In just under six weeks the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships will be held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre. Undoubtedly, the highlight of this event will be the Grand Prix competition. Over the past few years, there has been a number of new horse and rider combinations, which have taken centre stage at this elite level. The likes of Rachel Downs and Jaybee Alabaster, Brett Parbery and Victory Salute, Chantal Wigan and Ferero, are no longer in the running, making way for new Australian Grand Prix competitors.
This year, it seems it will be a battle between the women, although Heath Ryan on Regardez Moi and Utopian Cardinal, and David Shoobridge on 00 Seven could give them a run for their money.
I managed to catch up with three of the main contenders to try and get a glimpse of what can be expected.
Mary Hanna and Sancette
"Sancette is a bay 17hh Hanoverian gelding by Sandro Hit out of the Contender mare, Cascade. We have competed successfully at national and international level and were selected for the 2012 London Olympic Games. I am currently aiming to compete at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy."
Where did you find him?
"I was looking for a horse two years before the London Olympics. A friend showed me a video of Sancette which I was impressed by. He was owned and trained by Steffen Peters. It was a long way to go to look at one horse but I was interested in meeting Steffen and see how he trained so I thought it was worth a try. I was suitably impressed by both Sancette and Steffen so I decided to buy the horse and as a result I stayed and trained with him. It was two months later that I brought Sancette back to Australia."
What is the best quality or characteristic of Sancette?
"He is an incredibly supple and athletic horse. He's like a dancer. Beautiful to sit on, he sucks you into the saddle, it's like riding on air!
What is Sancette's strongest movement in the Grand Prix?
"His trot work would have to be his strongest. He has a lot of spring and is incredibly expressive. I think his forte is his extensions and half pass."
What is his weakest movement?
"Although his actual canter is good, he needs a lot of collection exercises to keep him balanced."
Name one horse and rider combination which you think will be the one to beat in the Grand Prix?
"It could be any one at the moment. There's a lot of good horses out there. It's also a long journey to Grand Prix and the Nationals, we'll have to wait and see what happens."
Describe Sancette in a sentence?
He has taken over my life. I know I shouldn't allow it but he has gotten under my skin. Most of my waking hours is spent on thinking how I can keep him happy!"
Sheridyn Ashwood and Prestige VDL
"Prestige VDL or Mr P as we call him was champion of his stallion test in Sweden with scores of 8 for walk, 8 for trot and 10 for canter. From the test riders he was awarded 9 for his gaits and 9 for his dressage potential. His sire is Silvano N who was at the Sydney Olympics for the Dutch team, and his Dam is Lavendel Keur. He's 16 years old, 16.3 hh and luckily we own him outright!"
Where did you find him?
"Prestige was purchased out of NZ and It was love at first sight. I overcame many hurdles to get this magnificent fellow. For one, I was 6th on the waiting list to view him and I didn't even have a passport! All my stars somehow aligned and he was flown straight into Brisbane airport within the week. (Apparently that is a once a year flight and there was a spot within days we decided to purchase him, I think Mr P arrived home the day after we arrived back from NZ........Talk about luck!"
What is the best quality or characteristic of Prestige?
"It's a long list but I think he is the perfect horse to look at and extremely rideable. I love everything about him. He has the kindest temperament and the most explosive paces, it's so much fun to ride a horse like that"
What is Prestige's strongest movement in Grand Prix?
"It would have to be his piaffe. He can really sit, and now I can really speed it up if needed. He's improving all the time."
What is his weakest movement?
" I don't think he finds passage hard but I do."
Name one horse and rider combination which you think will be the one to beat in the Grand Prix?
"My good mate Maree and Diamantina"
Describe Prestige in a sentence?
"He thinks he's a celebrity and expects everyone to dote on him all the time and tell him how good he is. He's such a character!"
Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina IV
"Diamantina is an 11 year old mare by Diamond Hit out of a Campari M mare. She is bay with 3 small white socks , 170 cm, and fortunately I own her in partnership with the lovely Lyn Sultana so no one can ever take her off me!"
Where did you find her?
"We found Diamantina in Germany whilst I was there competing at the World Young horse champs with Rodrigo in 2006. She was a 4 year old in training to be sold with Johannes Westendarp. We drove everywhere and looked at so many horses, we specifically wanted a mare with the idea that we could compete her and breed with her so we never would have the need to purchase another expensive horse. I'm not in a position to buy another one if something happens. I had to find or breed a good horse and train it myself. Fortunately I am quite good at that!"
What is the best quality or characteristic of Diamantina?
"Where do I start , Diamantina has so many amazing qualities and so many very difficult ones! She is amazingly beautiful to look at, almost as beautiful as Rodrigo! She is very gentle and sweet to handle. But mostly she is just unbelievable to ride and compete. She has so much power and grace and talent, she is like a big rubber ball of soft powerful energy, She's like nothing I've ever ridden before (and I have ridden hundreds of horses!).
What is Diamantina's strongest movement in Grand Prix?
"I think nearly all her movements are super strong, she has had 9's for changes, passage, pirouettes, extended trot, extended canter. So you pick, I think they are all really strong, now I am just waiting for the brave judge to give her a 10!"
What is her weakest movement?
"I do not think she has a weak movement, I think some things are taking longer than others, the half passes are amazing but have taken time to get really strong, the piaffe has taken the longest to train, she just didn't understand what I was asking for but now she has it and I believe in time it will really be a strength, it's so regular and the transition is so easy and smooth. When she becomes stronger and more balanced, it also will be a 10..... Eventually!"
Name one horse and rider combination which you think will be the one to beat in the Grand Prix?
"The horse and rider to beat in the GP will be Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina, of course!"
Describe Diamantina in a sentence?
"Beauty, power and grace. A once in a lifetime opportunity that I am eternally grateful for."
Wow! What a collection of amazing horses and women. And to think that there's still more combinations like Rozzie Ryan and GV Bullwinkle, and Caroline Wagner and Tango V. Heath Ryan and David Shoobridge you have a big job at hand to keep a male on the dais! Maybe Tor Van Den Berge on Fishermans Friend may be able to help.
Make time to enjoy the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre from the 23rd to the 27th October 2013.
For more information CLICK HERE
Article: Scott Pollack
Photos: Franz Venhaus
