For the past 9 years, this event has been sponsored by the Holsteiner Horse Association of Australia Ltd. in the interest of promoting the Warmbloods, by giving breeders and  performance horse enthusiasts the opportunity to showcase their horses in led-in classes and also performance classes.   The Holsteiner Horse Association has a very hard working and dedicated committee, who work tirelessly to promote the breed. 
I am sure that they would have been disappointed by the number of entries in most of the classes, and even more disappointed by the number of 'no shows'.  I am involved in a couple of Warmblood breed societies, and at meetings we often discuss the possibilities of conducting show classes in order to achieve the objectives stated above. If people do not support the classes that are already put on, such as this one at this, THE most prestigious and largest horse show in the Southern Hemisphere, then much of the work that is done by ALL breed societies is in vain.
I hope that all Warmblood owners and the breeders will take this on board and really get behind the Holsteiner Horse Association's 10th birthday show next year.

The organisers must have been pleased that 'whoever' ordered the weather must have had some 'credits from upstairs' and a delightfully temperate day was delivered.  After the heat wave of Friday and Saturday, the respite allowed horses to be shown in comfort and with every chance to do their best.

Judges:    Mrs. Virginia Creed - International Candidate Dressage Judge & NCAS Instructor.
                Ms Carolyn Earl - C Level Dressage Judge and NCAS Level 2

The judging of this event is usually based on the individual assessment by a panel of three judges, but this year there was a late withdrawal by one judge, leaving the job to the two very experienced and well   qualified ladies. I have included a copy of the requirements for their assessment.   The sheets are handed in immediately after they judge each horse and the decision is announced over the PA.  As a competitor at the event on many occasions, it is a wonderfully 'fair' way to have your horse judged and the independence of the judges decision is assured.  I have included an example of the slips filled in by each judge, for each horse - totalled and added together, this is how the winners and placegetters of each class are determined.

A little hint for organisers next year!! As ALL of the Werribee Park Equestrian Centre was used to set up rings in order to conduct this huge show - the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, I believe! Most of the participants agreed that the harness horses should go right down the end (towards the mansion) and then parking between that ring and the other arenas now adjoining the harness ring.  Many of the handlers of Warmbloods found it extremely difficult to control these large, big moving horses, many of whom were totally 'out of their tree' with the strange sights and sound of the harness events.  The whip cracking stock horse classes have a similar effect.  I can see no reason why a fairly simple change could see these problems avoided.

The program started with the led classes and after the lunch the ridden section.

Class 144: Led Filly Under 2 Years.

Equal First - No. 406 Istvan Cechilia and No. 431 Kaidon Park Jamaica.  Gold Fever, a lovely Donnerheist filly was also shown in this class.

Class 146: Led Filly 2 years old and under 4 years
1 entry only Number 461 Kindara Cleo.

Class 147: Led Mare 4 years and over
Considering the disappointing numbers in many of the classes today, this was a very strong field of mature Warmblood mares.  Although the size and types differed quite considerably, many were of true 'international quality - particularly the winner, who would 'stand her ground' in any company.

No. 197 Chesham Park Rebekah owned by Samantha Downie, was a smaller type by the mini Warmblood stallion Medallion who is by the international superstar May Sherif.  This mare has the most pretty dapples and really suits her owner.

No. 207 Cleopatra ll Owned and shown her today by Barbara Hilsaca - This mare is by Kilof McOhl (dec.). but to my eye she lacked the movement one would really like to see in the performance Warmblood.

No. 324 Geebung Classic Feeling. The Black/Brown, Calypso Classic mare has a very pretty head but today worked on her forehand, and so lacked the lightness and movement of some of the others in this class. She was shown by her owner Sharon Satchell.

No. 88 Baxter Dancing with Time owned and shown by Faye Jasper.  This mare did not first appeal to me - a rather plain bay, but when she moved out she demanded a second look and this time I really liked the impression that I got of her movement and self carriage as a riding horse.  Faye told me that the Mare by Northern Commander ll, had really started to work well and show these qualities under saddle.

No. 748 Nadine O'Sullivan's beautiful chestnut mare Rimini Park Tandara.   This mare was truly lovely, 17 hh with most attractive markings.  Her movement was expressive and big and Suzanne and Nadine must be very pleased with this result of a 20 year breeding program (not that Nadine has been quite so actively involved for that long!)  Tandara is by Zimran (Valuta/Kilof McOhl) and out of a Pfrinzen mare with a dash of arab.   Nadine is currently training the mare and hopes to make her into another Rimini Park Oscar - her very successful FEI dressage horse.

