Story & Pictures by Tracy Mayhew & Berni Saunders - Page 3
Fashion Parade in the Garden
The unique nature of this event is that it is all about fun and friendship. So often competitions do not allow for a relaxed atmosphere and the time to mingle and socialise - we all value the friends we make in the sport ... and acknowledge the opportunity to meet new friends or 'network' but when timing considerations and competitive pressures are involved, we just do not get the chance to do things just for pleasure.
The QLD Festival of Dressage was conceived to bring the Queensland (or anyone interested) dressage community together at a time when the free movement around the state was halted due to the Equine Influenza outbreak in 2007. While all of Queensland was affected, restricted movement and fears of turning all of Australia into an Influenza hot spot meant that enthusiasts were starved of activities and 'stir crazy'!
The say that "necessity is the mother of invention" and the limited opportunities for hands on horse activities allowed the successful trial of other activities.
The popularity of the Fashion Parade in the Garden has demanded that the Seminar Centre and the Main Arena take a break to allow everyone to join in the light-hearted fun. Here are some pics.
The Fashions in the Garden commenced with a display by dance troop.
Nicole Magoffin shows off the latest Bella Equus fashions.
Even Qld State Coach, Carlos de Cleermaecker got into the swing of things in the Fashion Show.
Dressage ‘divas’ aka Liz Owens and Anita Scampton get into the mood of the moment displaying style and elegance.
The fashion parade was an opportunity to show the latest in conventional competition clothes and accessories as well as bright coloured fashion.
Look at the interest in Fashions in the Garden!
From the outdoor venue the crowd were invited back inside for a Stallion Parade by some of the most beautiful horses - and so well ridden.
The high open section of the Pine Lodge indoor arena is notoriously difficult for taking photos. The strong beaming light affects the cameras metering and makes the pictures dark, fuzzy and lacking clarity and colour. I did the best job possible, but felt that it was best to include the "official page" with the stallion details and contact information.
.: 2009 Stallion Parade :.
Leadburn Rotstein
LEADBURN ROTSTEIN Sire: Rotspon (Rubinstein) Dam: F W Marrianne (Falkland/Daktylus/Monopol) Stud Fee: $1100 incl. GST
Rotstein has an amazing temperament, outstanding rideability and a great training ethic. His progeny are arriving well stamped by their father and already looking to be of outstanding types, with great temperaments to match.
Rotstein in his limited career outings has been successful at National and State Dressage Championships including Young Horse classes.
Presently he is competing Elementary, with average score's of 68%, and is preparing to master the next level Medium.
RIVER RANGE COUPE DE GRACE Sire: River Range Copenhagen (Northern Classic) Dam: Benalbyn Classique (Weltmeyer) Stud Fee: $1320 incl. GST
Coupe De Grace shows amazing hock engagement in all 3 paces. He has recently been started under saddle and is proving to be an enjoyable ride and a real character! His temperament is as good as his sires and we believe he will be one to keep an eye on as he is trained through the levels of dressage, definitely a future Grand Prix prospect. River Range Warmbloods - Linda Shore
Armistice's first competition season in 2007 saw him win numerous competitions and championships in Queensland. His foals are tall, elegant and athletic, all displaying their father's exceptional temperament and stunning good looks. Don't miss this opportunity to breed to the only licensed son of supersire Anamour in Australia.
GROUCHO MARX Sire: Lubeck Dam: Miniroc (Rocadero) Stud Fee: $1500 plus GST Talent of the highest calibre and the perfect gentleman to handle and ride. First foal crop – all elite with amazing paces, like their sire. Groucho has recently commenced his dressage career under trainer and coach Byron Cann with great results and rave reviews.
GT Stirling is a rising 4 year old Black stallion expected to mature 16.2HH.
This enchanting Black son of Stedinger is an exciting young stallion presented in a modern riding type, matched with power and scope. His sire Stedinger was the radiant and unequivocal winner of the 2005 Oldenburg stallion testing. Stedinger's sire Sandro hit was the 1999 world champion of the 6yo dressage horse class and has become one of the most sought after contemporary sires of today.
Stirling's Dam GT Concur - is by the imported stallion Contango II from a mare by the imported and exported stallion Aachen. Stirling has been a delight in his early handling and training under saddle, and we look forward to beginning his career in sport as well as eagerly anticipating his value as a breeding stallion for Australia.
Owner - Christine Doan Goron Toron Warmblood Stud - James Miller
Kings Legend: (Pictured left) At only 7 years of age Legend is competing PSG/Int 1 and training GP. He won young horse of the year in 2007 and 2008 plus he has also won championships at Prelim, Novice, Elementary, Medium and Advanced. Kings Centrefold: Winner of championships at Prelim, Novice, Elementary and training FEI at only 5 years of age. Unfortunately he stopped competing due to a paddock injury.
LAURIES AS (Imp.) Sire: Londonderry (Lauries Crusader xx) Dam: St Pr St. Pik Lady (Pik Bube/Golden Miller) Stud Fee: $3000 plus GST
Ace was purchased by Remi Stud at the Hanoverian Elite Auction in April 2008. He qualified for the Bundeschampionate as a 5 year old in 2007 with scores from 8.5—9.0 and he had already won 6 x L level competitions with Sandra Koetter in Germany prior to our purchase. He has had a very successful start to his competition season with Joern Kubelke. At his first competition in May 2008, he won another L level competition and also won his first M level competition with scores of 9 for trot, 8.5 for canter and 8.5 for walk. Ace has a top class performance pedigree and is a truly beautiful stallion. Remi Stud - Cheryl O'Brien