A Fantastic 3 Days of Superb Horses & Horsemanship! Story and Pictures by Berni Saunders - Page 3
Dressage (& Jumping) with the Stars has a long history for breaking new ground with innovation and entertainment and 2009 saw the inaugural awards for Dressage Ponies.
With the interest in Dressage on smaller equines taking off, all over the world, Equestrian Australia and the various registration bodies have got together to promote the sport and ensure that people understand the guidelines and ... just as important ... that there are competition opportunities for ponies/horses of 149 cm and under. At this event we saw the competition restricted to a Material Class for 4 YO's. According to a couple of the entrants, they only became aware of this addition to the program in January, so some worthy contenders did not have enough time to prepare. The class was popular with the spectators and Victorian FEI Charlotte Pedersen did a very good job assessing the top three ponies to decide the Champion.
The ponies were lovely and the eventual winner was the delightful buckskin Kaluda Gold (a Welsh/Arab sport pony stallion) who was beautifully ridden and trained by Carolyn Henley who has gained a reputation for her work with dressage ponies. Charlotte told Roger Fitzhardinge after her ride (right) that Kaluda Gold was the most established in his training of the top three ponies and he felt the same as a horse to ride - no different! "This pony has a good trot and canter and was well trained and very responsive to my aids, he felt great!"
It is hoped that the pony classes in all age groups will be part of the future.
Kaluda Gold and Carolyn Henley
Kaluda Gold with Charlotte Pedersen
Haberfield Beacon - a New Forest Pony owned by Ruth Feltoe and nicely ridden by Justine Greer
Beckworth Strolling Carnival commenced his DWTS preparation in January 09, so not much time. Jacqui Lewis did a great job.
There was a lovely spirit of community out in the stable area - it seemed that everyone was rushing ... and yet people seemed to take the time to help each other. With the horses in Carolyn Henley's team, all under control for the moment Jody and Amy pitched in to help Lesley-Anne's helper Karen. They were soon joined by Verity Spargo's mum who introduced herself as "Faust's mum! It is all about fun and the girls had a good time in shared experiences.
Lesley-Anne Taylor's team prepared the divine Weltklasse for his test. from left Karen, Jodie, Faust's mum and Amy - well done girls.
Getting to know Lone Jorgensen from Denmark was an unexpected bonus for many who attended this event. She gave an informative and interesting riders clinic as a last minute stand-in for the very ill Monica Theodorescu who was unable to give her Saddleworld Masterclass. Lone proved to be a very capable judge of each horse's capabilities, temperament and aptitude so was able to give the riders some very useful hints and exercises to help them achieve their future goals. Like me, most people commented on our good fortune to have this understated expert in the audience ... and willing to step in with no preparation or notice. Well done Lone!
Lone Jorgensen from Denmark
Hayley Gilbert on Odiana K
Julia Battams on the personality stallion Camelot's Clint Eastwood (Imported ) by Clintino
Claire Porz has been lucky enough to work with Lone in Australia before, She rides her imported Danish mare Candi Ka.
The Young Horse classes were what most of us were here to see and 2009 again saw a year on year improvement in the quality and presentation. The format for 4 Year Olds changed a little from 2008 when there were two classes - a Material Class where ridden and in hand assessments were made and then a 4 YO Young Dressage Horse class. This year there was only a 4 YO Material Class which had the in hand presentation of each entry at the end of the ridden round. The horses came into ring in groups of three for their commanded ridden assessment and then all three were sent out to un-saddle and come back in to the ring - in order of the draw for the judges to assess the conformation and type along with the walk. This Material class formed the assessment of the 4 YO's horses and ponies and the top three were ridden by the guest rider with the winner of the horse class being eligible for Champion of Champions.
The 4 YO Young Horse winner was Dr Kerry Mack's Brentano 11 stallion, Mayfield Be Brave who was well ridden by Brya Law. The unflappable stallion is out of Kerry's imported mare Spa Whitegirl who interestingly, was the Champion Show Hunter at the 2009 Barastoc Horse of the Year Show - now that is a versatile mare!!!
