CDI3* Grand Prix Special – Sponsored by The Equidance Partnership, S&J Potter & The Weel Family
The CDI3* Grand Prix Special was a small field of only five horses, with most waiting for Saturday night and the CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle. With an international flavour, it was again New Zealand’s Wendi Williamson and Don Vito MH who won, with a score 65.553%. This gelding has super expressive paces, especially in extended trot. Unfortunately, the piaffe and passage tour was still lacking a real definite rhythm; plenty of cadence, but perhaps needing to be a little more sitting with a free, uphill shoulder. A little mistake in the tempi changes didn’t help her score, but there was some super trot work from this very big, bold and impressive chestnut horse. Of course, Wendi rides full throttle on. It’s exciting to watch, but with that excitement sometimes little mistakes can happen that are costly.
In second place was Callum Park Geneva for Susan Elekessy. A little chestnut pocket rocket with great passage and extended trot tour, and there’s a lot of that in this Special test. She rode tactfully and carefully through the test for a deserved second place with a score of 63.894%. In third with 63.723% was Sue Hearn, an Australian Olympian, on her horse Eminent. Eminent is showing amazing athleticism in the piaffe and passage tour. An absolute delight, and he looks like he will be able to passage forever. A few little mistakes in the rhythm and some tension in a few movements also brought her scores down a little bit. Jodie Dunstan and Hollands Bend Highlander were fourth, and Rozzie Ryan with Bronze Boy R fifth.
Congratulations must go to Wendi, all the way from New Zealand and what a wonderful horse.
Greenaway Homes CDI-J Individual Test
The first CDI class to be completed on Friday was the CDI Junior Individual Test. The going in the outdoor was a little sloppy but firm enough, and again Shiva Wiedermann and Hollands Bend Regalite came out on top as they did in Thursday’s Team Test. They scored 69.363%, a great percentage. It was a very even and consistent test with lovely connection between leg and hand, and a harmonious test throughout. Seriously consistent and well ridden, a deserving winner being unanimous with all judges.
In second place was Phenomenon for Tia Rose McKenzie, handing in a much better test from Thursday where she finished sixth, coming up to second today. A very impressive brown horse with beautiful, elastic paces. No real mistakes today and a highlight was the trot work. Phenomenon certainly shows great expression. A good score of 67.892%.
In third place on 66.961% was Jake Parbery. As always, a very harmonious, tall and elegant rider on the lovely horse Just Dance. This is certainly a combination that draws the eye and the test was very well ridden with empathy.
One to also catch the eye and a newcomer to the group is Millie (Millicent) Fletcher and Amsterdam, the glorious live chestnut horse with super expressive paces and fabulous changes. This is a combination that is certainly going to push the leaderboard along once they gain more experience. It’s nice to see such fabulous horses and riding in this Junior class. It was a treat to watch.
Motion Equine Centre Intermediate B
This class was held on the outdoor arenas where there had been considerable rain overnight and so the going was fairly sloppy to say the least. Remi Vigneron for Matthew Lord was on early in the draw and won the class on a 68.378%, with David McKinnon second on Hollands Bend Rococo (67.568%). As yesterday in the Inter A, both tests were well ridden. Remi Vigneron was looking a little tired today and lacking pizzazz – but correct and no mistakes. Rococo was her usual fiery self and keen to do the job. David made a great ride. Two really good horses for the future.
In third place was Maddison Foster, the daughter of Grand Prix rider Lynda Foster. Maddie is a very elegant rider and Revelwood Desmond is a very generous horse with a great attitude towards his work. Maddie is just learning the ropes at this level and certainly doing a good job, with a score of 66.171%. Certainly a mark not to be sneezed at, and one horse that we look forward to seeing at Grand Prix.
Jill Cobcroft CDI1* Intermediate I
This class was held in the indoor at SIEC, where the surface is now super. They’ve added some more fibre to it and a little more sand, and it looks really impressive. Riders are really enjoying the ride.
The winner was Matthew Dowsley on the bay gelding TS Firestorm with the score of 69.118%. The test was seamless; the preparation and positioning for all movements was beautifully done. There was not a mistake throughout the entire test, with clean straight changes that were very collected, well produced pirouettes both left and right, and the zigzag was well ridden with fluency. The final extended trot was a bit of a highlight.
Two 71% scores and a 68% from the front, and a 67% and 65% from the sides – the latter score at B had everyone’s head spinning a little. For this judge, the first 12 horses in this class only differed by around 2%, from 63% to 65%. It’s a little difficult to think that the spread of marks between 12 horses of this level can only be between 63% and 65%. The head of the ground jury, between first and 12th, had a 10% difference.
