Mary Hanna and Syriana.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
By Roger Fitzhardinge
First out is Adonie and Rozzie Ryan, and an expressive start with big extensions, but despite good crossing in the half pass trot there needed to be a greater degree of collection. The second passage and piaffe tour was much better in tempo rhythms and sitting; this mare is really getting a handle on this now and the improvement was easy to comprehend. With a rider like Rozzie Ryan in the saddle with her experience and composure, the only way is to improve and that they are. A clean set of twos were a little swinging but fluent. The zig zag clean and clear, and a set of ones that started well but a little swinging and not so forward in the final few. Better sitting in the pirouettes, but a change before the second one didn’t help Rozzie, but well corrected indeed. The final centreline was the best the mare has done and especially the piaffe, which she will be very pleased with. An overall score of 66.065% and a great opening to this fantastic group of Grand Prix horses.
Rozzie Ryan and Adonie.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Second in the arena is Mary Hanna on the imported mare Calanta. The bay mare is very collected, but perhaps a modest start in the extended where you are left a little wanting. Very fluent and expressive half passes. Again, a modest extension but what amazing piaffe and passage; expressive and wonderful for good marks for sure. The walk is not her strong point, as it lacks overtrack and purpose, but it’s true. Again the piaffe and passage transitions were wonderful; balanced, easy and rhythmical. The canter very collected and the twos, as were the ones, so that’s good. The pirouettes were both good, but the second could have more suppleness and balance, and stepping a little to the outside didn’t help. The final centerline was again a highlight with ease and harmony to finish a mighty impressive test for 70.696%.
Mary Hanna and Calanta.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
CP Dresden for Alycia Targa were next; they had a rocky start with the Damsey gelding, becoming tense in the trot up and having to represent with no problems this morning. A super energetic test with great control and submission with the half pass trot getting stronger and better as he matures. Great tempos in the extension. Clean transition to passage, and the passage and piaffe a little tight but the second tour better. The canter was uphill and a great fluent big line of twos. This horse shows great training in the straightness and lines that Alycia rides. The ones were also dead straight and the first pirouette small, balanced and controlled, as was the second one. Fluent extensions and transitions, with straight and expressive passage and piaffe down the centreline. A great test for this super trying horse and gaining marks wherever possible. A mistake free test. 66.370%. This little horse often seems a little underscored and you wonder why. Perhaps it’s just that he is a very strong backed horse and sharp mover. He is what he is and Alycia and owner Jane Bruce have a great rapport and another mistake free test for this combination.
From New Zealand we have Letty Lei Edh and Victoria Wall. A very elegant brown mare with great outlook and ground covering trot tour, with the piaffe and the passage even and confident, but perhaps needing a little more bounce and energy for the higher marks. The mare has a nice walk but not always straight and showing a little tension. The second piaffe was better, as was the passage. The changes were clean but could be more elastic and weight carrying, as was the case in the zig zag. The ones were clean but a little croup high and swinging a little left. The pirouettes losing a little in the actual quality and uphill feeling in the canter. The centerline was fine, with the passage a little better than the piaffe. A great clean test and well ridden and effortless. A score of 64.413%. This is a very beautiful combination and easy and harmonious.
Now another NZ Aussie! John Thompson and JHT Chemistry. A big brown stallion with a solid and powerful trot work and good half passes. However, still room for more uphill and freedom in the shoulders, but good balance at this stage for this young horse. The passage was good but could show more elevation and the piaffe just lacked equality in the steps with the right hind a little backwards. The second piaffe was better and strong and easy. The canter could be more uphill, but clean twos and great extended canter. The zig zag was fluent until a green change mistake in the last zag. The pirouettes are a highlight. This young horse at only eight shows a fabulous, confident attitude and a great final centreline and square halt. A great effort and a horse that is only going to get better and better: 68.478%. The two international judges on the short side a little lower and perhaps it was a little due to the lack of uphill tendency, but what a good horse for the future.
