David Shoobridge from Performance Horses was the main energy behind this part of the program and a stallion show seemed to 'hit the spot' with the crowd who (it seems) cannot get enough of beautifully ridden, magnificent horses. David and his wife Amanda work very hard at Revelwood Stud were they stand approximately 8 stallions.

David said, "At Revelwood we have a stallion to suit every mare and every breeder, we cater to a slighty different market to the imported frozen semen buyers, we have stallions that can be viewed and assessed 'in the flesh' and many of our boys are well known to enthusiasts who have seen them out at competitions and are keen to breed to a 'known quantity'. Some of the stallions at this show do not stand at Revelwood, but have their fans and our show gave their owners the opportunity to showcase them to a wider performance-oriented market."

The Sydney CDI 3-Star Performance Horses Stallion Show was conducted in the packed SIEC indoor following the Inter 1 Freestyle and before the Grand Prix Kűr. It was a nice change to see the horses working to show off their personalities rather than specifically to meet the requirements of a Dressage test. David said, "It has been great fun to put the evening together, and we would hope that this is the first of an annual preview of the best performance stallions in Australia."

The venue was absolutely perfect and of course the huge CDI Kűr crowd sparked up the stallions and created the perfect atmosphere to show off their qualities and breathtaking movement. They were all perfect gentleman and a great credit to their owners and handlers.

It was disappointing that two of Revelwood's lovely stallions were not in attendance. Poetry in Motion (Pommery/Richmeed Serene) is a special favourite of mine with his 'chocolate box' good looks ... and the versatile import Contenda ( Contendro/Ballerina by Bolero), but David said "I would have just spread my self too thin to run this part of the program and to also participate in it. Many exhibitors have traveled a long way and we wanted to ensure that the Stallion Show was a great success."

As the show continued we saw some variation in type and way of going. There were examples of the light famed and elegant type of Warmblood which is ideal for a mare of the more substantial 'older' type, the heavier framed stallion that often creates a very good 'nick' with our quality Australian thoroughbreds and a jumping line stallion for those keen for a youngster who could excel as an Eventer or perhaps even a dedicated jumping career. There really was something for everyone with the well credentialed Eventing sire Statford Novalis and the divinely charismatic Friesian Django of Cacharel, joining the lineup

Django of Cacharel (Pike/Renske Fan 'E Olde Hoek) stole my heart back in June 2005 when I photographed him at the AWHA NSW Gala Weekend (coming up again soon). If you compare his performance to the requirements of the Dressage Judges Guidelines, he is one of the few horses that has engagement, lightness of the forehand (with an enviable WOW factor) calm trainable temperament which delivers a lovely harmony between horse and rider. His owner Lynn Jenkin told me that Django had just made history by being the only Australian bred stallion to be accepted into the 'elite' section of Dutch stud book. Just the week before the CDI the Dutch visitors were in Australia for the "Kuering" (classification/assessment) so it is congratulations to Tashkent Friesians - I am sure we will be seeing more of this versatile breed, as their huge increase in popularity continues. Django is pictured below and you will see that there is nothing heavy or 'clumpy' about his expressive movement. His rider and trainer Jeremy Janjic has a great bond with Django and when all of the other stallions had left the arena he placed Django's No.1 junior fan in front of the saddle for the ride of her life in front of this appreciative and huge crowd - it was a great temperament test and Django passed with 'flying colours'.

Another stallion I was keen to see here tonight was the exciting imported Hanoverian, Fisherman's Friend (Fabriano/Penny Lane by a Pik Bube stallion). FF is now on the FN Breed Rankings for 2005 Top 5% Dressage Stallions, with his first crop of riding age horses! He is the only horse standing in Australia with this prestigious ranking and he stands at the picturesque Remi Stud in Laidley, Queensland, where Cheryl O'Brien will use him over her special mares and to selected outside mares. Dressage's 'Man of the Moment' Brett Parbery (who is proudly sponsored by Prydes Feeds) took the reins and showed this magnificent stallion off to perfection. Fisherman's Friend is pictured below.