No. 33 APH Adagio owned by, and currently in dressage training with the very popular EFA Dressage Co-Ordinator, Jan Smith from Yan Yean.  Adagio is a an outstanding type with beautiful movement. I asked Jan about her breeding (apart from the obvious, that she was bred by Walter and Libby Sauer at their Australian Performance Horses Stud near Maitland in NSW) and she told me that she is by the thoroughbred stallions Merivale - he has been classified and accepted as a horse suitable to put over Warmblood mares (Foundation Sire) and her dam is the thoroughbred mare Kings Piastra - herself a Warmblood Foundation mare.  So in fact we have a thoroughbred/warmblood.  I have had a number of conversations with Jan and my view that it is such a pity that dressage riders tend to overlook good thoroughbreds believing them to be inferior to Warmbloods - Very often they overlook a beautiful horse that is VERY well suited to the job.

No. 438 Karabiel Park Eve owned by Kerry O'Callaghan.  This mare did not really give herself a chance to show just what she can do, as she was very distracted by the harness horses and stock whips. Kerry was disappointed as the mare has usually excelled in show classes.   She is has both Figaro/Granada in her pedigree, and today the Granada was obvious!

The winner of this class was No. 748 Rimini Park Tandara and second place went to No. 197 Chesham Park Rebekah.

Class 148: Led Gelding under 2 years

There were only two horses in this class and both completely different types.  The winner was the very immature but leggy black frozen semen baby - No. 985 William shown expertly by well known dressage identity Caroline Coleby for his owner J. McPherson.  William is by Wenkstern (by Weltmeyer) and out of Caroline's mare Arabella ll (by King,  the Imported stallion that she handled for a time, and the sire of her very successful dressage horse Lost my Sock)

No. 984 Wilcree Icus was much smaller, and will probably grow into quite a nice horse, but it was difficult to compare them today.

Class Led Gelding 2 years and not over 4

This class was one that had me a little puzzled - there were only two entries, both were there and I found the horse that came second a much more appealing type than the judges' winner.  I guess that sometimes the close inspection is what makes the difference, and I did not have the benefit of close scrutiny.
1st. No. 1192 Kaidon Park Crackerjack owned and shown by Donna Pearce (who was one of the people who had lots of trouble controlling her horses around the harness events - she lost both of her entries, fortunately, without incident).
2nd. No. 809 Snowview Thyme by Snowview Torman.  He was very wll presented and a most attractive grey,  His owner Kathryn Hodge, led him out today.

Class 151 Led Colt under 2 years

This was another of the classes with disappointing numbers - only two entries, and only one show.
No. 981 Wilcree Focal Point by the studs resident stallion Archilaus and out of thoroughbred mare Norgwin Charm.  He will mature into a nice horse, but I do not know about 'stallion material'.  I was not able to see the sort of movement that would justify thinking that way!

Class 152 Led Colt 2 years and under 4 years

Again only one entry No. 21 Aloha Might and Power, but this is a lovely young Arabian/Warmblood colt  sired by the successful stallion of the same breeding - Aloha Power of One, owned by Mary Triggs in NSW.  Julie Conti from Dreamtime Park Stud did a fantastic job handling the youngster, who threatened to perform some 'boyish pranks' but settled well to show his potential. This young fellow went on to be the Champion Led Warmblood at the 2000 31st. Barastoc Horse of the Year Show.

Class 153 Led Stallion 4 years and over

Although there were 4 entries in this class, Nadine O'Sullivan had to scratch her stallion Tystar, leaving only three.
No. 1121 Wilcree Centre Court (a little confusing as there was a mistake with the name in the program).  This stallion is a very pretty type and his breeder told me that his owner/rider Trudi Yates is training him for a jumping career, and will focus his breeding 'adventures' in that area.  I was pleased that his career has been so carefully planned as I did not think his movement would make his dressage career successful!

No. 808 Snowview Jamieson is owned by his breeder Norman Raphael from Snowview Stud and shown today by Jackie Moon who stands the young stallion at stud.  He has wonderful jumping lines - his dam a Barabadeen mare and his sire, the world renowned jumping sire Jadalco.   This stallion is very nicely marked and has a wonderfully quiet temperament.   His walk is very good but the trot could show more sparkle.