All that aside, Matthew Dowsley’s test was a pleasure to watch. On asking Matthew his thoughts about the test, he commented: “Gino (as he’s called) is the most level-headed and beautiful horse to train. He gives his very best every time you ride him, and he doesn’t change from competition to competition. I’ve never been one for over-facing my horses in competition. I love to train them. I love to take my time and make it so that they have a very good balance and understanding before they make it to Grand Prix.
“Gino is very tall and it’s taken me some time to organise his balance so he’s able to show his potential. I really believe that the Inter I test I rode [Friday] was the best I’ve done with him and I couldn’t be more happy. I also need to say that having owners like Cheryl Brown, who owns Gino, is an absolute delight and to produce a test like that at the Sydney CDI is really worth all the effort and training that goes into it. I can’t get hung up on marks. I never have. I just have to do the best I can with the horse under me and take the marks that the judges see fit to give me and that’s fine.”
In second place was Jembrae Rattle N Hum for Tanisha Ryan, an extremely leggy, big and bold forward-moving horse (67.529%).
Third was a young rider, Angelina Thompson on Arnage Royal Edition with 66.882%. A big bay horse that produces a very steady test. Perhaps for the bigger marks, to be able to show more adjustability and suppleness in the lateral work would help. Fourth was Alexis Hellyer with Fidibus. A couple of little mistakes in the changes and transitions spoiled her marks. Then Sheridyn Ashwood on Ashwood Park Prescott, who have been knocking on the door for some time to put a test together; they managed to do this very well today. The winner from the Prix St Georges, Vellvit for Brett Parbery, unfortunately had some mistakes in the changes and a few miscommunications in the rein back today, and the end of the zigzag really brought his marks down. All great horses and truly worth following.
EBM Insurance & Risk – CDI-U25 Grand Prix
Hannah Rockwell with Beaumann’s Diorella, a beautiful little spunky bay, won the CDI Under 25 Grand Prix with the percentage of 64.821%. Some little mistakes in the tempi changes brought her score down a little and there was some lack of balance in some of the passage, but overall, a very tidy test showing great collection, activity, and very well positioned and ridden throughout by Hannah. She certainly laid down the gauntlet. In second place was Maddison Vallender and Ronan R; the big liver chestnut horse put his best foot forward for this test. A completely mistake free test and as always Maddie riding accurately and with empathy and tact, as Ronan often has his own agenda during the test. These two have a great communication and they really put together a fantastic test for 62.846%. In third place was Remi Lauries Joy for Danielle McMahon on 62.213%.
These three riders certainly made the most of what they have; very well trained all of them, and very well ridden with the tests beautifully prepared and presented. It’s a shame to see some of the marks not truly reflecting this.
The Tupper Family CDI-Ch Preliminary A
Another class for the CDI section was the CDI Childrens, and again what a fabulous class. It’s incredible the talent in these lower ranks and a win to Isla Oxley with 74.75% on a horse called Enbarr, a beautiful brown horse who is very consistent and easy-going. In second place was Milla Greenaway and SPB Robert Redford (72%). What a fancy pony, chestnut with plenty of bling and the cutest rider with plenty of get up and go. A really well ridden test and very close behind Isla. In third was Taylor McMaster on Adloo Reeba, with the percentage of 70.375%. How amazing to see these three riders scoring over 70%; it’s a credit to the training and coaching within Australia and the talent that comes with these child riders.
Greenaway Homes CDI-Y Individual Test
If there’s a class at the Sydney CDI to watch, it would have to be the young riders… absolutely amazing, talented riders and horses and a real standout. The winner from Victoria was Jessica Dertell on the stallion Kilimanjaro, scoring 70.686%. This is an expressive uphill moving horse beautifully ridden in front of the rider and real a delight to watch. Harmonious from the beginning to the end with huge scope in the trot and a big canter.
In second place was Franzisco RW for Tia Rose McKenzie. This bay gelding is compact and leggy with huge expensive paces. Tia is also a rider with great credibility, having also been to Germany last year (as did Jess), competing and representing Australia. The experience gained over there holds her in good stead and Tia rides with great confidence. A score of 67.255%.
Closely behind was Heather Snape and Woodside Lady Loxley on 66. 569%. This mare, known as Betty, is extremely enthusiastic in all her work. Sometimes a little too enthusiastic! She is huge in character and really keeps Heather on her toes to ride the best out of her. A great test and great camaraderie and competitiveness amongst all these young riders, who are all super talented.
