The first competition of the 2013 Sydney CDI started at 8.15am in the indoor arena – Needs for Steeds FEI Prix St Georges. It was a large class with 34 horse and rider combinations. Throughout the day, the top six places changed regularly but at the end of the day, it was a competition between four horses and two riders. Brett Parbery and Tor Van Den Berge have battled it out a number of times and today was no different. Brett and DP Weltmieser (70.737 - owned by Susan Duddy) ended up pipping Tor and Lauries As (70.263 - owned by Cheryl O’Brien) at the post. Third went to Brett and Aber Hallo 29 (67.605 - owned by the Farrell family) and fourth went to Tor and Donna Bonita (66.105 - owned by Kaz Roe). A mighty battle it was!
Winners are grinners! The PSG presentation Photo: Franz Venhaus
One of the great competitions of the day was the Under 25 FEI Intermediate II. Out of the five horses competing, One had been competing at this level for a few years, two for a couple of years and for the remaining two this was their first year competing. It was inspiring to see the improvement in Alexis Hellyer on Waca W. This is only their second year doing Big Tour and the improvement in her Piaffe was considerable – well done! This was enough to put her in second place with a score of 65.447, which was just enough to beat her boyfriend, Elliot Patterson on Leandro (62.842 - this is their first season at Big Tour so Alexis better watch out). First place went to Queensland rider, Jayden brown and his beautifully conformed horse, Furst Friedrich, scoring 65.632. This is a great combination to watch – the horse is so on the aids. This was great effort as it also their first year competing at this level.
Flora Freeman, who has been following Young Horse classes for a number of years gave me an overview of the first round of the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia NSW Young Horse 6yo Championships. “San Andreas with Jayden Brown in the saddle came first scoring 8.30. This quality horse and his experienced rider, showed his best qualities. He has been brought through the levels on the correct training path, and gave Jayden a lovely ride. Australia will miss this great combination, if the gelding goes to Germany to be sold!”. Second was Milford Dominique, ridden by Glenda De Wit (7.44). “This honest mare showed correct schooling, and was on the right training path for this level.” Third went to Lady Sinatra, ridden by Tor Van Den Berge (7.32), and fourth went to WS Donnerman, ridden by Caroline Wagner (7.24). Flora said, “This gelding showed us a lovely uphill way of going and was another with much potential.” The judges for the first round were, Lesley Sullivan and Pip Longworth. They felt that some of the riders were “playing it too safe”. A number of the horses showed lack of engagement, energy and expression. There were some submission and contact issues, and also some lateral submission issues.
The Birds Equisports Prix St Georges (CDN) was won by Rachael Downs on her very impressive gelding, Albert. The higher the level he competes at, the harder he seems to beat. This isn’t that surprising considering he is by Jaybee Alabaster out of Yardley Aphrodite – on both these horses Rachael won numerous Grand Prix classes for a number of years. She must be thrilled.
The Grand Prix presentation Photo: Franz Venhaus
By the time the Pryde’s EasiFeed Grand Prix (CDI), a good number of spectators had gathered at Arena 1 to watch Australia’s best horse and riders tackle the complexity of the Grand Prix test. To ensure the winner was filmed, the cameraman had to video 5 combinations as the outcome was not predictable. This year, it was Queensland rider Sheridyn Ashwood on her stallion, Prestige VDL, scoring 68.851. You could tell Sheridyn was happy as she punched the air after her final halt. Second went to David Shoobridge on his black stallion, OO Seven (67.702) and third went to Nadia Coghlan on her gelding, Carlyle with a score of 66.894.
Tomorrow will be just as enjoyable with the second round of the Young Horse classes, the Under 25 Grand Prix, the Young Rider Individual Test and the Grand Prix Special. The gates will open around 8am, ready for the first horse to enter the arena at 8.30am.
Hope to see you here.
The Sydney CDI – Where all the Stars Gather – Be part of it.
For all the results and information visit: www.sydneycdi.com
Article by Scott Pollock
