The Kur was a win/win/win situation for the main competition sponsor Horseland and the class sponsor Bates, as both companies individually sponsor the top three riders in this class. The final placings got down to a nail biting finish with just .100% between the stallion Regardez Moi ridden by Heath Ryan (71.550%) in first place ... and Jaybee Alabaster another stallion, by Alabaster (Germany) who was imported in his Hanoverian dam Gloria by Jaybee Farm - who scored 71.450%, for second place.
Heath rode a very winning test and the experience of his Rubenstein stallion and their secure training in the highly important piaffe/passage segments of the test, was the small difference that won the top award on the night. Heath said after the presentation ceremony
"It was a great competition and this close result pushes us to go home and find ways to make improvements ... and just get better." Left - Regardez Moi takes a bow and enjoys his time in the limelight
Heath and Rozzie (pictured in her Saddle) ride in a Bates Innova and Heath told me when we caught up in the Bates stand that they love the saddle and find that the design gives great control and effective use of the aids, with the well educated horses ... and on the young horses, the saddle is a real confidence boost for staff and anyone coming to trial the horses. He laughed and said, "I always used to get pelted a couple of times a year by a young horse that got a fright or something - since riding in the Innova, I do not get pelted anymore... and that has got to be good!"
Jaybee Alabaster is a new face at the top level of the sport and the handsome liver chestnut stallion was bred by Jaybee Farm in Queensland and is trained and campaigned by Australian 2000, 6th place Olympic team member Rachael Sanna who said that she has loved her 18 months with the stallion.
"He has done everything right in the step up to Grand Prix. He has made the transition from his solid performances at Prix St Georges and Intermediate 1. - It is a huge step up and a delicate balance to keep a stallion enthusiastic and keen to co-operate with his rider. Alabaster is a joy to ride and I feel very privileged to work with him and his owners, John and Bev Edwards - they are great. We are now feeling very comfortable about the horse's chances for Kentucky in 2010 and also the next Olympics in London. So, fingers crossed that the next 18 months will be as fantastic as the past year and a half!" Rachael said following her ride.
Rozzie Ryan took third place on Susie Duddy's Dutch bred gelding DP Christopher by Salute (Saluut) from the imported mare Catherston Debutant, with a score of 66.250%. All three riders acknowledge the support of both Bates and Horseland in their personal achievements and for their support of all Australian Team riders. Heath said, "Rozzie is a great competitor and my greatest rival - we work well pushing each other and she will be there looking for her place on the 2010 WEG Team."
Tango V, the Dutch bred gelding (by Jazz from Belinda) and Mary Hanna were 4th in the Kűr competition. Tango won the Grand Prix test on Friday in the outdoor Olympic arena, but was not quite up to the same form indoors and under lights. Mary told me later, "He was a little worried about the atmosphere and did feel quite as 'with me' as he did on Friday. It is still early days as this is only Tango's third Grand Prix start and I am very pleased with my horse and know that this experience will give him confidence for the future."
This is how the individual rides went...
First to go was NSW rider Denise Rogan riding APH Romarn (1996) an Australian bred Holsteiner by Rocadero. They worked to a catchy musical compilation which was easy to like! The piaffe and passage lacked the strength and security to give it high scoring regularity and power. The horse has a nice trot and the beat of the music was well suited in style and tempo. The walk segment was done to a voice accompaniment to song, "Wonderful Life". This suited the mood very well and created some dramatic effect. Unfortunately Romarn came above the bit in the flying changes, but he did some very nice double pirouettes. The overall mark was 61.250% and they finished in 10th place.
Next on is Jaybee Anzac and the elegant ex "Kiwi" ballerina Nicole Magoffin, from Queensland. Anzac has improved and really shows that a horse with a reliable and trainable temperament who receives systematic basic training can achieve great things.
I felt that Nicole's presentation was slightly under her usual standard as her hair was in a pony tail and not styled up under her top hat. I found out later that she had a mix up with times and had only 6 minutes to get changed, on the horse and up to the indoor arena from the stables. Her ride up the hill was the 'warm up' and therefore the hair was a minor problem.
Under these adverse circumstances, Nicole and Anzac did a fantastic job. The well conformed 14 YO gelding is by Aachimedes and from the TB mare Connor County XX. He was bred by Bev & John Edwards Jaybee Farm in Queensland. Nicole's music set up some patriotic competitiveness as she entered to the "war chant of the All Blacks" it made the audience sit up and take notice.
Nicole's ambitious opening series of one times changes - on the centre line - were done to the Bee Gees "Staying Alive". Her dance experience and musical flair were evident in the way Nicole presented her work and they went on to put in some nice double canter pirouettes. Bridle resistance spoiled the half passes in canter but it was not kept up for long.
he great pop hit "Build me up Buttercup" (not sure if that is the title or just the theme of the tune) was a good choice for the trot work. Anzac shows a great willingness to please, particularly in his extensions and the collected work which both show great expression.
I Will Survive - was the theme for the piaffe/passage and it was nicely done and clearly on the beat. 62.100% and 8th placing was a great result after a trot up the hill warm up. I am sure we will see this horse move up the ladder during the coming season.
Northern Atlas (1996) is an Australian Holsteiner by Falkland’s Victory from Northern Ty Chloe (by Ty Cardin) and bred at the Northern Warmblood Stud in Victoria.
