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Competition
Report & Photographs |
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The preparations for the evening began on Saturday afternoon, and the marquee which was set up inside the indoor arena was decorated to perfection with tables and chairs, white table linen and table decorations that one would expect to find at the best high class restaurant. Some interesting large boxes and carpet rolls are placed out in the indoor arena, this creates a sense of atmosphere that had everyone eagerly awaiting the 5.30 start to what is promising to be a fabulous night's fun. The radio and television and Internet promotion of this event really had an effect, and I was delighted that this publicity had led Blair & (his wife of two weeks) Sandra Dawkins to come along to the event, see the horses and generally have a great time. Blair is the son and business partner of my local Shoex store owner Nigel. Nigel is a real identity at Bacchus Marsh and still in the year 2000, conducts the business as a 'country' store. A later discussion with Lee Howells - the very hard working ticketing co-ordinator - said that many people in the huge audience, came along to enjoy 'something different' and I know that on my table, they were delighted with the evening's entertainment, fun, the thrilling BMW's and, of course, the gorgeous horses Bob Valentine kicked things off with an introduction and a song - the very appropriate 'Horses'' which was originally recorded by Daryl Braithwaite. Wendy Stapleton then joined him for a duet - Sonny & Cher's classic -'I Got you Babe' followed by 'Perfect' (It's gotta be) and the Dusty Springfield song ' Son of a Preacher Man'. As part of handing in my freestyle music, I had the chance to look at the sound system - it was the most extensive collection of gadgets, knobs and different coloured lights I have ever seen and obviously needed a very skilled technician to 'drive' it. The attention to detail that the sound and lighting was given, by the event organisers, was a key to the high quality and professional standard and this significantly contributed to the success of the weekend.
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Emma
Youngman and her new arrival into the country, Magritte, really had not
got their act together in time to show their best work at this competition. The 13
year old bay stallion Magritte looks to have heaps of energy and talent for the collected
work. With Emma's tactful riding and level headed determination, I am sure that we see
them on the winners dais before too long. Their percentage was 57.60 which
earned a 10th.
Cadenza
the grey Holsteiner mare ridden by young Queensland rider Emma Anderson have
really improved their work over the few tests they have ridden this weekend. Her
choice of music was great, with a really catchy tune that complemented a very nice
test. This mare can be tricky and Emma did a great job to keep her calm and
compliant in this 'big' atmosphere. They placed 9th and scored a very creditable 60.30%
Campaspe Park Greta ridden by Lisa
Alexander. This lovely mare is by the very talented warmblood stallion Granada who
has had a number of his equally talented 'children' fall by the wayside due to inheriting
their father's hot temperament. Lisa Alexander is a Vet and a very popular rider on
the Victorian Dressage scene. She did a great job to soul/funk music that had an
excellent beat, and I could feel the crowd really 'getting into' this test. The
flying changes lacked a little expression and canter pirouettes flat. The technical
highlight of this test was Greta's sensational flowing half passes. I am sure Lisa
would have loved being part of this wonderful competition and their pleasing result of 8th
on the score of 61.10%
From NSW was Sue Hearn riding her
own 17 hand, 10 year old thoroughbred gelding Manhatten. 
Fenton ridden by
Linda Schmerglatt made the long trip from Queensland to be part of the 2000 diana ferrari
National Dressage Championships. This is not the first time that Linda and Fenton
have participated in Grand Prix Dressage at Werribee. This horse is probably the
only participant able to claim that he has lived on three continents. He has lived
with Linda in Europe where she was an auction rider for one of the big performance horse
sales companies, and in New Zealand, and now in Queensland, Australia. This was a
very polished test with really nice music. Fenton's piaffe/passage tour was one of
the best, from my vantage point, and well deserved the percentage of 64.30 and
6th was the reward for effort.
GV
Stirling Stilton owned by Peter Bunn - formerly a very successful event rider -
and father of the 'new generation' superstar - Olivia, was, this evening ridden by the
duel discipline jockey Heath Ryan. No matter which horse Heath rides, and no matter
which level he competes at, he always does a great job. Heath is a very popular
personality (personality being the operative word) on the horse scene, and many
in the audience would have willed him to win this prestigious class.
Stilton was very tense and this spoilt some of the test - but in true 'Heath' style, what
he did well, he did well, and they scored a fabulous mark of 65.42% which
earned them 5th placing.
Jahnus
and Emma Youngman. This combination have literally 'burst' onto the
Australian FEI dressage scene. Emma bought Jahnus - her first FEI horse - just 4
years ago as a 4 year old, and has trained him herself with the help of Mary Hanna,
Clemens Dierks and Harry Boldt. Jahnus is just 8 years old now and has really
improved over the past few months - as their scores will attest. Emma is such a
lovely rider, with the softest hands - she does not appear to use the reins at all ... but
I guess she does !!! This was a very happy test, Jahnus seemed to really enjoy his
work. A well deserved 65.83% earned them third place.
Snowy River Blackwood
- made the most impact of any horse at the diana ferrari, 2000 National
Dressage Championships, and he became the eventual Australian Grand Prix Champion. This
was a truly great freestyle test to the most creative choice of jaunty music which
included Bill Bailey, Never On a Sunday, Baby Face and more! S R Blackwood is such a
lovely soft horse and wonderfully ridden by a very accomplished horsewoman who has managed
to gain this 'hot' young horse's confidence and to allow him to show his exceptional
talent and potential. The combination also proved that an Australian bred horse can
mix it with the best. S R Blackwood was bred by the Chester (Gavin) family at Sale
in Victoria. He is by Sterling Liberty (by Ludendorf out of Faletin) and was
purchased by the Jenkyn's as a youngster. I believe that Di's husband (and major
supporter) Peter, did some showjumping with this horse, early on in his
training. Di is now looking like a real possibility for Sydney 2000 with a score of 67.01%
and second place.
The winner - Yardley
Aphrodite, wonderfully ridden by the 'golden girl' of Australian Dressage,
Rachael Downs. The music was different and interesting - and it really suited
the horse and rider combination. It seems that you can tell a little about the person, and
their relationship with their horse, when listening to the choice of music. Rachael
should be very well pleased with her performance, although I am sure that she would like
to improve a few little aspects of the technical work. She has worked miracles on
this young 'Northern' bred mare, and I think that the tempe changes were the
highlight of this test, there are not very many horses who can keep them so straight and
fluent. A score of 68.09% put Rachael into the lead and it seems
that after this weekend, that it is Aphrodite and not Charisma who is Rachael's main
Olympic hope. Good luck to them.