No. 280 was Mark Kloonan's Grannus ll stallion Ego Gauss.  This stallion also has a fantastic temperament.  He is a little long in the back, which will improve as he become better engaged behind.  Mark tells me that his dressage career is progressing well, so we can look forward to seeing more of this lovely liver chestnut.  Ego Gauss won the class.

The winners from classes 145 through to 153 gathered together to allow the judges to choose the Champion and Reserve Led Warmblood for the year 2000 and the 31st. Barastoc Horse of the Year Show.

Class 154: Young Performance Stallion, Dressage,  4 years and under 6 years

No. 808 Snowview Jamieson was first to go and he was ridden by Jo Brady, who worked for some years at the NSW Equestrian Centre with Heath and Rozzie Ryan.  Jo had her work cut out, as Jamieson is just too laid back and did not want to go.  It was a rather untidy workout and did not really allow him to create the best impression - with a little more education he will be a very nice horse

No. 1121 Wilcree Centre Court ridden by his owner, Trudi Yates did a neat workout but I did not think that he had 'stallion movement' but in a class of two - and the other contestant did not really contest - he was the winner.

Class 155: Young Performance Mare Dressage,  4 years and under 6 years

1st. No. 748 Rimini Park Tandara Ridden by owner/breeder Nadine O'Sullivan.  This mare won her led class earlier today, and impressed on type and movement.  Her ridden performance was even better, I see this horse with a wonderful future in the dressage ring, she has such expression and rhythm - she was a worthy winner.

2nd. Chesham Park Rebekah ridden by Samantha Downie who also owns the mare.  She still has a way to go with her education (as could be expected in this age class) but she lacked the polish and freedom of paces of the chestnut mare, but I am sure that time will make a big difference.

Class 156: Young Performance Gelding Dressage,  4 years and under 6 years

No. 206 Clifton Court Linden was the only horse in the class, although there were 5 entered.  As I mentioned earlier, it has been a very big disappointment for the organisers who put so much hard work into providing a very thoughtful program to cater for all Warmblood enthusiasts, not to have at least 6 - 8 in each class.  Let's try for better next year!!! This large gelding is by Warrick Cozin's imported stallion Lucano (Dec.) and out of a thoroughbred mare.  Her owner/rider Matilda Nelles really did not get the gelding going well enough to impress me, but I guess that will come in time.

Class 157: Mature Performance Stallion, Dressage, 6 years and over

Again only two in the class - 4 entered but a scratching and a no show made the competition less exciting.
No. 34 Bruce Dimbrell's APH Speigel very capably ridden by Michelle Hicks from Rochford near Romsey in Victoria's Macedon Ranges. Speigel has a really wonderful trot and is a graded FEI dressage horse, so his level of education was a real treat for the small but enthusiastic crowd.  Michelle really 'went for it' and she got the result for her effort.
Speigel is by the prolific sire of dressage horses Kassiber - the now deceased imported Trakehner stallion whose famous offspring include Solo ll, Birribi Sprout and others.

No. 280 Ego Gauss ridden by his owner Mark Kloonan did a very good job, but they followed a 'pretty hard act' and as Gauss is still just over 6 years old, he lacked the education to compete equally with Speigel.  He needs to come up in front a little in order to show expressive movement and better self carriage.

Class 158:  Mature Performance Mare, Dressage 6 years and over

No. 207 Cleopatra ll Ridden by owner Barbara Hilsaca came in second.
No. 88 Baxter Dancing with Time Ridden by Faye Jasper, won the class where only two were entered.

Class 159: Mature Performance Gelding. Dressage, 6 years and over

No. 405 Isle of Anderson ridden by owner and other part of the team where the horse was bred - David and Leonie Quick's - Isle of Wight stud at Murchison.  This elegant chestnut horse could have shown a little more, in his flat workout, but this is not the riders forte, so one can forgive.

No, 545 Magnum Park Uptown owned and ridden by Elizabeth (Libby) Gibbons.  She and husband Steve and daughter Charlotte all competed at Barastoc and she would not have been thrilled with the horse's ridden work - MP Uptown is a well schooled dressage horse, but he failed to put it together for these judges.

