1  Mary HANNA Mary & Rob HANNA,G/0/Ch/168/NED/KWPN/(Jazz x Belinda) score 66.667%

Mary Hanna was the winner of this event and she rode her up and coming young Dutch bred gelding Tango V.  Mary purchased the handsome liver chestnut as a young horse when she was staying with his breeder Tineke and Joep Bartels in the Netherlands.  Tineke (and now her daughter Imke Schellekins-Bartels) have been very success in their respective dressage careers and Tineke rode Tango V's sire Jazz at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. 

Tango V is the epitome of what the modern Warmblood breeder is looking to produce with the fine elegant lines of the TB influence and the beautiful movement and rhythm that has been the legacy of the heavier types in the earlier days of performance horse breeding.  Mary has trained and ridden Tango V right from the start and said that her win was even more of a thrill because she has partnered the horse right from the start.  She also told me that this event was Tango V's third start at Grand Prix level and sets up a very positive campaign for their quest for selection in the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky and then on for the 2012 London Olympic Games.  Tango V is the stable mate of Mary's Daughter Gitte Donvig's wonderful  young stallion Shiraz Black, the 2008 Champion of Champions at Dressage with the Stars. 

Regardez Moi commenced his Grand Prix career a couple of years ago and has dominated the sport at the top level in this period.  Heath campaigned the stunning son of the well respected Rubenstein who wowed and dazzled the discerning European fans when he partnered Martina Hanover.  Sadly Rubenstein died at 12 years of age, before he had the chance to show his absolute best.  His Australian owned son shows many of the qualities of his famous sire and rider/trainer Heath Ryan says "This horse is a real piaffe/passage 'machine'.  This is his strength and of course in the Grand Prix tests this is a big mark earner."  Regardez Moi was shortlisted for the Beijing Olympics and as only one horse can qualify, Heath concentrated on his campaign on the older and more seasoned Greenoaks Dundee.

Heath said "I have had a dream run with Regardez Moi, in fact, with all of my team of dressage horses and eventers.  My supporters and sponsors have made a fantastic difference to my success over the years and have made it possible for me to take part in an Olympic campaign." 

"Both Horseland and Bates picked me up when I was un unknown rider.  They have been there with help and the best equipment  I am really pleased with the Bates Innova saddle that I use with the dressage horses.   I find that with the more educated horses it give me such a secure seat and ability to use refined aids and it is also fantastic with the young horses.  I used to get pelted all the time when breaking and working the young horses. In the winter when it is cold and windy, it only takes another horse to kick the boards and ... pow,.. you're off.  In the Innova you have the support of a stock saddle and it means that I can sit out the bucks.  The saddle is fantastic for less confident riders when then come to trial horses.  When the rider is more confident, the horses go better.  Bates really strive to be the best they can and look to work with riders like Rozzie and myself to perfect their saddles and other equipment."

3 Kate TAYLOR-WHEAT 705 Oscar B 64.792 Owned by Kate TAYLOR-WHEAT.
G/96/BR/163/NED/KWPN/(Zeoliet x Zelusiena).  They scored 65.708%.

This talented and appealing 12 YO Dutch bred gelding was purchased and imported by Mary Hanna as a foal and she let him grow and then broke him in and sold him as a young untried 'green broken' prospect.

Kate has demonstrated her good eye for a horse and skill as a trainer and competition rider as she and Oscar B have risen to the top over the past few years.

Oscar B has great appeal and expression and is set to challenge the established combinations for a place on the Aussie team for Kentucky. 

4  Rachael SANNA 2321 Jaybee Alabaster.  Owned and bred by
Bev EDWARDS, Jaybee Stud.  ,S/99/Ch/170/AUS/HANN/(Alabaster x Gloria)
The score today was  64.042%

Jaybee Alabaster's recent success at the NSW State Championships and now, his results at the Nationals will be a very welcome get well boost for Bev who has recently undergone surgery to reconstruct her 'gammy'  knee.  Even though Bev is in the early days of her recovery, she was not daunted by the distances on crutches to see her beautiful stallion perform.  Bev purchased Alabaster's well credentialed mare Gloria (Hanoverian) in Germany when she was positive in foal to the German sire Alabaster.  The resulting colt foal has gone on to exceed Bev's most optimistic expectations and is proving himself the worthy addition to the Jaybee gene pool that Bev predicted. 

Rachael Sanna told me that she has been working with the stallion for 18 months and their work has been demanding as she has stepped things up to take the young stallion from his established 'small tour' training to meet the demands of the Grand Prix work.  Rachael said, "It is really hard, people do not realised just what is involved.  The greater degree of collection and engagement is something that can be difficult to achieve because of the physical difficulties and the job of maintaining the horse's goodwill.  Alabaster is a joy to work with and I have also enjoyed the association with John and Bev Edwards - they have been great."

