith – rider, owner and breeder – has spent with this horse is absolutely now coming to the fore. This is certainly one to watch; always has been, and always will be. A score of 69.314% was very well-deserved indeed.
In third place was Kaila Simms and Desiree IMP on 67.598%, and then the big Friesian stallion Tjibbe, ridden by Serena Ireland, was fourth on 67.157%. Tjibbe was also extremely expressive and very uphill, having also placed well in the Advanced tests. This horse is certainly started to really find his own and now that his changes are much better established, the marks are really starting to flow. There were plenty of other good horses in this test for sure, but the first four were exceptional and really really wonderfully ridden.
Matthew Lord and Remi Vigneron win the Motion Equine Centre CDN Intermediate A
In first place was the upstanding chestnut stallion Remi Vigneron, ridden by Matthew Lord with 68.872%. Matthew is really coming into his own with this horse and an absolute delight to watch. A mistake-free a test but still needing to show more expression, cadence and uphill feeling in the passage… but Medium Tour is the first level with piaffe and passage. He certainly shows all the ability to make all the movements for the Grand Prix, it is just now a matter of time and strength. Certainly in the last 12 months this horse has improved a lot and is way more energetic and interested in his work. It’s so lovely to see dressage bringing out the best in this horse.
In second place was the evergreen Dave McKinnon on Hollands Bend Rococo, a black mare with very extravagant hind legs. A little bit tight and could be a little bit more uphill in a lot of the work, but by the same token well ridden and showing good energy throughout the entire test. As always, Dave McKinnon made it look easy.
In third place was Anne-Catherine Preuss and Sir Octagonal on 66.715%. This Inter A class shows the most quality that we’ve seen in this class at this competition.
Amanda Jakins and Artes Lauries Gift win the Assistance Dogs Australia CDN Grand Prix
The Grand Prix CDN was another interesting class with up-and-coming Grand Prix horses. It was a win to Artes Lauries Gift, ridden by Amanda Jakins. This was only the second time Amanda has ever ridden a Grand Prix and it was the second Grand Prix test that this horse has competed in. A mistake-free test is always a good start, combined with a very elastic and cadenced passage and wonderful adjustability within the transitions in an out of piaffe. Clean uphill ones and plenty of room for improvement here, with the pirouettes still lacking a little balance and the trot half passes needing more bend. An exciting combination, very elegant to the nth degree. A score of 65.261%.
It’s so good to see riders who have been keen for many years coming up through the ranks, make it to Grand Prix. Quite an achievement and a super test and a very excited rider!
In second place was Lisa Dingley and Carousel Oasis on 64.13%, and in third place Sharon Potter and Bradgate Park Amadeus. Unfortunately an interruption to her concentration and mistake after the rein-back created an error of course, attracting a 2% deduction. Without this Sharon would’ve been in the lead by a very small margin. Again, a horse with great elasticity and really well ridden by Sharon. Again, it was only her third ever Grand Prix test in her life, so experience is all important here.
Good performances for CDN Grand Prix level and an exciting group of horses heading towards the future.
Hannah Rockwell and Baumann’s Diorella win the EBM Insurance & Risk CDI-U25 Intermediate II
The CDI-U25 Inter II only had three competitors, but it was interesting test indeed. The winner with a clean test was Hannah Rockwell on Baumann’s Diorella, a beautiful little bay with plenty of energy and pizzazz. Perhaps could show a little more suppleness for the bigger marks, but very well ridden by Hannah, who certainly does not hold back but goes for plenty of impulsion and expression. The score of 67% was impressive.
In second place was Remi Lauries Joy, ridden by Danielle McMahon for a score of 63.471%.
In third place Maddie Vallender on Ronan R. Ronan is not always the easiest character – he can be full of excitement and loves to do his own thing, as he did in the medium canter flying change and in the first sequence of twos. These moments of exuberance spoilt the test, but that’s how the dice rolls.
Three very good riders on three interesting horses and who knows in the next class what might happen? It’s great competition and super riding. As always, these riders in these classes show great camaraderie and joy for each other’s successes. It’s so wonderful to see.
Shiva Wiedermann and Hollands Bend Rigalite win the Randwick Equine Specialists CDI-J Team Test
Another wonderful class showing super talent and super intelligence in the arena was the CDI Junior. It was won by Shiva Wiedermann on the beautiful mare Hollands Bend Rigalite. She’s by Royal Classic out of the beautiful black mare, Hirtenqueen, and bred by Holland’s Bend. Shiva has not had this horse for long and this is her third outing, for a score of 70.303%. It was an outstanding percentage. On speaking with Shiva, she was ecstatic with this performance and the highlight for her was the changes and the extended trot – which they have great fun with, scoring eights. They’ve only been together for eight months and Shiva is very excited to be able to start to put a little bit more expression and energy into this mare’s test, as she’s been just feeling her out and getting organised and taking her time. Super riding and a fantastic percentage.
