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There were lots of people who worked together to make the 2008 Horseland/EFA National Dressage Championships a resounding success. With the Equine Influenza outbreak enforcing a halt to all shows and events in the latter months of 2007, it was very interesting to see the improvement that two years has made to the sport.
Without doubt, the 2008 Championships brought together to best dressage horses that we have ever seen at National level. Many of the combinations are truly worthy of being called 'international' quality and the optimistic remarks made around the time of the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, are now becoming reality!  It is interesting to consider the predictions of Australian Team member at the Beijing Olympics Games, Heath Ryan. He emphatically says, "If horses are the tools for the sport of Dressage, Australia must improve for we are the biggest customer of European frozen semen and with better "tools" (horses) our riders are sure to improve!" Heath (pictured right at an industry presentation) made these comments at the press conference in Hong Kong and drew questions from the international media contingent. I think that we are seeing his predictions turn into reality when we take a look at the improved percentages, more skilled riding and training and the uplift in the professionalism which is now directed towards the Olympic disciplines. This competition was conducted and run to the highest standards and the glowing reports from the international visitors is good reason to give the organisers our hearty congratulations for their superb efforts.  An event of this size is akin to running a small to medium business with hundreds of thousands of dollars turning over and needing to be carefully managed and accounted for. The general public are being treated to a "show" just as they would, if they purchased theatre tickets or an organised day at a 'main stream' sporting event. Most are happy to pay, but value for money and the professional management of seating, meals, facilities etc must arranged so that everyone has a good time and there are no unforseen disasters. Pictured above right ... from the left is Richard Kennard (Horseland) Cara Whitham (C Line Judge and Chair of the Ground Jury) Toni Venhaus (Event Director) Helen Lawson and Gina Hendrie (Bates). They are pictured proudly making the presentation for the CDI-W winner ... Heath Ryan on Regardez Moi.  The success of an event like the National Dressage Championships starts with adequate funding and a main name sponsor to step in and ensure that the basis of successful organisation is put in place. Horseland have got right behind this event and ensure that it has the infrastructure in place to grow and prosper. From there, the class sponsors, traders and user pay services will be prepared to be involved with an event with systems in place and the funding to ensure that the public will be kept informed, the riders will be catered for and that the event is run in accordance with the FEI rules and guidelines so that the successful combinations in the CDI-W classes will be recognised internationally. There is a huge amount of expertise behind the scenes and the Event Director Toni Venhaus has 'a handle' on every aspect of the Nationals. Horseland see their involvement as a way to compliment a long standing commitment to many of Australia's Elite riders and their sponsorship of the entire Australian Olympic team. Horseland CEO Geoff Sinclair has been an Olympic official for quite some time and sees that by providing the best quality competition at National level, Australia is developing riders to meet the demands of international competition.  The individual class sponsors and the traders also make a significant contribution and it is nice to see the spirit of camaraderie that exists to ensure that it is a win/win for everyone. Pictured right is Event Director Toni Venhaus with visiting German Judge, Peter Holler. The volunteers are the unsung heroes of all large events and at the Nationals. There are hundreds of people who set all 4 days (or a couple) aside, to come and give their time ... and their smile. Many of the volunteers have done 'their' job for years and now have developed very unique skills that blend in to the flow of event planning and therefore, their significant contribution can easily be overlooked. While I do not know all of the volunteers, this acknowledgement is inclusive and means to highlight the fact that the riders, shoppers and diners can enjoy a first class event and the costs are kept to a minimum because of the volunteers' generosity. Pictured below left is Jane Josephs, she is part of the FOP Team (Field of Play) and is involved in arena maintenance, toilet paper to the outside loos and things that would be noticed if they were not done and yet we take for granted. On the right is Simon Barrey who loves to get out there and 'hoon' on the magnificent SIEC tractor which is used for arena maintenance.  | 
Left Jane Josephs
Above Simon Barrey | 
Award winning Volunteer
Jim McSweeney
& Korean Judge Chang Kyoo Yang | 
Cara Whitham (left) from Canada |  |  | Without the competitors there is no competition and competition could not have been closer ... just 10% of 1 mark separated Heath Ryan on Regardez Moi (71.550%) from Rachael Sanna on Jaybee Alabaster (71.450%)
in the Bates Grand Prix Freestyle (CDI-W) class. Both riders agree
that close scores will improve the sport and take forward our best! | 
Sue Hobson and Jan Bird
International Judges from NZ | 
The judges are a very important part of this event. Above is Victorian Virginia Creed (on table right) | 
Anky Australia - part of the
very exciting trade village. | 
The Virtual Tackshop | 
Decor (above) and scoreboard (right) |  | 
a "birds-eye" view for photographer | 
Blas Lago after his Freestyle ride
on Northern Hector - beaming! | 
Sydney's very own Eiffel Tower! | 
First-Aid - fortunately not too many
customers for the weekend. | 
Above -More of the FOP Team
Right - Franz Venhaus |  | 
The Hanoverian Horse Society of Aus
made an impact on their stand and
with Hanoverian horses at the event. | 
The decor at the event was
sensational and very colourful | 
The VIP area well signed and supplied by Hunter Valley Wines | 
Peter Horobin proudly award the winners in the Medium classes. | 
Kathy Drury-Kline part of
the event management team. | 
Karen Lever great helper and
recent RDA Champion!! | 
Rachael Sanna a picture of
concentration for her CDI-W ride.
She rides Jaybee Alabaster
in a Bates Maestro | 
Rozzie Ryan aboard DP Christopher
she and Heath ride in the very
innovative Bates Innova |  |  | Above - views from the wonderful outdoor stadium that was the venue
for the setting for the dressage and showjumping at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000. What a fantastic legacy this event has left for all. | Go to Full Results | Go to Report Index
for proofs contact Berni | 