Emma Youngman's imported Swedish stallion Magritte (Magini/Cindra) pictured below, has been off the competition scene for some time and it was lovely to see this grand old gentleman (now 20 YO) make an appearance. The horse seemed to enjoy himself and showed us the reason why he reached the highest level of Dressage in Sweden before he came to Australia as a proven Grand Prix performer at 13 years of age. He has fantastic hind leg activity, so would make a good choice for those with a lovely mare that has some deficiencies in the energy of her hindquarters. These qualities are highly heritable and Magritte has much to offer. He has moved from Victoria and is now based with David and Amanda at Revelwood Stud. It was great to see the now NZ based Emma Youngman (who represented Australia at the 2003 European Dressage Championships at Hickstead on her other Swedish import Rasputin) back in Australia ... and in the saddle.

A'Seduction (below) and Sally Evans were at the Sydney CDI taking part in the 'small tour' events, Sally always seems to enjoy riding her obliging and talented stallion. A'Seduction is by the Aachen stallion Aachimedes from Jaybee's outstanding producing mare Stirling Coriander who is also mum of the prolific winner Jaybee Colleen and the great moving HP Welcome (by Weltmeyer). This stallion has super temperament and he is owned by a syndicate, of which Sally is a member. His appearance and the nice comments which filtered back to all concerned would have cheered up Bev Edwards who has been away from her horses whilst nursing her 90 year old mum, who sadly passed away after the CDI. We all send our love and sympathies to Bev, John and her family and close friends.

Well done Sally and A'Seduction.

Statford Novalis (below) by Ard Black Cat from Nobility by Novize is proving himself a talented eventer with enormous jumping ability. His is very much in multi function mode fulfilling a riding and stud career. He has yearling progeny on the ground and his competition career is focused on being selected for the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Good luck with it all.

Lesley Anne Taylor (another rider in the Prydes lineup of success stories), tonight we saw her gorgeous PSI import Welfenadel (below) by Welt Hit ll from Fredoni by Pablo. It would be difficult to imagine a stallion with a more bubbly personality, he always has a cheeky look and this adds to his charisma and appeal. Lesley Anne was not riding him for this parade, but he was beautifully presented by her helper and would have added more names to already strong fan club. He took part at this competition.

Northern Simba's appearance topped off a very successful competition for the elegant and talented son of Peter and Jan Powles respected stallion Falkland Victory, from the Northern Congress mare Northern Carousel ll. Simba won the 6 YO Young Dressage Horse event and this is just another jewel in his glittering career. Simba is owned by Elaine Harrison and was ridden by the successful FEI rider and trainer, Christine Crawford. Christine and Jeremy Janjic operate the North Kadulah Stud where Northern Simba stands.

Heathmont Echo (below) is just 4 years old and by the well respected Rubenstein stallion Rotspon, who is making his mark in Australia. Echo is beautifully marked and from a mare by the Dutch import BWS Figaro. He was bred by Victorian rider Jacinta Bennett and is now owned and ridden by Nichola Paff - who did a very good job with her youngster in this big atmosphere. Echo also took part in the Young Horse classes at this competition and is sure to progress up the grades and reach FEI.

Ferrero Rocher (Imp) is one of the most up and coming stallions in Australia. He is by Florestan 1 from St Pr St Waimea. This stallion has had success at Dressage with the Stars and has made a name for himself in Young Horse classes. He was beautifully ridden by Nicholas Fyffe who had a busy few days here at the CDI riding his small tour horse Donizetti. Ferrero Rocher (blow) stands at Revelwood Stud.

I would like to congratulate David Shoobridge (the driving force behind this part of the event). I am sure that owners and breeders appreciated the opportunity to see the stallions in a 'pressure situation' as this is what counts when we are producing competition horses. I am sure this will become a permanent part of the Sydney CDI program.

I have many lovely copyright pictures of most horses
if you would like proofs e-mail Berni
Go to CDI Results and Report Index