David McKinnon and Boulevard.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Roger Fitzhardinge recaps DJWTS PSG Cup
The class of Thursday was for sure the Complete Fire Supply Co Prix St Georges Cup. A truly wonderful group of horses in front of Marian Cunningham (Peru), Jane Ventura (Australia) and Mary Seefried (Australia). Unfortunately the weather before the competition started, saw a thunderstorm that led to a very damp arena with puddles! The worst being in a corner at M, and with the counter canter and flying change at C, seeing many a good test ruined, but that is the nature of the sport. Mother Nature has her own agenda!
The most outstanding test was handed in from Boulevard and David McKinnon. This imported chestnut gelding by Bordeaux and owned by Kylie Riddell and John Taylor handed in a test that was mistake free, expressive, and above all a pleasure to witness. The harmony and obvious connection between horse and rider was so apparent. The two made their way through the test with consummate ease and what set them apart from the rest was the attention to lines and transitions. The corners and the adjustability. This exuberant and expressive combination wowed the judges. Well two of the three! 75.441% and first, 77.353% and first and 69.853% to be fourth. An overall percentage of 74.216% saw them ahead of Brett Parbery and the imported stallion Iresias L, owned by Sarah Hanslow.
I am sure the wet surfaces did not help Brett’s riding of keeping the stallion’s engagement. The changes were still not truly straight but somewhat in half pass in the counter changes of hand in the sequences, but needless to say all through albeit not truly straight as yet. Iresias L is a stallion of great talent but an overall uphill impression with a less active hind leg that is prepared to sit and take the weight with a more uphill way of going will see the stallion’s marks improve. A real talent in the making.
In third was Mary Hanna riding CJP Sir Dragonfire II. Mary has not had the ride for so long and the partnership looks still a little green. Such a really fluent and easy horse to watch, but a few submission problems with him wanting to not always stay up and to the contact made Mary’s job not so easy…..Watch this space.
In fourth place was Intro K, with Kate Kyros. What a stunning combination and only their fourth ever PSG test. A major glitch with the puddle at M in the counter canter resulted in a very very low mark that cruelled their performance. What a wonderful combination and the youngest rider in the class riding their fourth ever PSG test! One to look out for in the future.
Then was Sonic K and Karen Blythe and a consistent test with no real mistakes, but lacking the real thoroughness and adjustability. Sonic K is coming in to his own now and gaining the confidence to show his potential.
Sixth was Tori Luxford and Revelwood Animation by Ampere, and what a talented mare but just lacking that real adjustability and confidence. Then came the favourite Ibicus with Caroline Wagner, who had come to the competition with big scores. This Apache gelding shows great ambition but here the canter was lacking in activity and true collection. A horse and rider combination with a really big future; a ninth, 11th and a third was a little confusing!
Sara McDonald and Adlanta Marcella by Metallic seems to be gaining in confidence and going from strength to strength. A truly solid regular mover whose suppleness is starting to shine.
This class was a superb group of talented Small Tour horses and the race is on to see the progress to Grand Prix. The general feeling was that Boulevard was an obvious winner, as the harmony and trust here was quite exemplary. What a fantastic showing and what a great group of horses heading towards Medium Tour.
Well done to all the horses riders and connections and to the sponsors of the class Complete Fire Supply Co.
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