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2000 Peter Horobin
Berwick Dressage Classic
26th. November, 2000

Werribee Park Equestrian Centre.
Page 1

It is great to see the support of such a wonderful sponsor get behind the feature competition of one of Victoria’s leading Dressage Clubs – Berwick. Peter Horobin and his wife Julie had their mobile saddlery store at Werribee Park, and in very hot conditions Peter was busy with saddle fittings and advice all day. Recently, Melbourne has enjoyed some beautiful spring weather, this was the first day of what we can expect in the nearing summer months. Competition organisers made a decision quite early in the day that jackets were optional, and we saw most riders neatly attired, minus the jacket. When thinking of the very best equipment, think Peter Horobin for without people supporting the sponsors, they will not continue to support our sport. www.cyberhorse.net.au/horobin

There were some lovely horses and very well ridden tests. I spent most of the day watching the Prix St. George (the only FEI test run at this years Berwick Classic). This club has decided that the higher level tests are all just a little too much, and have opted to leave out Inter. 1 & 2 along with Grand Prix.

I am one of the many who feel that this is a real pity as most dressage riders are striving to take their horse’s through the EFA grades and eventually compete at FEI level. In order to progress the sport of Dressage it is necessary to conduct competitions at these higher levels, and riders should be encouraged to participate.

roly.jpg (10153 bytes)If things are to change, the riders themselves should take these sentiments on board, and try to do their bit to ease the workload burden of the various dressage clubs, as lack of manpower and funding has brought about this change to the Berwick Dressage Club’s competition program, and it would be a pity to see other clubs follow this trend.

Organising and paying the judges is a huge job for a club running a full program and in the program I counted 23 judges that were officiating.

I spent most of my day next to ring one as I see the Prix St. George as a most important transition from the training grades to the 'real thing'.   I did take a walk to watch Roly (Marine Park Kadet) ridden by Michael Baker.   Roly is a thoroughbred by Space Cadet bred by Bill & me at Hollybrook Stud.   He is such a nice horse and it is a great thrill to see him in such wonderful hands,.  Michael is just getting over a rather nasty flue that has caught a number of us, so this was not the best test that I have seen them perform together.

epthomas.jpg (9448 bytes)Another horse that took my eye in the lower grades was the lovely grey Edrom Park Thomas ridden by M. Oliver.  Although very green, it is easy to see that he will have a great future as a dressage horse. 

The Prix St. George was judged by Wanda Nelson from Victoria, Robert Hammond from Victoria and Clem Kelly from Queensland.

Most of the horses worked very well, with a few taking exception to the polo horses in the adjoining paddock.

Maree Tomkinson did a flowing test on her huge bay Warmblood Kings Warrior. He has improved in his frame and self carriage, perhaps the test could have been a little more energetic to get the very high marks that Maree would have been striving to obtain. This horse has gone up the grades very quickly and has loads of potential. They scored 60.83%

thebilby.jpg (11810 bytes)Pauline Furniss riding the lovely chestnut horse Clifton Court Luccini was next. This horse shows great talent and with it, a promising future. Some of the work lacked experience and polish, I am sure his best is yet to come. The score for this combination was a creditable 61.33%.

Popular Victorian competitor Judy Smith was next on her own and Susan Herbert’s Killuna. This lovely big warmblood/thoroughbred cross by Kilof McOhl, has not always given Judy his full attention and best endeavours, but today they proved that with patience and hard work progress will be made. Killuna looks to have lot of improvement in him as the basic work was very nice, but he did become a little heavy at times, showing his inexperience and lack of strength. They scored 59.25%.

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Next to go was Caroline Coleby on the lovely Aachen mare Belcam Aaskhan. Like so many of the Aachen horses, this mare can really move and has a truly nice quality in the canter. This is very early in her FEI career, and Caroline – like the true professional that she is, was delighted with the positives of her ride today. There were a few mistakes and these are costly at PSG level 54.42%.

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Czarina Nikita, the very pretty dappled grey mare ridden by Nicole Vanatta, was next out in the Berwick Classic Prix St. George. As an onlooker it is difficult to be absolutely sure what horses are thinking, but Nikita gave me the impression that she did not care much for a ‘chukka of polo’! Nicole did a good job to ‘kid’ this sensitive mare through her concerns, but tension marred the quality of today’s performance. Nicole will hope for a quieter day to give Nikita a chance to show us that she can do a very good job of this test. Today 56.92%

Berwick & District Dressage Classic - Go to Page 2.

Results