IHB 6 YO Young
Dressage Horse Class
Round 1 Part 2

Blanco Park Waltstar by Walt Disney is owned and ridden by Katherine Blechen; they have come to DWTS all the way from Queensland.  The brown mare is a very nice type, but not as established as many in the class and her rider seemed as tense as some of the earlier horses.   It is a huge event and the only way to get confidence and develop the skill is to do it.  Waltstar certainly has the pedigree for the job and the test improved and showed nice flow and co-operation.  Katherine and her husband Patrick run Blanco Park Stud and have invested in some outstanding bloodlines which will make a great contribution to developing the sport in Australia.  They bred a Weltmeyer gelding who won a Novice test at the Nationals with a 16 YO young rider – well done!

Short Black was ridden by a true master of young horse dressage, Michael Baker.  The horse showed some tight moments which spoiled the flow of the test.  He often seemed croup high, which is fine for a jumping horse, but not so desirable for Dressage. It would be a very rare TB to compete successfully against the quality of the purpose bred warmbloods in this class and the horse may well have his future as an eventer earmarked??

Starstruck Romeo Kerry Swan-Bates from Tasmania have impressed the ‘main-landers’ on previous occasions,  with good reason as this horse has loads of talent.  Today he was not always straight and some head tossing would have been costly in this company. The first flying change was messy and resistant but Kerry prepared better and the second change.  The relaxation in the walk was not quite up to standard and the judges were looking for other outstanding virtues to make up for any of the shortcomings of today’s test.  Good luck Kerry.

Larapinta Ferringka and young Victorian rider Fiona McNaught.  The imposing ‘Ferro’ mare seemed to be struggling a little with the balance required to do this ‘almost medium level’ test.  Just a few short years ago there is no way that Australian riders would have been able to manage this work with their 6 YO horses and the introduction of Young Horse competitions back in 1999 has provided some system and focus that sees a tremendous improvement in the standard in just on 7 years.  Ferringka’s changes were heavy and on the forehand and she lost the lightness required to perform the demands of this demanding test.  Fiona is a young rider going places and will look at the basic training as the key to improvement.

UQ Anapavlova and Connie Bookless were part of this group.  They did very well at the 2004 event and also took part at the judges clinic where the horse received accolades from Ulf Mőller, who loved the horse’s basic training and rideability.  It was of interest to see how they had progressed in the twelve months just past.  The gorgeous brown mare was a little tight today and this affected the swing and quality of the two track work.  Anapavlova is a lovely obedient horse with good future.

Mayfield Razzamatazz owned and ridden by Kerry Mack who has won this event previously on her wonderful stallion Mayfield Pzazz.  Kerry has had a dream ride with Pzazz and has taken him from young horse to capable and secure at FEI level.  We were all devastated to hear that a paddock accident may have ended his competition career, and now some months later this does seem to be the sad outcome.  Kerry has not been riding the gorgeous son of Rotspon for long enough to have him secure in the work and capable of holding ground with the horses who have been prepared for this event for the last twelve months.  However her loose moving chestnut acquitted himself very well and demonstrated a lovely can do nature which gives him the basis for further training and a clear role as a serious future prospect.  I hope Kerry enjoyed her outing.  The people sitting next to me loved this expressive chestnut and “wanted to send a mare to him”!  I explained that this was going to be a bit difficult as he is a gelding.

Campaspe Park Gi Gi and Tori Weir did a nice test but for me Gi Gi ran a little and did not really establish self carriage and the correct connection through to the hand.  The horses are drawn to compete in a random order, but the smaller equines are slightly disadvantaged in this comparative situation, as they often lack the perceived expression and cadence.  Tori rode Gi Gi in Anky’s Equitana Masterclass and the pair were complimented by the world’s No 1 rider.  The beautiful mare was bred by one of Victoria’s keen dressage families – the Alexanders who were originally based in Bendigo.  Mum Marlene told me when I bumped into her at our local supermarket, “The girls are not competing at the moment and Gi Gi gives us all a wonderful interest” Well done Tori.

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