The Grand Prix classes are always crowd pleasers at our top dressage events. By 2pm on Friday, 5^th May the crowd, assembled photographers and most of the helpers that could leave their posts flocked into the Olympic arena to witness the first leg of the CDI 3* which is the last Australian qualifier before the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, later this year.

Could Rachel Sanna maintain the sparkling form that saw her and Chatham Park Jac break an Australian record for the highest scoring kur of 72.66%? This resounding win shot them up the list of possibilities for WEG selection. Another performance of this standard would surely secure her place in the Aussie line up.

We saw a very strong field of Australia’s best GP horses but sadly, the notable absences were our Athens’ Olympians Mary Hanna on Port Said and Ricky MacMillan with her long time partner, Crisp.

It is nice to see the possibility for an unexpected outcome, as this confirms the up and coming talent that pushes the standard of the sport higher and sees Australia set to make an international challenge. I spoke to Canadian judge, Cara Whitham and she enthusiastically confirmed that the Aussies had improved greatly since her previous visit prior to the 2000 Olympics.

The first out in the glorious Autumn sunshine was South Australian (soon to be NSW), Lesley Anne Taylor on the elegant black PSI import, Weltklasse (Welt Hit II). This is a new combination at the top level and was a very pleasant test which will improve greatly when strength and balance are fully developed. They scored 13^th with 59.875%.

Australia’s favourite dressage couple, Heath & Rozzie Ryan were mounted on a his-and-her’s pair of stunning black beauties. Heath rode the young Rubinstein stallion, Regardez Moi owned by his wife and Dr Margaret Evans, and Rozzie rode the gloriously elegant Donnerhall mare, Donna Carrera owned by Susie Duddy. Donna made her GP debut in March this year and her test today left a little room for improvement. She is very talented, with an equally talented rider so definitely a combination to watch! They finished up10th with a score of 61.250%.

Regardez Moi (pictured above) is much improved and showed great scope in the piaffe/passage tour. Heath’s masterful riding got them through to 3^rd place on 66%.

Heath also rode his experienced 11 year old imported gelding, Greenoaks Dundee (Duntroon). They gave no room to doubt that they have their bags packed for Aachen. Dundee is rock solid at this level and they finished in 2^nd place on 66.458%.

Greenoaks Dundee

Rachael Sanna and Chatham Park Jac came into the ring with a weight of expectation on her shoulders. Six months ago it was unthinkable that Rachael would have her 7½ year old small tour Jazz gelding up to GP and knocking on selectors’ door for a birth in the Aussie team for WEG. Jac started his GP test and was very secure in the trot and canter work. The ‘wheels fell off’ during the piaffe at ‘D’ and Rachael was forced to endure a full circle of resistance as Jac refused to go forward and back into the piaffe. In a calm and consistent manner, she was able to coax her reactionary youngster to see reason and proceeded in brilliant form. At the final piaffe at ‘X’, Jac defiantly challenged Rachael again but was quickly settled to regroup for the final passage and halt. It was a case where the sentiments of the nursery rhyme “when he was good he was very very good, and when he was bad he was horrid” was appropriate.

The majority of Jac’s test was of such quality that even with mistakes and resistances they scored 65.708% for 4^th place.

The winner of the GP was the ‘often the bridesmaid’ Amoucheur (Archipel). There is little doubt in anyone’s mind that this super elegant Hanoverian gelding is a real international prospect. However, he is super hot and appears to have a very vivid imagination as he sees mountain lions lurking behind the spectator seating at most events.

His rider, Kelly Layne from Queensland is one of the with the skill and patience to manage this ‘precious’ equine and coax the best work from him. I was given the word that Kelly was coming to Sydney to win and her recent results confirmed that it was very possible.

Many of the keen Australian dressage goers have seen this horse on many occasions and we all agree that this was an inspired performance and will demand the selectors' attention. They won the GP with 67.750% and if they remain in form, will hope to do the same in the Kur 30 hours later.

Jody Hartstone (NZL) and Landioso - 5th

Paula Price on APH True Seville - 6th