IHB 6 YO Young
Dressage Horse Class
Round 1 Part 1

Rodrigo lll and Maree Tomkinson.  Wow was my reaction as I watched the stunning liver chestnut stallion sweep across the arena in the most stunning half passes, he was forward, beautifully supple and very much with his rider.  Rodrigo was the first round winner from the 2004 5 YO class and he again score the top first round score today. He was the only horse to get over 8.  The flying first change was as smooth as silk, as was the second!   The extended walk was ground covering and fluent.  Rodrigo was one of the few 6 YO’s prepared to shorten up into the collected walk without resistance or faulty steps.  The scores were 8.4 trot, 7.5 walk, 8 canter, 8 submission and 8.5 for general impression and rideability.  This is a great result and puts Maree into the lead.

Fibonacci was another horse that I was keen to see.  He was purchased from PSI in Germany and imported by Sally Latona and is owned, ridden and trained by Sally who operates the Tasmanian Dressage Centre.   He is a lovely bright bay with elastic and expressive movement. Fibonacci is a gorgeous horse and he worked nicely wit very little resistance.  He became a little lazy in the canter work and missed second flying change, he then fell into trot and Sally had to ‘razz’ him up to keep the energy going.  This was just a small insight as to how a very good test may have improved.  He finished second on the day and the judges certainly rewarded his excellent basic training and rideability.  Well done.

PSI De Caprio has had the whole local ‘dressage scene’ talking! He is an equine superstar and since his arrival in Australia 2 years ago he has wowed and dazzled those lucky enough to see him perform.  As would be expected Judy Dierks put in a very polished performance with sound basics and balance confirmed throughout the work.  However, De Caprio is very hot and failed to settle enough for Judy to show a quality walk and the halt and rein back were affected by high spirits.  Judy rode a measured and precise test fulfilling the requirements beautifully and the changes were a highlight made possible by the balance created in excellent preparation.  It is fantastic to see such beautiful horses in Australia and we much acknowledge the contribution of owners like Andrea Beatty who have such confidence in Australian Dressage that they are prepared to invest in the such beautiful horses which takes our sport forward many steps.  Well done to all concerned.

TangoV by Tineke Bartels 2002 WEG partner Jazz.  Jazz is also the sire of Rozzie Ryan's Jive Magic and Kerry Mack's Mayfield Pzazz, both competing at FEI 'small tour'.  This was the 2004 5 YO competition winner, ridden and trained by Mary Hanna.   He is a very nice mover and has developed a good outline and self carriage.  For me some of the work was a little tight and lacked the looseness that makes for outstanding paces. At times I felt that Tango’s work would have been better with a little more forward energy to help with the swing.  These are observations which are easily made ‘out of the saddle, there may have been reason that this was what Mary was asking for!  The marks would suggest that the judges were similarly moved … but there is no doubt that Tango will be a star of the future.

Yarramee Forever and Shane Davidson were a ‘stand out’   Shane rode the horse that he bred and sold to Victorian rider Sharyn McCombe.  This combination have been very successful and Forever’s sound basic training has stood him in very good stead.  Shane rode a forward and flowing test. Shane is a fantastic rider and quite recently returned from 6 months in Europe where he was campaigning his showjumping stallion.  Yarramee Forever is a great prospect to go and reach FEI.  The balanced flying changes were the highlight in this 6 YO presentation.

DvZ Faroche and Susan Page came 3000 kilometers across the Nullabor Plain to be part of this competition.  The huge 18 hand WA bred mare is lovely, I saw her when I was over there judging in August and felt that the trip would be rewarding.  Farouche demonstrated great looseness and elegance and defies her size with balance and lightness over the ground.  She is beautifully ridden by part owner Susan Page who gets great support from the mare’s breeder and co owner Dolly van Zaane.  Perhaps a little more energy would have improved the flow at times – particularly in the canter.   The changes confirmed this observation, as the lack of energy caused a fault in the sequences.  But hey … this is a small criticism in a 6 YO.  With a great temperament and good movement the mare has a great future.

Let’s Image and Lizzie Wilson-Fellows.  Some of the work was a little rushed and out of balance, but the hot bay mare can really move. The canter was forward … perhaps a little too much and this caused the first flying change to be a little unbalanced, but correct. In the second change, the horse seemed to anticipate, she was resistant and kicked out. I would like to see her taken back a notch and allowed to work a little more in her ‘comfort zone’, she has the talent to win at this level and therefore is one to watch for the future.

Monica  Lewinsky W and German Visitor Laura Stigler. Having finished her riding studies in Germany, Laura is in Australia for 3 months holiday.   Laura is hardly ‘taking it easy’ and rode several of the W horses for her sister Silva and Boyd Martin...  Her parents arrived on Thursday to watch their daughters compete at DWTS and I am sure they were proud. This group of 6 YO’s were all very different and would have kept the judges thinking!  Monica is by the respected eventing sire, Brilliant Invader and is a modest moving horse but very correct all the same with a nice rhythm in her walk.  She was very well ridden and achieved a top 10 finish.  Well done Laura.

Flowervale Ferro Two and Monica Bird.  This horse is a lovely type, showing nice posture and balance.  He is black and beautiful and makes an imposing picture in the ring.   His canter depart was well before marker and he anticipated.  The judges were looking for spot on obedience and a horse that was listening to the aids.  The horse did not show the big movement and looseness that could have earned back the lost marks, but he showed promise and is a very nice prospect for the future.

Heatherton Park Welcome by Weltmeyer ridden by Tristan Tucker.  This horse is by Weltmeyer from Stirling Coriander (a Jaybee Farm Broodmare) On Friday night Roger Fitzhardinge called Bev Edwards forward as she was to present the “Sky High” Trophy for jumping horses.  At this time he acknowledged the fantastic contribution of the wonderful mare Coriander.  She has a top 10 finalist in each of the age groups … Jaybee Collette (4), Jaybee Colleen (5) and HP Welcome (6).  Bev has always attributed fantastic success of Jaybee Farm to her outstanding hand selected broodmare band, well done Bev & John! 

Welcome was a little tight in the neck and not quite as forward as I have seen him at the qualifying competitions. Tristan kept the hot red head well in hand; even so he broke in the medium trot which is disappointing as he is sensational in his engagement and expression when h does it well.     Changes slightly hurried but correct.  The walk was tight and relaxation must always be the aim with a horse like this… golly, I feel like I’m writing about Bonfire.  I am sure Jim and Emmie Schmul will not mind the comparison!!

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E-mail Berni, bernis@cyberhorse.net.au for proofs