In second place was Jake Parbery, a very elegant and tall rider on the gelding Just Dance, owned by Katina Smith. Jake certainly rides with style and attention to detail. Such a pleasant attitude on and off the horse. This young guy shows plenty of potential; his modesty and his ability to ride shines. A really lovely, flowing test for 67.929%.
In third place was Freshman R for Emma Hutchinson on 67.677%. The standard is quite fantastic with these young riders and they are really riding their horses: they don’t just sit there! Their ability to prepare and produce movements fulfilling the criteria for this level of test is a treat to watch. It holds our country in good stead for the future, we just need to keep them riding!
Abby Weel and Reitlands Obama win the Equestrian NSW CDI-P Team Test
You can’t look past the CDI Pony class and an outstanding win for Abby Weel and Reitlands Obama with all judges over 70%. A wonderfully trained pony and Abby is really starting to ride this test with great attention to detail. A highlight of course is the medium and extended trot and the half pass trot, but the entire test was a delight to watch, cruising through it without any problems whatsoever. Such a generous bay pony and wonderful score of 70.476%, a truly international test.
Second went to Marley Yates and Mr Buck Meister on 65.238% and third went to Isabella Anderson on Boronia Applause on 65.238%. It’s so wonderful to see the standard coming so high with these junior riders.
Greenaway Homes CDI-Y Team Test
The CDI-Y Young Rider Team Test was won by Jessica Dertell and a very appealing liver chestnut stallion Kilimanjaro, with the percentage of 70.735%. Just showing her international experience now, riding a wonderful test with very expressive forward thinking trot work and great uphill canter. There is no question this horse continues to get better and better. To see the young riders is so positive and forward thinking with the horses was fantastic. In second place was to Tia Rose McKenzie on Franzisco RW with 66.422%. A very big moving horse but unfortunately several mistakes didn’t help her score. In third place on 63.039% was Heather Snape on Woodside Lady Loxley, better known as Betty! This compact, lively chestnut mare is owned by Mark Darling of Centennial Wines and again a very positive and active test. The young riders are the future of our sport and when you watch them in this class it’s easy to see the talent.
Young Dressage Ponies & Horses
There was no shortage of super talent in the young horse and pony classes. The 4YO Pony went to Karizmah Charleston ridden by Sophie Artup with a 75.2%. Sophie was second with Karizmah Cookie on 73%, while Kaila Simms and Dream Dancer BHI were third on 70%.
In the five-year-old, it was Glenhill Divine Classic on 79.2% for Alison Gill. Glenhill Divine Classic is a truly beautiful pony with expressive and cadenced paces. She was very well shown by Alison and becoming more and more established in the balance and the submission marks as time goes on. This is a treat to watch, and doesn’t she know it!
In the six-year-old it was Mr. Hollywood on 72% again for Alison Gill. Justin Worthy was second and third with Freeman’s Lodge Gigabyte (68.4%) and Broadway De Luxe (65.4%).
In the young horse classes there was some amazing talent. Remi Braveheart for Matthew Lord on 80.6% won the four-year-old class, ahead of Daisy Fielding and Remi Victorias Secret on 80% and Riley Alexander and Glenhill Quatessence on 80%.
Tarcoola Secret Stash won the five-year-old for Rachael Clarke on 79.8%, ahead of Riley Alexander and Glenhill Totil Star (79.2%) and John Thompson with Aber Fashion MI (78.4%).
Mindarah Park Rupert won the six-year-old on 80.8% for Mary Warren, ahead of Jessica Dertell with Osaka (79.6%) and Romany Sanna with Kenlock Majestic Sky (76%).
Senzation for Harvey Besley won the seven-year-old class on 75.416%, ahead of John Thompson and Sicario (72.132%) and Tanisha Ryan with Sevenoaks Fenrys (71.213%).
There were some very highly scored horses and tomorrow will be a very interesting competition to see who comes out on top with an individual test to be ridden. The quality in all the classes was quite outstanding. The five year-old, Tarcoola Secret Stash, by Secret is a delightful character with lots of international presence as is Mindarah Park Rupert ridden by Mary Warren, who pipped one that was very closely watched, the imported Dutch stallion ridden by Jess. Matthew Lord and Braveheart produced a wonderful test in a very strong field. Tomorrow will be very exciting.
