Competition Report & Photographs
Horseland National Young Rider Prix St. Georges
Friday 7th. April, 10.00am

Brett, from NSW did a wonderful job on this sometimes difficult chestnut gelding.  Ock Tedi has been ridden in previous years by very well known and experienced competitors such as Shaun France, and while she was having a baby, Rozzie Ryan took over the ride and they have both had their 'sticky' moments with centre lines.   Brett handled the horse tactfully and really encouraged his talent - they came second on a score of 60.00% earned them second spot on the score board.

Belinda Rankin on My Ferrari

Were next to go in this prestigious junior event.  This attractive brown horse worked quite well and was very nicely ridden by Belinda.  For the extra marks, the horse would need to show more flowing work and impulsion.  This event would be a wonderful experience for all of these promising juniors.  Belinda and her Ferrari finished on 57.69% and third place.

Joanna Clarke on Zarina

Rode a very forward test on the big impressive mare.  Zarina is owned by FEI Dressage judge Wanda Nelson, who also trained the horse to this high standard of dressage.  Zarina is now 18 years of age but acted like a 'frisky' 8 year old at times, getting above the bit and really 'going for it'!  Working towards a competition of this kind would have given young Jo a fantastic experience.  Today they were 8th on 55.30%

Brett Davey on Barncleuth Harvest Moon

This was Brett's second ride in this class.  Brett is a very 'together' young rider and rode this 'willowy' thoroughbred with the same tact and expertise as the chestnut Barrington Ock Tedi.  This horse was excellent in his forward movements, he was so willing and free, no nappiness or hesitation.  But, as is usually the case with horses, a real talent in one area usually defines a weakness in another, and this horse found the collected work very difficult.  At this level most of the really difficult movements are done in collected paces and   as such there were problems in canter pirouettes, half passes and balanced changes.  They were 5th on a percentage of 55.47

Tamara Thurling on The Adjudicator   

Tamara did a very nice test on the very experienced horse which was formerly owned by well known NSW competitor Vicky Robertson.   This horse is a real gentleman and his understanding and willingness were quite apparent.  He was not always correctly through to the bridle and therefore his carriage and balance were affected.  Tamara is another of the lucky young rider who will gained 'years of experience' for having made the trip to be part of the prestigious competition.  They scored 57.44% and came 4th.

Holly Stansfield-Smith and Malachite

I was taking a little more that a casual interest in this test, as Malachite spent 8 years with me at Hollybrook Stud.  He is a charming and generous horse, and it is very gratifying to see such a lovely young rider benefiting from her time with him.  Holly did a lovely job with the trot and canter half passes and the horse has a wonderful walk.  The canter pirouettes were nicely executed, but something upset Malachite towards the end of the test (we think the quite sharp edge of the plastic coated number stuck into his ear/face) and his concentration was lost.   This kind of mishap is very costly as it must seriously affect the marks for movements in which the problems take place, but it also affects the collective marks which bring down the score for the whole test.  The rest of the weekend was fabulous for Holly - so I am sure that Malachite was forgiven.  They scored 55.21% for today's test and 7th. place.

Chad Smyth & Hilltop Otis

I have judged Chad on a couple of occasion when in South Australia.  He was then riding a much smaller bay horse.  He has become very tall and would appreciate the generosity of well known Queensland rider/trainer Ron Patterson, in lending him this horse.  I do not know how long Chad has been working with Otis, but todays work lacked collection and self carriage and the extensions were hurried and running.  The highlight of the test was the walk to canter transition.  Soon after the canter work commenced, it was easy to see that this was the horse's preferred gait and they would have picked up some marks for their ease.  The sequence changes were admirably straight and through and would have marked quite well.  Otis did 'blot his copy book' as he just did not wish to leave  the ring.  This young rider also will have much positive input for the experience of competing in the Horseland National Young Rider - Prix St. Georges competition, they were 8th on 54.70%

Gillian Rogers`on Marakoopa

This was a very forward and expressive test and Marakoopa just 'oozes' elegance with his handsome thoroughbred looks and long black legs!  Just sometimes I got the feeling that he was running a little.  It must be enormously difficult for young riders to fully understand the delicate balance between collection / jammed up / too free and running  (goodness only knows, and 'old duck' like me still often gets it wrong!!) The flying changes were swinging just a little but the pirouettes were very nice indeed and showed Gillian and Marakoopa's experience.  The pair had a well deserved win and a score of 63.08%