The first and second places switched and the early leader Adlanta Rose could be said to have peaked a day early as she lacked a little of the sparkle in her day 2 performance. Adlanta Rose is another by the son of Rubenstein, Rotspon and she is out of her breeder, owner, rider - Sara McDonald's FEI mare Adloo Georgia - who has a little Percheron blood somewhere in the mix. Adlanta Rose is gorgeous, such a beautifully well conformed mare with the softest expression and movement to burn - wow. She did seem a little troubled by the atmosphere in the second round and this no doubt, accounted for the 5% lower score. I am sure that Sara and her family will be well pleased with this results as a top 10 finish in this outstanding company is a career hallmark.
Sara McDonald and Adlanta Rose
Third horse was the enormous chestnut gelding Jeff the Chef W ridden again by Silva Stigla. Jeff is said to stand almost 18 hands and it is only when he passes in close proximity that this fact is revealed. Silva is very tall and leggy so looks good on the horse - I cannot imagine that she would look bad on any horse! Jeff is by Rozzie Ryan's outstanding imported stallion Jive Magic (who is a full brother to Rachael Sanna's WEG partner Chatham Park Jac). On the dam side, the pedigree goes back to the Dutch influences of the respected stallion Salute. Jeff the Chef W moved up frm 8th position in the first round with a score of 7.06 to third in the second round of 7.34.
Silva Stigler and Jeff the Chef
Heath Ryan on Clyde Wunderwald's Greenoaks Weltman who is by Man About Town an imported stallion that had much to offer Australian breeders. He was lost to a colic attack and this event has denied us local access to the outstanding lines of the respected stallion Macho (also the sire of the fantastic Trakehner stallion Metternich) I am sure when Clyde imported Man About Town the decision was a little ahead of its time, now this is one of the most prized lines for beauty, elegance and movement. Weltman is out of an imported Weltmeyer mare Greenoaks Weserfee. This young colt made his mark with a consistent 4th place in both rounds. This is a great result and sets the scene for a great future. Well to the entire team behind Weltman's performance.
Heath Ryan and Greenoaks Weltman
Fifth place went to Melinda Morris on the lovely bay TS Schyborne - another by Weltmeyer. I have followed this gorgeous horse for over a year and each time I see him I like him more. He is beautifully conformed and seems to have a heart of gold - anyone would be proud and thrilled to own and ride such a beautiful horse. Melinda saw him in a paddock when she visited the breeder's property looking at another horse they had for sale. She was taken by the bay in the next paddock and asked if she could look at him. Melinda said he was in paddock condition but she could see past this and felt that he would be a nice riding horse and so purchased him at this point. They were 7th in the first round and 5th on the second day. TS Schyborne won the 4 YO class at the young horse classes at the Sydney CDI. He was second in the 4 YO class at the Victorian Dressage Championhips and was the Preliminary Champion at this event. He is a lovely horse with a bery bright future ahead of him. Congratulations.
Melinda Morris and TS Schyborne
Hilwert L the wonderful imported Friesian stallion owned by Erica Lock and ridden by Heather Currie. They traveled from South Australia to be part of the event and I am sure that I was not the only person who was positively mesmerised by the awesome expression and elevation that was shown by this gorgeous boy. I have fallen in love with Friesians ever since I first set eyes on Django of Cacharel. The breed numbers here have grown enormously and I understand that memberships in the Friesian Society of Australia have quadrupled. Hilwert L demonstrates all of the charm of the breed and he had the highest score for canter on the first day (8.0) and finished this first round in third position. He was not so animated in his work on the second day and they finished in 6th place.I am sure that my photos capture the moments that impressed the judges. Good luck to all of his team - I am sure that we will see more of this combination.
Heather Currie and Hilwert L
DP Wedonna the chestnut mare owned and bred by former FEI rider and now proud mum Susie Duddy. Wedonna has impeccable bloodlines and is out of Susie's wonderful mare Donna Carrera (who took part in the Grand Prix with Rozzie Ryan on board. Wedonna is by Weltmeyer (so that makes 3 out of the top 10 by this wonderful stallion) and was an embryo transfer foal which means she was carried and delivered by a surrogate mare. It is fantastic to think that while her mum was competing at FEI level, a less talented performer, but very good mum was making more Donna Carrera's for us to enjoy. Although the marks were higher in the first round, they finished in 10th place. On day two the score was slightly lower but they finished in 7th place. A great effort for all concerned and I am sure Susie and Richard were delighted with the result.
Heath Ryan and DP Wedonna
Donatella and Heide Davison finished the first round in 9th place and moved up one placing in the second round. This elegant horse is by the well respected stallion Don Schufro and from a Northern Congress mare. The judges were impressed with the canter and most experts will agree that a good canter makes a good horse. It is said " a trot can be made, but a canter must be there naturally1" Donatella was bred by her owners Anne and Roger Devney. Heidi and the Devney's have a close relationship and enjoy their involvement with horses.
Heide Davison and Donatella
Flowervale Ferraza and the gorgeous and talented Kylie Burton had a great first round result and finished in 5th place. The elegant Olympic Ferro daughter appears to be a little less mature than some of the other horses in her group and she seems to be a little flat on day two. The marks would suggest that the judges felt that she just did not let go enough to show the same suppleness and aptitude that she did on day one. Kylie did a great job and will be very pleased with their top 10 finish.
Kylie Burton and Flowervale Ferraza
APH Ludo is by Luebeck and from Livorna by Lakai. He is a beautifully marked stallion with a soft and expressive rhythm. His is owned by Goron Toron Stud and ridden by James Miller who showed the benefit of his overseas riding experience. James rode a tactful test and impressed the judges for 6th place after the first round. Ludo was another that was not as perky on day two. This combination settled for 10th place after their day two ride. I am sure that we will see more of Ludo.
James Miller and APH Ludo
