Competition Report & Photographs
Cyberhorse Novice - Highlights

Bill and I (Cyberhorse) were particularly proud to be the sponsors of these classes, and the close contact with the competitors and horses participating at this level gave us a real feel for the improvement in the quality of the young up and coming horses in Australia.  I saw many really lovely tests that demonstrated excellent basic training, and I am sure that most of the horses in the top third of the placing's will go on to bigger and better things in the Dressage arena (save and except for injury or mishaps).  Back to the sponsorship ... I would like to say that the df Organising Committee really got it right when it came to the way that they treated the sponsors.   Cyberhorse received VIP treatment all weekend, Bill has been heard to brag to friends and contacts that he was a 'gold medallist' at the Australian Dressage Championships - yes, the sponsors received an impressive gold medal, as a memento of their involvement - a really nice gesture.  I will include some of these photographs when they are forwarded to me.

Photo Dolly Van Zaane

Photo Dolly Van Zaane

I was keeping an eye on the clock as I particularly wanted to see the test of my fellow FEI competitor, Karin Davis. In the novice class she was riding Number 108 her very attractive Lander gelding Lauder.Karen rode a 'professional' test which started with a fantastic halt.  Lauder has very expressive paces and it was a pleasing test with only a few minor errors - he became a little deep at times, but at this level, not much of a worry!!  They scored 64.67 in the 2D and 59.11 in the 2F and a Championship position of 13th overall.

The next test was Number 36 the bay/brown CH Versace ridden by Lorraine Wohling from South Australia. 

Versace was tense and his head carriage was a little high and this marred the overall quality and correctness.  This is a very nice horse with lovely paces and a gorgeous head.  Looking at his future,  I am sure he will do very well when he learns to settle and this experience will be of great benefit to the combination.

Heath Ryan on the first of his Novice rides Number 79 Greenoaks Legend was next to go.  I had seen this horse on a previous occasion - at the 1999 Dressage with the Stars event, where the Young Dressage Horse Classes were judged by Michael Klimke and Legend won his class.  This horse has a beautiful trot with wonderfully developed rhythm and expression, and it would have been very difficult for the judges to not be overwhelmed by his movement - but, these very experienced judges would have also looked for the correctness of his work and training.  This test started with a little mishap - as Heath prepared to enter the ring, he rode in front of the judge's vehicles and gave Legend a half halt.  The horse took exception to this particular instruction and kicked out, breaking the headlight of M. Kelly's 4WD.  M got out of her car and checked out the damage, Heath profusely apologised and continued.  I was most amused to see M climb back into her vehicle, look out the window and make the decision to fasten her seat belt, this is the sort of humour that we Victorians have come to expect from M. 
Legend's test was wonderfully elastic and forward in all paces and it was only some of the transitions that gave the suggestion that this is a young horse, the working trot at times became a little more towards collection - but this is a 'high class problem' and I thought it was a well deserved win.  The score in the 2D was a fabulous 70.27% and in the 2F 62.56 and overall 2nd.

Red Regent No 160 ridden by Liz Stuart had a very hard act to follow and although the lovely thoroughbred horse seemed fairly obedient, his movement was modest and both horse and rider made mistakes.  I am sure it would have been a thrill for them just to be part of the National Dressage Championships!  they 2D scored 52.93% and the 2F 48.56% for 29 place.

Number 121, Mephisto a lovely dapple grey ridden by Alexi Kentish (daughter of well known Victorian FEI rider and and instructor, Bridgett Levy) Mephisto (like Legend) also had 'a go' at the judges car, but this time it was a matter of just getting too close.  Most of the trot work in this test was lovely, but in the canter it was easy to see the inexperience.  An error of course in the 2F was costly when up against this level of competition but the pair have lots of potential.  They scored 60.67% in the 2D and 58.11 in the 2F, for 20th position overall.

AEA Dutch Discovery Number 5 was next to go.  Ridden by Sally Luxmore who would have been disappointed with the start of her test where the horse stepped back.  This is a really lovely type - a really bright chestnut by Dutchman.  As the test progressed, the trot work improved but the horse showed resistance in the early part of the canter work.  He needs to soften his frame to improve the quality of his basic work. Poor Sally could have done without the applause from an adjoining ring which really upset an already fractious horse.  Sally did a really good job to maintain her composure and I am sure that Dutch Discovery would have gained some valuable experience from this competition.  They scored 58.40% in the 2D and 58.22 in the 2F for 22nd. overall. 

119, Marine Park Kadett very well ridden by Michael Baker did a lovely test particularly, when you consider that the horse is only 4 years old.  Kadett has had a wonderful first season - he was second in the Young Dressage Horse Competition judged by Michael Klimke, who gave him the top marks for rideability in this section.  I was very proud of Kadett (Roly to his friends) as I bred him, and took him to his first two dressage competitions just twelve months ago.  He is by the thoroughbred stallion Space Cadet out of a Salmon Leap mare.  He proves that the right type of thoroughbred can successfully mix it with the warmbloods.  Michael rode very well and it was just a few small errors that cost marks, but I am sure that Roly's connections would have been very pleased with  6th in the 2F on 61.78%, and 12th in the 2D on 63.60% and 10th overall.

Number 30 was Belcam Aashmore ridden by Georgia Calvert.  I really like what I saw of the 2D test and was impressed by Aashmore's 'uphill' way of going.  He is a very nice chestnut by the Belcam super sire Aachen.  It is interesting to note that Aachen sired 16 horses which appeared at the 2000 National Dressage Championships ( This would have to go close to a record!!) Georgia is a young rider who would have gained lots from her experience and there would have been some helpful advise contained in the judges comments.  They scored 58.93% in the 2D and 58.11in the 2F and finished 21st overall.

Novice Champion - AEA Just De Pomme
	Photo Left & Above Courtesy Dolly Van Zaane

PRESENTATION   HIGHLIGHTS Photos by  Di Gatehouse.
	Diana Gatehouse's picture below proves that not everybody at Werribee was fascinated by the Dressage !  This little pooch managed to 'cat nap' through many of the Novice tests!