Rodney Martin and SS Dante
The day that so many people have been waiting for started with Wagners Elementary Championships with 35 horses in both classes. The field was so strong it was hard to decide which horses to watch. I may as well have picked them out of a hat! Unfortunately I missed the Champion, Rodney Martin on the Australian warmblood, SS Dante (owned by Andrea Beatty), who scored 74.915 in the 3D and 71.292 in the 3C BUT I did get see the Reserve Champion, Emma Flavelle on the very impressive Holstein gelding Cabaret C (owned by Caitlin Cullen). They scored 71.625 in the 3C and 69.786 in the 3D. The other very impressive combination was Lisa Martin on her imported mare, First Famous. This horse has been turning heads wherever they go, and deservedly so!
The first freestyle of the day was the I.R.T Advanced Freestyle Championship. The third combination to hit the high sixties was Denise Rogan on her 8 year-old gelding, Virtuel I. The music was at times haunting and the beat suited her horse to a 'T'. Together they scored 67.708, which put them in the lead. Denise managed to hold that position until Jacqueline Lancaster on Lancaster Wines Diamantina entered the arena. They did a beautiful flowing test which was enough to score 67.917, only .2 of a point in front of Denise. The last combination Daniella Dierks riding the big moving stallion, Wold Royal, showed how impressive power can be when it's contained - it was a joy to watch! They easily won the class with a whopping score of 73.875.
Daniella Dierks and World Royal
The Para Equestrian Freestyle classes were also part of today's program. Although its difficult to see all your favourite horses and riders I put the extra effort in to see Chelsea Higgins riding Comedian as they broke the 70 mark on Thursday - this is a huge achievement whether your able bodied or not. While watching Chelsea ride a beautiful test I bumped into Denise Rogan who was Chelsea's riding instructor. A couple of years ago Chelsea was an Event rider and had a horrific accident here at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre while jumping a cross country fence. Chelsea ended up in a coma for nine days and then had months of rehabilitation. Determined to keep riding as part of her life, Chelsea decided to compete in Para Equestrian competitions. To have this sort of drive and focus is not only admirable but also inspiring. Congratulations to all the Para Equestrian riders!
In the Pryde's EasiFeed Young Rider Freestyle CDI-Y there were four horses from Victoria, four from Queensland and one from New South Wales. The results of today's competition was totally different to the outcome of yesterday's Young Rider class. Victoria Stuckey from Victoria on Mayfield Miracle came first, second went to the sole rider from NSW, Elisabeth Hulin on Moscow and third went to Queensland rider Rosanna Relton on Four Winds Bombadier - one from each state of the east coast of Australia - everyone happy!
By this stage, good numbers of spectators had started to filter into the equestrian centre looking forward to the two final competitions - the Gow-Gates Intermediate Freestyle and the Pessoa Dressage FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W. Unfortunately it didn't start off well for Brett Parbery on Good as Gold. Even though the horse had one of Australia's best riders onboard, it was obviously unnerved by the atmosphere to the degree that Brett made the decision to retire him from the competition.
Twelve horses later, Brett entered the arena again, this time on the Farrell Family's stallion Aber Hallo 29. This ride was at the other end of the spectrum compared to Brett's first ride. Aber Hallo seems to be a very sensitive horse who needs a very sensitive pilot to contain the energy. Brett did this beautifully. Together they scored 71.700 which put them in the lead. Straight after Brett was Tor van den Berge on Cheryl Obrien's black stallion Lauries As - it was a great example of how when you combine an extremely competent rider on an extremely talented horse (and it all goes to plan), the result is impressive. Impressive enough to win the competition, scoring 71.925. The last horse into the arena was Robbie Soster on Robali Razzamattazz. They too showed how it should be done, scoring 70.275 which was enough to secure third place.
Mary Hanna and Sancette Photo courtesy Franz Venhaus
The Pessoa Dressage FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W was always going to be interesting as last years winner, Maree Tomkinson on Diamantina, would be up against Sheridyn Ashwood and Prestige VDL who won all three GP classes at the 2013 Sydney CDI (which Maree and Diamantina didn't compete at). Not only that, the field also included the likes of Mary Hanna, Rozzie Ryan, Heath Ryan and numerous other riders that have been steadily improving over the past year.
As we all know it only takes a couple of small mistakes or a bad day and the results can change dramatically. This and that is pretty much what happened. By the end of the night, Mary Hanna and Sancette who placed sixth in the Grand Prix CDI-W on Friday managed to secure 1st place with a very exciting ride - full of energy, expression and engagement - together they scored 70.850. Second went to Sheridyn Ashwood on Prestige VDL, scoring 70.225 and third went to the very correct and entertaining Heath Ryan and his black stallion, Regardez Moi, with a score of 69.550.
It was a long day of dressage at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre - personal bests were made, new horses made it to the podium, objectives were achieved and lots of boots were polished.
Article by Scott Pollock
