The all important Grand Prix Dressage competition started at 2 PM on Friday.  The winner of this test carries forward 40 points into the tally for the CDI-W Champion.  All riders taking part in the CDI-W have indicated their preparedness to go overseas ... should they be fortunate to win this Australian final.  The winner of the Kür is awarded 60 points, which makes the Freestyle ride the most important, even so,  all riders realise the importance of a good placing in this 'warm-up' test.

As mentioned previously - the top hat versus hard hat issue has been resolved for this competition thanks to the hard work of the National Dressage Chairperson Deborah McNicol and a couple of the riders.   It certainly was lovely to see our best Grand Prix riders looking elegant as only the top hat and tails allow.

First to go was Queensland based Di Jenkyn on Snowy River Blackwood.  Blackwood is a Warmblood cross with a little Percheron from his dam's side.

Their test was not up to the best efforts but still a steady performance  for 61.88%.

The picture of Blackwood was taken at the 2002 National Dressage Championships in October.

As you can see Di is wearing the 'crash hat' which was essential in order to comply with the insurance cover for this event.

Troubador shows his wonderful expression (which today was a little 'over the top'} here in the flying changes.

Second to go was the reigning National Grand Prix Champion - Nadine Merewether and the stunning stallion Barrabadeen Troubador.  This horse has all the talent in the world... but today was not their day! Nadine is the first to admit that he is a 'real stallion' - intelligent and with a mind of his own - however on this occasion it was clear that he just did not want to play the game.  Troubador was very tense and also not correctly into the bridle.  This allowed him to get his hind legs out the back, lose engagement and the fluency that it brings.  Most of the work contained the above mentioned faults and is was a very disappointing mark of   51.28%. 

Nadine is a wonderful sport and when I spoke to her she smiled and said "Oh well boys will be boys - I just hope that he is OK and able to start in the Kür".  Nadine felt that as her horse has had quite limited exposure to travelling,  the trip and all of the excitement that goes with it had not helped her to get the best from Troubador

Glennis Barrey on Belcam Gaucho by Grannus ll was next - and it was a much improved test which began very well indeed.  Gaucho is really starting to show great activity in the Piaffe and Passage and a little more strength will see him right up there and difficult to beat  The canter work was very nice with the two times changes active and through - the ones could have been bigger!  Glennis is such a focused rider and has a wealth of experience behind her.  The horse seemed to tire as the final Piaffe did not really happen. They scored 61.12%.

Simon Barrey (Glennis' husband} is a great support and a driving force for the NSW Dressage Council.

I am sure that Pretender will be up there and winning in the not too distant future.  They scored 62.92% today which was a great mark.

Peter Bunn himself is a former Olympic shortlisted rider and now acclaimed for being the proud father of top Olympic Eventing rider Olivia.

Stilton's test was expressive and his charismatic rider really 'went for it' in a way that is his trademark. The one niticeable weakness was the resistance in the canter zig zags - but this is a difficult movement if the horse loses balance or concentration!  They scored 64.88% which gave them third placing after the Grand Prix.

Peter Horobin
proudly involved in many of our
yop competitions and top
competition riders.

Try his new Amazone Dressage Saddle
Made especially for the woman rider!

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