AEA Dressage with the Stars 1999

Report by Berni Saunders

Pictures by Dolly Van Zaane

Class 2    5 year old Horses -  Round 1
Sponsored by AEA Burong and VDL Holland

Then BWP Solstice No 59.   Owned and ridden by Bellarine Peninsula based Jodie Rowan (Kentish)..By Solo ll out of  mare by Kjabe Florin she made a very attractive picture but was quite stiff (probably a bit to do with the atmosphere!)  Jodie and her mother Cheryl also participated in the event with a stand in the trade village.   Their wonderful range of alpaca garments were much admired by all. Finished 25th.

No. 68 Kilindra Park New Beginning a very cute pinto mare by the well known and well performed Arabian pinto stallion Waveny Picasso who was formerly campaigned in SA by well known dressage rider Heather Currie.  Her dam is by Ora.  The mare failed to show enough to really impress and is owned and ridden by Melinda Warren.   Finished 27th.

Northern Delmaray No. 55 bred by very successful Victorian Northern Warmblood Stud and by their great moving stallion Falkland Victory and the mare's sire was by the thoroughbred True Statement.  Again she failed to really produce the goods for owner rider Kerrin Turney.  Finished  32nd.

I was looking forward to seeing the 'new' star of very successful and very well known South Australian rider Leslie Anne Taylor. No. 43 Heatherton Park Cadiz by Belcam stallion Cavallo, out of a mare by Aadante by Aachen (by Argentinus)  This was a very polished performance and the experience showed although I felt that the mare could have done a little more.  They finished in 12th place.

Richmead Debonair No 70 ridden by NSW dressage rider Lisa Martin.  The fashionably bred mare is by the imported-exported stallion Don Ramiro and the sire of the dam is the Qld. based  thoroughbred Silky Baby.  Lisa did a good job but was unable to show the fantastic paces we may have seen with this breeding. They finished equal 9th.

Dutch Design No. 58, the mare bred and owned Bellarine Peninsula based Dianne McCann. Dianne competed very successfully on this mare's mum Credence by Flaneur (Imp) and Credence was later campaigned by Mary Hanna (then Donvig), with great success. The sire of Dutch Design is the AEA stallion Dutchman who carries the famous showjumping blood of Le Mexico.  Linda Goller rode the horse well, but was unable to produce the spectacular movement needed to impress these discerning judges. They came in at 16th.

No 53 Felon by the lovely thoroughbred stallion Scruples and the mare's dam is by an unknown stallion.  This mare was ridden by Sandra Page for her popular owner/breeder Helen McDonald.  They finished No. 18.

Next to go was No. 40 Emerdell Fortuna Finale by Falkland ll out of a thoroughbred mare by News Print.  I know that bowler hats are worn by 'all the best' European gentlemen, but for me it tended to make the rider look stiff and far too tall (I believe that he is over 6'4" !!)  It was however a very well executed workout with no real mistakes but also no real highlights for a position of equal 9th.

Timbertop No. 50 is another of the success stories from the Northern Warmblood Stud (as are many of the successful dressage horses in Australia today) by Northern Hermes from a mare of unknown breeding.  This beautiful elegant horse was very capably ridden by Macedon based Danish Bereiter Charlotte Stibbard, who did a sensational job to show the horse's quality.  I thought they would have ended up higher on the leaderboard.  They came in No 7.

Whiteway Warrier No. 57 by the pure bred crabbet Arabian stallion Akhu and out of the Warrick Cozens bred Lucano mare Clifton Court Strudel. This is lovely performance horse cross, and the horse was very well ridden by Cheryl Young who regularly travels from  the NSW/Vic border to  compete at Victorian dressage competitions. They finished in 26th place.

Green Oaks Dundee No. 77 was extremely competently ridden by the 'legend in his own lifetime' Heath Ryan.  By the stallion Duntroon and out of a mare by Dobrock.   This horse and his stable mate really turned some heads, including those of the judges.  The breeder,  Clyde Wunderwald would be very proud to have seen his horses perform to perfection.  Dundee finished 2nd in this class and would have been rewarded for his spectacular movement.  I would like to sincerely congratulate Heath on his riding, he was able to show this horse to the best of its capabilities.

