Jayden Brown and Davinci L, winners of the PSG.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
By Roger Fitzhardinge
Day one began with the Medium 4B test, and the first out was the impressive Smash Hit gelding Silmarillion E ridden by Robbie McKinnon. Chilled, elegant and full of harmony, they scored 70.676% — which was going to be a hard score to run down. This horse has very expressive paces and great cadence in the trot. Robbie rides so well.
Niki Rose had a good ride on the very tall black horse, Mr Wadlow. It looks so easy for this combination on 65.743%. Deon Stokes and Riverndell Solitaire had some impressive parts to their test to score a 65.676%.
It was Robbie all the way to win, from the beginning to the end. In second place was Deborah Oliver and Highfields Bella Vista. Third place was awarded to Niki Rose and Dudansa, and then Elloise Devlin and Brimstone Florente. The class was strong in numbers, with the first two horses in the 70% range, and then 67% awarded to the third combination. These impressive scores showcased the quality of work here. It was great to see Paralympian Emma Booth, with 64.459% which was midfield. It was also fantastic to see her stepping out of the square from the Para competitions to open level competition. What a rider!
The Prix St Georges class was, as always, a very strong one indeed, and the early leader was Bradgate Park Puccini and Michelle Baker, sitting on 70.08%. Brett Parbery was hot on her heels, but not quite good enough today. Sky Diamond, being a stallion and new to this level, did become distracted on several occasions, especially in the canter pirouettes where he really wanted to get them over and done with. A mistake in the walk to canter transition and then again at the end of the extended canter to the flying change resulted in a big loss of marks in those movements. However, when he gets his mind on the job it will be a mighty impressive combination.
It was Jayden Brown and Davinci L who went on to lead the Prix St Georges class with an amazing score of 73.942%. A great test for this big black horse, which shows great rhythm and balance throughout the test, from beginning to end, and what a whopping score. Controlled collection, energy and expression.
One of the horses that was hot on the tails of the leaders at last week’s competition was Senator Nymphenburg. Today was not his day, and a few little issues in the indoor resulted in some costly mistakes and instead of a score over 70%, they only managed 64.8%. How things can change in this sport!
Sheridyn Ashwood and Chocolate Fondue scored a 68.647%, placing them up there with the top scores. Plenty of money on the up and coming rider and horse, Woodside Lady Loxley and Dave McKinnon, who scored 67.147%, but not quite cutting the mustard today on this super little bright and breezy mare by Lord of Loxley.
Last to go was Gitte Donvig and Harmonie W, who scored 68.912% for fourth place. So a convincing win again for Jayden Brown, and second to BP Puccini for Michelle Baker, who is bolting to Sydney tonight to receive the EA award for coach of the year. Third was awarded to Brett Parbery and Sky Diamond, who is a new horse belonging to Terry Snow. The Prix St Georges was a super class, and produced some outstanding results.
Robbie McKinnon and Silmarillion E, winners of the Medium 4B.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
In the Advanced test, it was Brimstone Florente and Elloise Devlin who were on first. The well-presented combination scored 67.342%. The big chestnut Mindarah Park Ramirus and Mary Warren had a great show here last week. A few mistakes in the sequence changes, but overall a neat test for a young horse at this level. The combination received a score of 63.64%.
The new advanced tests are interesting, and riders and judges are still getting their heads around a few of the new lines in the test. For example, the canter on the diagonal, the 1/4 pirouette movement and the three-four tempi changes.
Harvey Besley and Derreen Rock n Roller certainly made a very honest and relaxed test, looking very professional – what a good job indeed. A horse that looked promising as a young horse is now becoming more honest and confident. The test was well ridden by Harvey, who obviously has struck up a good rapport with this horse. The scores here are not so high, as it is a very telling test, with the movements coming up quick and certainly not easy to gather in some marks, especially after a few glitches. There were some promising horses in this class but the majority of the marks had fallen away in the sequence changes, the collection in the canter and the working pirouettes, which resulted in some costly mark deductions.
Elloise Devlin and the stunning chestnut, Brimstone Florente, stayed in the lead for the duration of the Advanced class, with a score of 67.3%. Second place was awarded to Harvey Besley. Third was awarded to Robert Schmerglatt and CP Starbucks. Fourth went to Michelle Baker and Bradgate Park Amadeus, who received 65.5%. Following close behind was Niki Rose and Dudansa, who is definitely a combination to keep your eyes on. Overall, a great class.
In the Inter II it was Susan Elekessy and Don Rubin who won with 67.8%. Sheridan Ashwood and Ferrero Chocolate Box where close behind, with 66.4%. Lesley-Anne Taylor claimed third place with 63.4%.
In the Inter A it was Neversfelde Springbok a winner again, with 64.9% from Bree Tillitzki and Fursten Hit.
It was a great day of competition and the weather and the friendliness was at an all time high, but it has been a long week since the start of the first test and another three days to go. Some horses are really coming into their own with the two shows, and some are showing little signs of feeling a tad weary. There is a lot to learn about saving horses for the competition, especially when it is as long as this one. Needless to say what a great experience, and what a great venue and show it is here at the wonderful Willinga Park!
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