Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina Photo: Franz Venhaus
Some say that reporting on the weather during a dressage event is not warranted but when there is no wind, big blue skies and the temperature is twenty five then I beg to differ. These perfect conditions helped to ensure all involved were in for an enjoyable day.
The 2012 Australian Young Rider Champion, Fern Wright (VIC), was back to defend her title onboard her spunky Welsh Cob, Kamber Pryderi. This didn't eventuate in this year's Pryde's EasiFeed Young Rider Individual Test CDI-Y. The competition was tough and a lot of these young riders had obviously been working hard over the last year. This year the Champion was Victorian rider Morgan Duell on Florinzz, scoring 68.070. Second went to Queensland rider Rossana Relton on Four Winds Bombadier with a score of 66.798 and third went to another Victorian rider, Victoria Stuckey on Mayfield Miracle scoring 66.579 - only 1.5 points the difference between the top three.
Tor van den Berge and Lauries As Photo: Julie Wilson
The second Small Tour competition, the Mulawa performance Intermediate I, was held in the indoor arena. Yesterday’s winner of the Prix St Georges, Janina Kletke, was not entered in this class, which meant the placings would be different. If you look at recent history of the Small Tour classes, on numerous occasions, it has been a battle between NSW rider Brett Parbery and QLD rider Tor van den Berge. This year it was slightly different as two of Australia's female riders managed to squeeze pass Brett and secure second and third place. Tor van den Berge won on Lauries As (owned Cheryl O’Brien) with a score of 69.553, second went to NSW rider Robbie Soster on her effervescent gelding Robali Razzamattazz (68.921). Third went to Victoria Welch on her big impressive grey gelding, Glogau (68.868) and fourth to Brett Parbery on the Farrell's stallion Aber Hallo 29, scoring 68.079.
Robbie Soster and Robali Razzamattazz Photo: Franz Venhaus
The Agnes Banks Equine Clinic Grand Prix CDN competition started at 10am with twelve combinations competing. Jayden Brown from Queensland who earlier this year competed at the Young Horse World Championships in Verden, rode a beautiful test on his horse Furst Friedrich (aka Freddy) which was enough to secure him first place with a score of 66.340. Jayden and Freddy have only been competing Big Tour for a year and to date the improvement has been considerable. Jayden has incredible concentration which allows him to ride every movement stride by stride which of course results in what seems like a seamless test.
Jayden Brown and Furst Friedrich Photo: Julie Wilson
The calibre of horses competing in the I.R.T Advanced 5B and 5C Championship were quite impressive which is very promising for the future of dressage in Australia. The field of competitors included numerous riders that have represented Australia Internationally - Mary Hanna, Matthew Dowsley, Judy Dierks and Diane Jenkin. There were also many riders from state and national squads. This year the IRT Advanced Champion went to Daniella Dierks (NSW) on the big moving World Royal owned by Belcam Stud and Dierks Training Centre. Second was the very popular Nicole Tough from Queensland on Furst Tyme, and third went Daniela's mother, Judy Dierks onboard Diamond Star owned by Vicky Newham
The last competition of the day was the Australian Sports Commission FEI Grand Prix CDI-W. Half way through the field, Queensland rider Anjanette Harten riding UQG Alladin did a very consistent test, scoring 66.809. This was enough to put her in the lead. Next combination to enter the arena was four time Olympian, Mary Hanna, on her 2012 Olympic mount Sancette. Although the test was full of energy and scored some high marks for particular movements it wasn't strong enough to take the lead. As usual it wasn't till the last five competitors that things changed. Rozzie Ryan and GV Bullwinkle owned by Olivia Bunn came third, scoring 67.362, second went to Sheridyn Ashwood on the powerful stallion, Prestige VDL scoring 67.766. The final combination, Maree Tomkinson onboard the flash moving Diamantina IV, managed to secure first with a score of 67.957. Diamantina is owned by Maree and Lyn Sultana. With such a close finish tomorrow’s Freestyle is bound to be a beauty!
Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina Photo: Julie Wilson
If you haven't yet visited the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships then tomorrow may be the day to resolve this. The program is full with the first horse entering the arena at 8.15am and the last horse leaving the arena late in the evening. The program includes the following:
- Wagners Elementary Championships (8.15am-2.38pm) -Arena 2A/B
- International Racehorse Transport Advanced Freestyle (10.00am-12.32pm) Indoor Arena
- Para Equestrian Freestyle Competitions (10.00am-12.50pm) Arena 1A
- Pryde's EasiFeed FEI Young Rider Freestyle CDI-Y (1.00pm-2.23pm) Indoor Arena
- Trailrace Young Horse Qualifier for 4-year-old horses (10.00am-11.50am) Arena 8
- Gow-Gates Intermediate Freestyle (4.00pm-6.24pm) Indoor Arena
- Entertainment - Luke THomas Outback Show from 6.30pm Indoor Arena
- Pessoa Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W (7.30pm-9.40pm) Indoor Arena
Hope to see you there!
Article by Scott Pollock