No. 56 AEA Inspector. This horse is owned and normally ridden by  Sarah Jane Wagg. UK born Sarah now lives in Indonesia with her financier husband and two children (expecting third).  Sarah and her friend Kate enjoyed their spectator status and were very pleased with the workout and attitude of the Inspiration gelding, who is out of a Luther mare. (no wonder he can move) I feel that Inspector was unfortunate in drawing a slot with Dundee.  Inspector finished in 21st place.  Sarah has promised us some news from Indonesia, so 'watch this space'!!!

Coot Cat No. 71.   The thoroughbred stallion by Aythorpe out of a mare by the successful GB stallion Shining Finish.  Coot Cat set the Australian scene alight with his sparkle and maturity in the 1998 4 year old class judged by Anky. He also had great success in the NSW Young Event Horse contest.  Even though the horse was obedient, for me some of the magic was missing and I felt that his rider Annmarie Lourey just did not do enough to equal this outstanding result.  The judges obviously felt the same way, as Coot Cat came in at 8th place.   (mind you, there would always be a stable in my barn for him!!)

No. 51 Northern Explorer by the evergreen Falkland Victory and out of a thoroughbred mare by Abdicating.   Owned and ridden by expatriate Tasmanian ex-eventer Kate Boyes.   Kate is now based in Victorian with horse behaviourist Andrew McLean.  FEI dressage expertise was apparent with the well ridden and polished routine.   Explorer finished 14th.

Next to go was No. 74 Equest Magician who is owned by the rider and breeder Lisa Retford. This grey gelding is by Woodmount Magician, the horse that made Andrew McLean 'famous' and out of a mare by the thoroughbred sire Applauding.  The pair did quite a reasonable job but the work is not yet quite established enough.  19th

Darkers Taubay No 104 are next to go.  By the Imported/Exported superstar Gullit, now ridden by UK rider Carl Hester and out of a mare by Leica Prince. Dutch rider Cokie Op Ten Noort sits well and seems to be a really effective rider, but this horse was just not well enough established to live up to his promise in this company.  They finished 20th.

No. 42 Heatherton Park Anagram by Belcam Aatlantis (by Aachen by Argentinus) from a thoroughbred  mare by Suncoast Solo was so well ridden and presented by Arcadia NSW, based Rodney Martin.  Anagram looked a wonderful type for dressage and showed movement and flair.  They finished equal 9th.

Adloo Eclipse No.65 in the program was bred by the well known Sale Vic. based showjumping identity Gavin Chester.  This horse is by the  Australian high jump record holder Stirling Liberty  (by Ludendorf out of imported mare Faletin).  Eclipse is from a mare by the Holstein stallion Lander.  He is owned and ridden by Sarah McDonald who is on the Victorian Young Rider Squad.  They finished 17th.

After the break came No. 72  Belcam Guess ridden by Guy Wallace from NSW, and owned by Karen O'Callaghan from Victoria.  Guy rode last years 3 & 4 year old winner Cool Cat.  This horse was the highest priced lot in the 1997 Belcam sale and is by Grannus ll and out of a mare by Herr Dominator (Dec) (who also sired Margot and Harry Boldt's mare Pia).  The work started well and the horse had every opportunity as the days scratchings gave him the ring to himself.  However towards the end of a well ridden presentation the horse 'spat the dummy' and the judges saw fit to eliminate him for his efforts.

The next to go was River Range Copenhagen No. 48 in the program.  This lovely horse was ridden by his owner Linda Shore, by Northern Classic and out of a thoroughbred mare by Red Kilt.  As a dressage judge I was troubled by his crooked tail carriage and tendency to work on his forehand, but the judges must have been convinced that these were minor problems and Linda was rewarded with 6th. place.

Mr. Max Naughty No 47 got me wondering how he came to have this name?   He was ridden by his owner Martina Brunhuber.  This thoroughbred gelding is by Indian Raj and out of a mare by Atlantic Flyer.  When judging dressage, we are warned not to use the term LAME but to refer to any such occurrence as IRREGULARITY. This horse was very irregular throughout his work, and so did not really have the opportunity to show what he could do.  As he did not appear on the final placing's list, I believe that he was eliminated.

Melissa Robertson rode No. 76,  her thoroughbred gelding M.R. Denzel by Jackson Square from a mare by Brondesburg.  The horse just did not move well enough on this occasion, perhaps the riders 'busyness' was due to nerves, but it made for a performance that lacked sparkle and polish.  They finished 24th.