The runner up position was a well deserved reward for good systematic training ... on top of great international bloodlines. Jive Time was bred by Heath and Rozzie Ryan and Heath is often heard enthusing about the state of the Australian breeding industry and the wonderful bloodlines that have improved the quality that he is able to offer at their 'travelling roadshow sales' Auction of the Stars. Roger showed us that sound basics and the inherited qualities that make for a trainable horse is a recipe for success. Roger celebrated a birthday over the weekend and I am sure he was happy with this present.
The third placegetter was the imposing imported stallion Rockstar by Real Diamond from Florida a mare by Florestan. I must commend his young rider John Thompson who took the ride for his instructor (and co owner) Bennett Conn, as Ben was nursing an injured wrist and could not ride himself. John is such a nice addition to the Dressage World and he has improved immeasurably since his first appearance on the scene about 12 - 18 months ago.
Panel of three judges Mary Seefried (Aus) Helen Hughes-Keen (NZ) & Monica Theodorescu (Germany)
Winner of the 4 YO Material Class Mayfield Be Brave a stallion by Brentano ll from the imported mare Spa Whitegirl.
Second place was a popular choice ... Roger Fitzhardinge's Jive Magic gelding - Jive Time. Roger celebrated his birthday this weekend (24 I think??) what a nice present to brag about!!
3rd, the imported stallion Rockstar was a little distracted to give his best - but the potential is there. He is by Real Diamond from a Florestan mare. Monica Theodorescu is in the saddle.
The Five Year Old Young Dressage Horse class was a wide open affair with many horses capable of winning. The quality was outstanding and the numbers very gratifying. The overall winner was an Australian bred horse and congratulations go to Mornington Peninsula based, Bianca Barnes who rode and presented her lovely grey gelding - Belcam Cadel - to perfection. Bianca had a few worrying moments in the first round when Cadel showed some resistance near K (or perhaps he got a fright) It seems that the judges were not much fussed about a momentary loss of compliance, provided the horse got back on with the job and did not find excuses for more. Cadel very quickly came back to hand and the outcome proves that all was forgiven from an assessment viewpoint.
The runner-up in the 5 YO class was the horse who was last on in the 1st round. The lovely black stallion Royal Oak ll by Royal Olymp from the Welt Hit ll mare Desiree. He was very well ridden by Deon Stokes and the stallion's obliging temperament shone through. Royal Oak ll did not have the 'flashy' big movement of some, but the picture was very nice, very correct and he showed himself to be wonderfully trainable - what more could you want of a 5 YO stallion??
The third placegetter was Matthew Dowsley riding his own San Jose a stunning import by Sandro Hit and from Raja a mare carrying the prolific Rubenstein/Weltmeyer cross. Matthew told me after the class, that it was a great thrill as he bought the horse as a foal from his good friend Silvia Johanssen in Germany. Matthew met Silvia some years earlier when he purchased San Jose's full sister, Sandro D for a client in Australia. "Silvia and I have remained firm friends and when this fellow came on to the market, I knew the bloodlines and went ahead with confidence." Matthew added, "He was broken in a year ago and he has had the best of everything. He is fed Prydes Easi Response and also Prydes EasiFeed 3 which is a pelleted grain mix. All my horses get this feed, but in different quantities depending on their work, temperament and competition schedule. I am very happy with how well the horses are doing on Prydes. You know Berni, San Jose was a darkish bay and now he is almost black - he looks beautiful, that's what Prydes Feed has done!"
Above right - Prydes Nutritionist Susannah Gazia explains to Colin Gronn (breeder of great dressage horses and showjumpers including Laurie Lever's Olympic star Ashleigh Drossel Dan) Susannah recommend a feeding program to meet your horse's specific needs. Follow this link to the Interactive Diet Sheet.
Belcam Cadel and Bianca Barnes
Royal Oak ll & Deon Stokes
Left is Matthew Dowsley on his imported gelding San Jose by Sandro Hit.