Equestrian NSW CDI-P Individual Test
Again, it was Reitlands Obama for Abby Weel that won this Pony class, scoring 68.829%. This pony is a bay pocket rocket with enormous paces and the ability to collect and extend. Abby rode a very accurate and correct test. Her ability to prepare for all the movements was very evident and transitions were clear. A well-deserved percentage.
On asking Abby about her pony, she said: “I love him! He’s a real trier and forward thinking, but he goes how you ride him. I have to make certain that I really use transitions and half halts to make certain I have him on my aids and have him in a good balance so he can do each movement. He’s teaching me so much and I can’t wait to progress in the sport and hopefully with some more horses. That being saidm, I’d never want to really give up Obama, he’s my best friend! I’m very lucky!”
In second place was Mr Buck Meister on 67.207% for Marley Yates. A really clean and clear test, ridden very well by Marley and a great score that pushed Abby along in this competition.
In third place was Isabella Anderson and Boronia Applause on 62.252%.
This CDI-P classes are relatively new here in Australia and some really wonderful tests was shown. The numbers aren’t strong at the moment, but gaining great popularity as you only have to look at the young pony classes and the ponies getting around competing now are really increasing the standard!
Assistance Dogs Australia CDN Intermediate I
The CDN Inter I had a very classy horse at the top of the field. The black mare Desiree IMP, a 14-year-old by Desperado, won the class with 69.951% for Kayla Simms. This was only the mare’s third Inter I test. Not only is she just a fabulous dressage horse, but also she has produced two foals here at this competition: Totil Bliss, who was Reserve Champion in the Advanced, and another competing here in the young classes. He’s also been very successful up to Elementary as a young horse. On asking Kayla about this mare, her reply was:
“She’s a little spicy and a little tricky at times. She tends to hold her breath and not be able to relax into her rhythm. Doing this sometimes she gets a little behind my leg but when she is on song, she is truly beautiful. I was very pleased with her Inter I test. I made a little mistake in the pirouette thinking I didn’t want to make it too small and get out of balance… and I let it get a little too big. Desiree is really coming on now and she gave me a beautiful ride. I was very excited getting nearly 70%; there’s plenty of room for improvement and I really love riding this mare for owners Anne and Tim Riley.
In second place on 66.912% was Katina Smith on her very own homebred and trained BC Chilli Pepper. Second Thursday in the Prix St Georges and second Friday in the Inter I. A very expressive chestnut gelding with plenty of pizzazz and a lot to love about this combination. In third position was Jessica Skinner on Burrowa Bashar with 66.275%. This test was done on the outdoor arena that was still a little soggy from the torrential rain the night before.
Palm Beach Motor Yachts CDN Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Lisel Dingley and Carousel Oasis: 65.520%
2. Sheridyn Ashwood and Ashwoods Chocolate Fondue: 61.93%
3. Amanda Jakins and Artes Lauries Gift: 60.12%
Young Horses & Ponies
Carolyn Lieutenant 4YO Young Horse – Round 2
1. Maddison Allan and Rosetta December: 91%
2. Matthew Lord and Remi Braveheart: 84.8%
3. Daisy Fielding and Remi Victoria’s Secret: 83%
Motion Equine Centre 5YO Young Horse – Round 2
1. Deon Stokes and MP Phoenix Rising: 78.4%
2. Riley Alexander and Glenhill Totil Star: 78.2%
3. John Thompson and Zaire Mi: 77.4%
Australian Equestrian Incentive Events 6YO Young Horse – Round 2
1. Sophia Redenbach and Hollands Bend Francine: 80%
2. Rodney Martin and Emillio: 77%
3. Harvey Besley and Borderview Sapporo: 76.8%
Australian Equestrian Incentive Events 6YO Young Horse – Round 2
1. Harvey Besley and Senzation: 73.5%
2. Zanna Northam and Bloomers Sundance: 70.99%
3. John Thompson and Sicario: 69.829%
Assistance Dog Australia 4YO Young Pony – Round 2
1. Kaila Simms and Dream Dancer BHI:77.4%
2. Sophie Artup and Karizmah Charleston: 75.2%
3. Sophie Artup and Karizmah Cookie: 73%
Assistance Dog Australia 5YO Young Pony – Round 2
1. Alison Gill and Glenhill Divine Classic: 78.2%
Assistance Dog Australia 6YO Young Pony – Round 2
1. Alison Gill and Glenhill Mr. Hollywood: 79%
2. Justin Worthy and Broadway De Luxe: 71%
3. Justin Worthy and Freeman’s Lodge Gigabyte: 69.2%
