Jess Manson and Misty Isle Raconteur
The second running of the Equine Sports Breeding Young Event Horse Challenge was held indoors on the Thursday evening of the 2016 Melbourne International 3 Day Event.
Prior to introducing the judges the sponsor of the class, Vanessa Hawkins of ESB, spoke about her eventing breeding programme started some 30 years ago and how, in current times, there are many more purpose bred horses as competitors become more critical and objective in their requirements. Mention was also made of a generous offer by ESB whereby any 2016 Melbourne 3DE competitor who registers interest on www.ESBhorses.com by the end of June will go into a draw to purchase an ESB youngster at a 50% discount price.
The expert panel of judges consisted of Sharon Ridgeway, 4 Star eventer and bloodstock agent, renowned veterinary surgeon Denis Goulding and Olympic eventer, coach, judge, you name it he’s done it, pillar of the sport Barry Roycroft.
This popular event was well supported with good entries in three separate age groups. The potential (or in some cases proven) young event horses was judged out of a score of 100 broken down into five categories a) Movement and type b) Rideability c) Scope d) Technique e) General Impression.
After reporting to the panel each combination rode a set workout displaying walk, trot and canter with a strong canter following the jumping round over a mixed course of coloured rails and solid portable cross-country fences.
As an avid follower of breeds and bloodlines it was interesting to note the statistics in each group. The 4 year old section consisted of three thoroughbreds, three warmbloods and four TB x WB with first place going to Eliza Bullen’s TB Dark Venture by Hard Spun (above). Judges felt that the combination was neat throughout with the gelding being well educated with an acceptable frame for a 4 year old into a steady contact.
In the 5 year old class we saw five thoroughbreds, three warmbloods and four TB x WB. The winner turned out to be Nat Davies’ mare Lucrezia Elmare by Copabella Visage (below). Sharon Ridgeway felt that they were a “nice bunch of 5 year olds” Dennis Goulding explained that he was looking for “an athletic, calm nice jumping horse and was impressed with what he had seen especially in the 5 year old class”. Barry Roycroft stated that there were some quality horses with “the winner being beautifully presented, ridden professionally and filling the criteria. Others showed type and athleticism and I look forward to seeing them in a year’s time”.
The spectators continued to flow in enjoying the open bar and Top Foda sponsored sausage sizzle as the final class came forward. The 6 year old class was the largest with 15 entries comprising five thoroughbred, five warmbloods, four WB X and one Irish Sport Horse. The top honour went to the Nicholson family’s gelding Misty Isle Raconteur ridden by Jess Manson from Western Australia. By Royal Hit this attractive good moving youngster was ridden to second place in the 5 year old class last year by Sonja Johnson.
Jess and Misty Isle Raconteur also competed in the CCI1*
The judges panel gave an overall summary of the event to finish with Sharon commenting that “the top end showed good quality”, Denis saying that “It was good to see the winner of the final class coming through from last year” and finally Barry stating that “the 5 year olds were probably the strongest class for 2016” and that he felt many of the youngsters “were overbent rather than allowing openness in the gullet and a more natural outline”.
Take note those planning to enter the Equine Sports Breeding Young Event Horse Challenge in 2017!
Article by Sue Tufnell, Tullow Stud