Rachael added,  "I have also had a great deal of help from Bates and Horseland, they have supported me for over 12 years when I was just a young up and coming rider.  They helped me to get to the Sydney Olympics and they are right  behind my present campaign with Alabaster. I ride is the Bates Maestro saddle - I have one especially fitted for Alabaster and one that I use for all the other horses that I ride.  It seems to fit all of them very well and it is comfortable for me and the horses."

Rachael is an inspiration as she is now that mum of two gorgeous young children and fits riding in around her motherhood responsibilities.

5 Sue HEARN 272 Duntroon the bay gelding is owned by Sue HEARN,
G/95/BA/173/AUS/WB/(Falklands II x Diggers Lass) and this 13 YO's campaign sets sue on course to be considered as the selection period for Kentucky 2012 looms up.
They scored 63.917%

Sue is a popular and experienced rider and trainer and has been working successfully at top level for many years.  She formed part of the travelling Aussie team who travelled to the UK to compete for final selection for the 2004 European Championships at Goodwood.  Sue was the Aussie Reserve rider, and says that the experience she gained on her long term partner, Manhatten was invaluable and most enjoyable.

6 Rozzie RYAN 167 DP Christopher owned by Susan DUDDY,
G/93/Bay/173/AUS/WB/(Salute (Imp) x Catherston Debutante (Imp)) They scored 62.333%

Rozzie has had a very busy year and has been overseas training and competing on Susie Duddy's no 1 Grand Prix horse, the flashy imported Donnerhall mare Donna Carerra,  Rozzie gave Olympic selection her best shot and told me that "Donna just got better and better gaining confidence and strength as their European campaign progressed."  At the end of the day there can only be 4 riders and the two top events - the Olympics and the World Equestrian Games only come around every 4 years and there are bound to be some disappointments.  The riders are all under pressure and I feel that the Australian selector's got the decision right!"

Donna is still overseas and this gave Rozzie the opportunity to prove her versatility and talent as she took the ride on the very different DP Christopher. Christopher has a great pedigree and is by the stallion Salute who was also owned by Susie's family (Marheine) ad he is from the imported mare Catherston Debutante (From Jenny Loriston-Clarke's famous UK stud)

Rozzie and Christopher put in a very polished performance and got better as the show progressed - perhaps this horse is one waiting in the wings!

Rozzie told me that she shares Heath's enthusiasm for the Bates Innova and said that the secure position and added ability to ride with finesse rather than power, is a great benefit in the saddle's design.  She said, " I am not a rider who can ride with a lot of push up to the hand, I like to have my horses light and off the seat.  My saddle is a great way for me to ride in MY style and still get the results of throughness and engagement!"  Both Bates ad Horseland have been valuable supporters in our team."

Heath and I are entering a new era in our lives with our upcoming move from the NSW Equestrian Centre where we have spent the past few decades.  We are both excited about the future and will be scaling down a little.  I am sure that this will not mean any less to do, just a change of focus and Heath and I are very involved in teaching and helping the new generation of riders to achieve their goals.  Bates and Horseland have been very good supporters of the up and coming riders and they are also there for the entire Australian team.  Without this support events such as Olympics and WEG would be difficult for most Aussies."

7 Blas LAGO 1196 Northern Hector.  Owned by Blas LAGO,G/95/CH/173/AUS/WB/(Northern Hermes x Northern Fandango)  Blas scored 61.208% and Hector showed his talent for the Piaffe and Passage. 

This horse shows the fantastic temperament that earned his breeders' Peter and Jan Powles a long term reputation for producing good natured, ride-able and trainable horses.  Hector is fantastically talented in the high scoring aspects of this demanding test - perhaps a little bit of over zealous enthusiasm cause some momentary losses of rhythm and this was costly  If Blas can keep the energy and settle the rhythm - the sky is the limit!!!  Very nice to watch.

8 Amelia KRISTAN 1 Jahnus (below) Owned by Amelia KRISTAN,
G/91/Ch/173/NZL/WB/(Jaguar x Sareign) Scored 60.000%

10 Denise ROGAN 2257 APH Romarn .  Owned by Denise ROGAN,
G/96/BR/163/AUS/HOLST/(Rocadero x Eibe II)  Scored 59.167%

11 Janice USHERWOOD 223 Northern Atlas (below) Owned by Sarah HOWITT,
G/96/Brn/170/AUS/HOLST/(Falklands Victory x Northern Ty Clhloe)  58.833%

12 Nadia COGHLAN 2031 Northern Campion (below) Owned by Nadia COGHLAN,
/93/BR/BL/173/AUS/WB TB/(Northern Congress x Amour Miss) 58.708%

14 Dimity LOUREY 890 Hollybrook Boston  (below) Owned by Dimity LOUREY,G/90/CH/163/AUS/WB/AR/(Kaliber x Karen's Image) They scored 57.000%

15 Kerry MACK 67 Mayfield Pzazz  (below) Owned by Kerry MACK,
S/97/Bay/167/NED/KWPN/(Jazz x Elissa) They scored 55.875%