He is owned by Sarah Howitt and ridden by popular NSW rider Janice Usherwood. Janice said of her horse, "I believe that he has a fantastic heart. His heart is only outdone by the size of the horse's feet"
Janice won fans for her innovation and style with the performing troupe "The Usherettes" who used to get together and ride their entertaining presentations for us, some years ago. This musical ability and sense of style was evident in the ethereal opening in walk that Janice chose for her GP test. Then she moved on to piaffe and passage work, the colour and variation made for an interesting performance.
The canter music had a good beat and the double pirouettes added to the artistic impression that is so important at this level. The 2 times changes had a little hiccup and this detracted from the otherwise nice quality and expression and will effect the technical score. I am sure that the judges would have commended the power and regularity of the piaffe and passage ... and as Atlas is only 12, he has some time on his side to strengthen and improve. He is a real gentleman and is sure to be knocking on some doors in the near future. Janice and Atlas scored 61.300% and gained 9th place.
Hollybrook Boston born 1990 is next out. The 18 YO Arabian Warmblood is 3 years older than his rider Dimity Lourey who is just 15 and enjoying her time learning all about the sport from this talented schoolmaster. Boston is by the imported Trakehner stallion Kaliber and from a very well performed show horse ( Anglo Arab) Karens Image. I know a lot about Boston as he was with me from 1 year old to 15 years old and I also loved every minute with him.
The elegant chestnut entered the ring in his usual perky way with wonderful self carriage and a real spring in his step. The first extended trot was expressive, but he seemed to tighten a little after the first shoulder in from F to B.
Cara Whitham (right) allowed him to do the 8 meter circle and she rang the bell as they performed the trot half pass. I did not feel that Boston was lame - perhaps a little tight in his hind legs. But with the welfare of the horse being the a prime consideration, the judges cannot risk that something is wrong and Dimity retired. I spoke with her later and she said that the horse was fine and everything was good on Sunday - such a pity for this talented young rider who has made such progress in the past couple of years.
The next combination is ex-pat Victorian, Nadia Coghlan on another "Northern" bred horse, Northern Campion (by Northern Congress from Amour Miss).
This 15YO "jet setting" gelding started life in Kyabram Victoria and travelled to Europe with Nadia for several years training and competition experience.
He has returned to partner his talented rider, who now makes NSW her home. Nadia chose a collection of compelling rock anthems to accompany her freestyle ride and I loved the way the beat picked up the piaffe and passage rhythm. Campion shows a sincere desire to please and this caused him to over-try and lose some regularity in the piaffe. This will be costly as there is also a mark for the transitions between the piaffe and passage. The trot work was expressive and it was a lovely lyrical theme for the walk.
Neil Diamond's "Crunchy Granola Suite" was the choice for the canter and it was done with fun and flair. Nadia pulled off some nice moments in this work but one of the ambitious double pirouettes got a bit tangled near the H marker. A few mistakes in the first sequence of 1 times changes ... but Nadia nails the centre line of one times and makes them a great way to finish her test
They score 60.750% and this is a little disappointing, for 11th place. Nadia told me later that Campion was a little worried by the atmosphere and this made him try too hard and then lose some rhythm. "It was hard to get him back listening to me and when tension creeps in it spoils the rhythm.
Nadia told me later, "I know it is the regularity and expression that earns the big marks - he has been doing this so well at home! It is very disappointing to come out and not be able to produce out best. He is a very good horse and I know that it is the experience at the big events that is needed to take the next step. I had a great ride and value the support of my family and sponsor Prydes Feeds"
Sue Hearn and Duntroon, a 1995 Australian bred Warmblood gelding by Falkland II from Diggers Lass XX, were next out.
Sue is better known for her illustrious career on the enormous black TB gelding Manhattan, with whom she travelled to the UK and Europe as the Australian Team Reserve rider for the 2003 European Championships, held at Goodwood.
Sue did not get to ride for Australia, but she gained heaps in experience and confidence and this showed in the wonderful presentation of tonight's test, on her new GP star. Duntroon has been a big improver and is now set to make his mark. Sue chose the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" to pick up the beat of the passage and this was well done. The next song goes ... God only knows what I'd do without you ... and this is a very nice change of mood. They chose (Ba, Ba, Ba) Barbra-Anne for the canter. From a technical viewpoint the double pirouettes are very obedient but the horse showed his lack of experience and strength when he became hollow! There was a lot to like about this 'toe tapping' selection of music and it was a well choreographed and ridden test. Sue and Duntroon scored 64.000% and ended the evening in 6th place.
Jahnus, the huge chestnut gelding was bred in New Zealand by Diane Crisp (Jaguar X Sareign). He and Amelia Kristan are next to go representing NSW. This horse was imported to Australia by Clemens and Judy Dierks and soon went to the very talented Australian International rider Emma Youngman. Jahnus is very elegant and has proven himself a worthy competitor on many occasions. Amelia chose a collection of upbeat dance themes and one I recognised was by Gloria Esteffan. "Lady Marmalade" picked up the beat of the piaffe/passage tour but perhaps there was some weakness in the activity and engagement of the hind legs which I felt affected the technical excellence of the test. The walk was lovely to "Fly Away" and they moved into canter - the layout was nicely drafted to take in double pirouettes. Jahnus got muddled in the 2 times changes which were done on the half circle. The move into the 1 times was not clear as mistakes made the point of change a little unclear. They were costly mistakes as the flow of the test, the artistry, harmony and technical marks were all affected. They scored 58.750% for 12th place.