No. 891 Torlea Evaluation is owned by former Young Dressage rider Anna Bolmat.  While Anna is finished her studies, sister Katrina has taken over the ride on the pretty chestnut by Wunder and is concentrating more on jumping.  They did a pleasing job and appeared to enjoy themselves.

No, 769 Rumble Fish Owned and ridden by Maree Tomkinson.  This horse proved the versatility of the warmblood this weekend, he competed very successfully in this ring and then flew right across to the polo field to participate in the hack classes.  Maree's polished workout on the attractive gelding by the imported Trakehner stallion Zwion (he later went from Australia to New Zealand) earned her a well deserved win.  (a comment I made before the award was made!!)

Class 160: Young Performance Warmblood, Jumping, 4 years and under 6 years

No. 1121 Wilcree Centre Court was nicely ridden by Trudi Yates and showed confidence and style over the jumps.

Again is was not the contest that one would really appreciate winning, as she was the only one in it!

Class 161:  Mature Performance Warmblood, Jumping, 6 years and over

This was a much stronger class of experienced and keen jumping enthusiasts.  Mona-Lisa Baldwin ensured that she got herself organised to ride first on No. 544 Magnum 2, in order to prepare for her second ride later in this class.  Magnum 2 is a wonderfully kind, coal black gelding - and while I admit that I am not really up with the finer points of jumping, this looked great to me.  It was a very polished and confident display. and they cam second in this class.

No. 891 Katrina Bolmat riding her sister's lovely Torlea Evaluation.  In this event the horse lacked elasticity and float, this caused him to 'catleaped' over the first, and to a lesser degree also the second.  With two out of four jumps less than perfect, it was difficult for them to make up enough ground to place.

No. 405 Isle of Anderson appeared to be in the class that Leonie Quick had been working towards winning.  The horse really looked the part, but his enthusiasm saw him a little too free after the first landing, with a loss of confidence that made the 2nd approach 'sticky'.  The horse then became 'gobby' and this lack of harmony slightly spoilt the following work.  This horse was very obedient and willing over the jumps.

No. 280 Ego Gauss,   I could see owner/rider Mark Kloonan really give this class their 'best shot' and whilst the horse began a little too long in his frame, Mark soon got him together for a good performance.  Ego Gauss was very well behaved and took the 'full on' atmosphere in his stride.  They cam a very creditable third in this class where the experience showed.

No. 1025 is Yarrabee Cameo, Mona-Lisa Baldwin's second ride in this class.  A very stylish mare that like Magnum 2, also competed in the inaugural Barastoc Horse of the Year Working Hunter class on Friday.  Cameo was much better outdoors and unlike her indoor round, she was fantastically forward - too much so and had to be brought back after the second.   The mare was extremely well ridden by Mona Lisa, but rushing detracted from todays performance.

The Placing's in Class 161 were 1st. - Isle of Anderson , 2nd. - Ego Gauss,   3rd - Magnum 2

For the past few years this event has seen a very special award presented to the best performed Holsteiner - It is the Michelle Galvin Memorial Trophy.  This award is of such significance that it will only be made if the recipient is present to accept the award.  The reason for this rule is that Michelle Galvin was a founding and very hard working member of the Australian Holsteiner horse association who died, tragically young, and this award remembers and respects her contribution to the Association.  This years winner was a quite emotional Leonie Quick, for the achievements of Isle of Anderson.

The final part of the program was the judging of the Champion - Barastoc Ridden Warmblood of the Year.  Having participated at this event on many occasions, and won the ridden performance gelding, Dressage class,  (beating the gelding that won the age jumping class) I thought that the compulsory jump for the championship is an unfair bias toward the jumping horses.   Warmbloods are now bred for both disciplines, (probably more for dressage) and I feel quite strongly that the championship should consist of a 'free' workout - to allow the rider to show the horse off to his/her best, the jump being optional, if that is your horse's forte.  From the winners of each of the ridden classes, Maree Tomkinson on Rumble Fish emerged the winners.  Maree was delighted and left immediately to switch over to 'show hack mode - well done Maree!!

It was a great show for lovers of Warmbloods, and a unique  opportunity for breeders to show their young stock (without having to wait years until they are out performing) - so, to ensure that this show survives for all who value the qualities of the breed, make a note in your 2001 diary, and I will see you there.