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| This competition is usually run a few days either side of the National Dressage Championships each year. The dressage calendar has been thrown into chaos due to the Olympic Games in Sydney in September, and the 2000 National Championships were brought forward to April. It was impossible to conduct the Australian Final of the FEI Dressage Challenge at this time, as the 5 State qualifiers and each State’s final had not been conducted. So this final had to be held as a separate competition and without the support of the National Championships infrastructure.
Two of the personalities that we would have loved to see take part were, Nadine Merewether from Western Australia on the imposing stallion Barrabadeen Troubador and Victoria’s Emma Youngman on her delightful imported stallion Rasputin. Both Emma and Nadine did very well at the Australian Championships in April 2000, sharing the top two position in a number of tests, taking it in turns to be first. Nadine was unable to justify the long trip for just one day’s competition and Emma had other commitments which kept her away. It was a great pity to have two of the best Prix St. George horses in Australia missing from the draw today.
It was an uncomfortably hot day in Melbourne for final of this prestigious event, held in conjunction with the Berwick Dressage Club’s – Berwick Classic competition. Riders in other classes were given the option to ride without their jackets, but of course, the formality of the occasion demanded that rider comfort took a ‘back seat’ to correct attire under FEI rules.
The organisers are to be congratulated for their great effort, as the day ran very smoothly. It was a pity not to have more spectator interest – perhaps some more publicity would have helped. When I took part at this event in 1997 in South Australia, there was a capacity crowd ringside - and the event was held on a Wednesday!
From across Bass Straight in Tasmania came well known competitor Judy Peel on her Trakehner/Toroughbred gelding Birribi Sprout. Sprout is a very fine and elegant horse by Solo II (sadly dec.) To me this test lacked engagement, which meant the test lacked some sparkle. The walk and canter half pirouettes were too big and the three times changes contained a mistake in the sequence. Judy rode conservatively, but it was neat and mistakes were minor. Sprout is still quite young and certainly has the scope to improve. They scored 60.50% Victorian, Rebecca Fenner on her tall elegant thoroughbred gelding Extravagant entered the ring and really looked the part. Extravagant was up in front, and all appeared ‘under control’ for a good test. Rebecca had a loss of concentration (very easy to do!) and missed the halt and rein back at A. From then on Extravagant seemed to become somewhat heavy, particularly in the extended trot. The collected walk was tense but Rebecca’s experience showed in the execution of the well -placed walk pirouettes. Much of the test was marred with tension and there were mistakes in the 4 times changes. A missed cue saw the horse trot into the final halt. This outcome must have been a disappointment as I am sure that this combination would have put a great deal of effort into their preparation. Today’s score was 57.00%
Fiona Myers made the long trip from Queensland to be part of this final. Riding her own Stablemaster Kyte, a horse that she purchased as an eventer. Her commentary sheet told that Kyte had such lovely movement, it seemed fitting that he become a dressage horse. I felt that everyone was behind Fiona and wished her well. She made the long trip down South, without the support of her husband Mark who was tragically killed in a 3 day eventing accident earlier this year. It was great to see her continuing with her horse and having a ‘crack’ at one of the big events on the Australian dressage calendar. Today’s test was very neat but lacked sparkle. Kyte was not in true collection, which affected the quality and expression of his work. They scored a very creditable 60.25% Well done Fiona.
Claire Wickens from New South Wales riding HRH was next to go. This combination came into this event with high expectations. HRH is a great moving horse, with a truly fabulous canter. His ‘form’ reflects that he is not always consistent. Most of the Victorian crowd were hoping to see a performance from HRH like his test at Equitana Asia Pafic in November, 1999. There the horse was sensational. Unfortunately today’s test was not up to that high standard and the halts were all flawed by the hind legs being left way out the back. These judges would be looking for engagement and correct basics that will allow their top three to go on to Grand Prix and they were not prepared to overlook this serious fault. HRH scored 59.88%
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About the Competition & FEI Code of Conduct | The Judges |
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The first horse to go, and
representing New South Wales, was the most attractive bright bay Trakehner gelding, APH
Socrates ridden by Linda Foster. This was a lovely test with only a few small mistakes.
The trot work was particularly expressive and they scored 64.50% Linda has been doing very
well, and is sure to go on to reach Grand Prix on this talented horse - good luck.