The 6 YO winner is a very special stallion with paces that really excited the panel of judges. Shiraz Black seemed to get better as the competition progressed and he was able to draw on the experience of his 2008 Champion of Champions appearance to guide him through his rounds this year. The first and second placed horses in this class were the only ones to perform the changes in a foot perfect and fluent manner and Shiraz Black was ultimately rewarded for the seldom seen quality of canter that is so special in this young stallion. Shiraz has now gained the strength and education which has improved his trot and the judges were very impressed with all of his paces and a 9 for canter and 8 for trot says it all! Gitte Donvig did a very good job to keep her young stallion concentrating and attentive.
The 6 YO Runner up was the leggy chestnut gelding Solletico by Hanoverian stallion Domingo from a TB mare, Shakedown Lass by Holiday Gambler. Solletico was beautifully trained and ridden by his breeder and owner, Cathy Chittenden who can be very proud of her achievements on all counts. The horse is a tall athletic type with a definite TB style about him. He belied the reputation often attributed to the TB temperament and was calm and obedient with the canter work and changes, a highlight!
The 3rd place in the 6 YO class went to Maurie and Jane Bruce's lovely Hanoverian gelding Neversfelde Weltsong. This horse proves that performance bloodlines DO make a difference. He is out of the Bruce's outstanding FEI mare Neversfelde Kudu (she is out of the TB mare Space Hostess) by Weltmeyer. I can see many similarities in the way of going between mother and son and it was great reward for the "Neversfelde" breeding program that has been carefully considered and planned by Jane and Maurie Bruce, as they sought to lift the quality here in Australia. Weltsong has recently partnered the promising young rider Alicia Targa, who is overseas for 6 months. In her absence, Brett Parbery took over the reins.
PS You can take a look at the HHSA's inaugural Hanoverian Foal Catalogue - there are fabulous young horses and some stars of the future listed.
Solletico & Cathy Chittenden
Neversfelde Weltsong and Brett Parbery
Ulf MÅ‘ller stepped in to ride the top three after the second rounds of competition. Monica Theodorescu was unable to ride the horses as was promised, as she came down with the flu and lost her voice.
Ulf really asked "some questions" and took these youngsters out of their comfort zone - Ulf rode so effectively and well - he a world authority with young horse selection and training and no doubt felt that a horse will not go on, unless it can cope with a few "uncomfortable" moments! All of the horses performed creditably, but the feeling that Ulf got when riding the canter of Shiraz Black was clearly obvious and so, the deciding factor - just as it was for Christof Koschel in 2008.
Shiraz Black was named the 2009 Champion of Champions for the 2nd Year in succession. Congratulation must go to Mary and Rob Hanna who imported Shiraz Black as a youngster ... and of course to his rider and trainer, Gitte Donvig who has followed the correct training principals and allowed this talented young horse to keep improving. Perhaps they will represent Australia at a future Olympic Games?
DRESSAGE Champion of Champions
6 YO Stallion SHIRAZ BLACK (Sandro Hit/ Djemina/Donnerhall)
Dressage (& Jumping) with the Stars has a long history for breaking new ground with innovation and entertainment and 2009 saw the inaugural awards for Dressage Ponies. 
The ponies were lovely and the eventual winner was the delightful buckskin
Getting to know Lone Jorgensen from Denmark was an unexpected bonus for many who attended this event. She gave an informative and interesting riders clinic as a last minute stand-in for the very ill Monica Theodorescu who was unable to give her Saddleworld Masterclass. Lone proved to be a very capable judge of each horse's capabilities, temperament and aptitude so was able to give the riders some very useful hints and exercises to help them achieve their future goals. Like me, most people commented on our good fortune to have this understated expert in the audience ... and willing to step in with no preparation or notice. Well done Lone!
"He was broken in a year ago and he has had the best of everything. He is fed 
Ulf MÅ‘ller stepped in to ride the top three after the second rounds of competition. Monica Theodorescu was unable to ride the horses as was promised, as she came down with the flu and lost her voice. 