Wangarra Showman a lovely Arabian/Warmblood owned and ridden by well known and liked Victorian based dressage rider and trainer Luciano D'Elia showed some really lovely movement and work.  I particularly liked his walk which must have overtracked 18 inches (I'm showing my age when I cannot think in centimetres!)    Showman is by the Tasmanian based Northern Warmblood bred horse Northern Aslan and is out of an Anglo Arab mare by Sovereign Slipper.  They finished No. 5.

No. 75, the Snowview Holsteiner bred stallion Snowview Jamieson who is by the outstanding imported showjumping sire from W.A. Jadalco and from a Holsteiner mare by the proven stallion Wildfeuer (imp) was ridden very well by former NSW Equestrian Centre rider Jo Brady who demonstrated that she had learned much from her time with Heath and Rossie Ryan.  However, the horse looked like quite hard work and failed to show the flair that the judges were looking for.  The horse was often unbalanced and on the forehand and the mark would have disappointed connections.  They finished 23rd.

Wow No 54 had me hopeful that this would be my comment!  His breeding gives reason for optimism as he is by the wonderful mover Don Ramiro (imp/exp) and out of a mare by the well proven sire Ludendorf, but the work on the day lacked polish and the horse seemed a little resistant.  Wow is ridden by Pearcedale, Vic. based professional instructor and brother to the famous showjumper Art Uytendaal, Tony Uytendaal who also part Owns the horse with W. Heini.  They came a creditable 13th.

AEA Just De Pomme No. 64 was very capably ridden by AEA Burong staff member and rider Daisy Berris who filled in for regular rider Dirk Dijkstra who was busy helping his wife Sicca who was the Event Director This horse is a real cutie with style, movement and personality.  Just De Pomme or Apples to his friends is by the world famous showjumping sire Jus De Pomme and out of a mare with the internationally recognised sireline Nimmerdor (Dutch).   The workout was balanced, correct, obedient and the horse has a fabulous walk - the judges liked him too and he was awarded 2nd. place.
Pictured right:  Heath Ryan on Green Oaks Legend and Daisy Berris on AEA Just De Pomme warm up before their event.

Sunbury Lodge Ausden who is number 41 in the program was ridden by young rider Laura Van Eyle.   The horse is owned by Susanne Van Eyle and was bred by Victorian dressage rider Anne Smith.  Ausden is by the deceased Swedish stallion formally ridden by International superstar Kyra Kyrklund, Vancouver ll.  You can see Vancouver ll on Kyra's training tapes.  This combination seemed  nervous as the horse was naughty and failed to show enough movement, they finished 29th.

Daystar No 79 is by the international dressage super sire Donnerhall and out of a mare by Goldstern.   Imported as a youngster by Macedon, Vic. based international dressage rider Mary Hanna the horse was set to impress.  He was capably ridden by Mary's Danish working pupil Iveka Vangervan.  For me the horse is far too long in the back to find the higher levels of dressage comfortable, but he was ridden beautifully forward, even though his hocks trail out behind.  Iveka had a nasty accident earlier this year and it was great to see her confident and competent ride be rewarded with 4th.

Karen French is back in the saddle for the AEA, today her ride is No. 41 AEA Luciano a gelding by Stirling Luther and out of a thoroughbred mare by Frozen Section.  The horse has lovely movement but was too long and lacked self carriage the judges must have felt the same way as he came in at No 22.

Mornington Peninsula, Victoria based FEI rider and trainer Kate Scollay took the ride on the AEA  bred horse AEA Dutch Discovery No. 61.  This gelding is by jumping superstar Dutchman (imp) who carries the blood of world famous Le Mexico.  His dam is by the thoroughbred Safety Match.  The horse was well ridden but lacked the quality and polish required at this demanding level.   They finished 15th.

No. 45 Clifton Court Levi was bred by Warrick Cozens and is by his Australian bred stallion Luccino who is by the imported stallion Lucano (both Lucano and Ludendorf are by Luciano). The gelding was ridden by his owner Kerrie Cooper who was perhaps a little overwhelmed by the event and the atmosphere as the horse was hurried and not always flexed correctly on circles and corners.  They were placed at No 31.

Heath Ryan demonstrated outstanding skill and justified the confidence of owner Clyde Wunderwald, that his horse Green Oaks Legend could win.  By the stallion Le Beau and from a mare by the thoroughbred Weisenbaum,  Legend was stunning - lots of chrome, fabulous movement and beautifully ridden. Heath kept the horse in perfect rhythm so that his extravagance did not give rise to irregularity.   For me a very well deserved first place.