John Thompson and JHT Chemistry.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Marvin Smink and Haya, an imported mare. The trot work shows a little inconsistency to the bridle, with the mare not quite connected and the same in the piaffe and the passage. All the same, some energetic and good steps but the lack of steadiness in the frame makes it hard to gain marks. The walk was purposeful and keen. Some resistance in the transitions in the piaffe and the passage, with the frame lacking a continuous through feeling. The twos again looking at times a little hollow and awkward in the bridle. The tension and inconsistencies in the contact make it hard to keep the mare balanced, and so some loss of marks and then a mistake in the last extended trot due to this. Haya is a very elegant and beautiful mare with heaps of potential, but this day the lack of continuity and hence balance spoilt what could make good marks. A score of 62.13% and a fair representation with the mistakes, but promising.
Now Diamond Star, owned by Vicki Newham and now ridden by Sally Rizzuto. A confident start but perhaps a little more suppleness in the half pass trot and not quite making the first one to B. The gelding appeared behind the leg from the beginning. Great extended walk and relaxation. Collected could have more energy in the transitions to passage. The passage and piaffe were not quite as good as he can do, with a little behind the leg making it hard for Sally to get the balance and push. A great set of twos. Unfortunately Sally couldn’t quite count to six in the zig zags and then the pirouettes were a little open and big. Some resistances in the piaffe and then the best passage of the test to the halt. Riding a Grand Prix test is another world of concentration and endeavor, and how quickly you can lose marks. 63.739% was not her best test at all, but with the mistakes the score was unfortunately in keeping especially with the coefficients on two pirouettes and then the piaffe not a highlight today, and this is so important as there are 30 marks for the piaffe and the transitions in and out.
Sally Rizzuto and Diamond Star.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Katharine Farrell and the evergreen Luxor. The extended trot was big but could be a little more from behind, with the hind leg not really coming under enough. The half passes were not always in balance, and slight tempo and rhythms changes. The first piaffe was better than it has been in the past few shows, with a fabulous, purposeful walk and clear collection. Some irregular steps in the passage and then the piaffe was a little resistant and stuck. Clean twos, as was the zig zag. The ones from behind were perfectly straight and clean, and well placed and ridden. Both pirouettes were centred well and uphill. Not a great clarity in the transition to the passage, and again Luxor was not enjoying to piaffe and wanting to quit despite Katharine’s efforts. The mistakes in the piaffe will not aid a good mark, as transitions included here make it hard. 60.913% and an unfortunate score, but with mistakes the marks fall very, very smartly.
Melissa Galloway from NZ and Windermere J’Obei W and wow what a start! with fluent and easy trot work and elasticity in the half passes. The uphill tendency and sitting in the piaffe was fabulous. The walk was a little bouncing and lacked that push for the biggest marks. A clean passage transition and then the piaffe was not as sitting as the first, but expressive passage. The was canter uphill, but could have had a little better ground cover behind. Impressive! This combination gives you a feeling of confidence. Great first pirouette and then the second a little slow and only four steps. A good finish, but the piaffe was a little in the front legs. This is quite the goods. 69.174% and well deserved with her first test out of New Zealand and they looked like they had all the time and experience in the world. It’s like those All Blacks; they come out fighting. This lovely, balanced horse by Johnson out of a thoroughbred mare, and wow this is one to look out for as he is so well balanced and a pleasure to watch. He is only 10 years old and what a future.
Melissa Galloway and Windermere J’Obei W.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Another NZ in Wendi Williamson and Don Amour MH. The half passes expansive but a little quarters trailing in the first, and the extended trot could show more ground cover. The passage was lacking cadence and then a dead stop in the piaffe, despite a vigorous attempt from Wendi… OOPS! The rein back showed tension and was not fluent in rhythm. Good transition to passage and then some modest, carefully ridden piaffe. The zig zag was clean and clear, as were the one tempis, but they could have sat more. The first pirouette was a little laboured and then the second more so, and a little large. The best extended trot was at the end and more forward now to the centerline, with the piaffe a little laboured, then a great halt to end. Wendi will be a little disappointed here, but they only arrived from NZ on Monday so it’s a big ask for this horse by Don Fredrico. 62.587%.
Ferrero Chocolate Box for Sheridyn Ashwood has improved this gelding, with a better engaged and uphill look. The second trot half pass lost a little gas at the end. Some hesitation in the first passage, and the piaffe was active but the transition not so continuous to the passage. The passage tour also fair enough, but the transition in was just too varying in the tempo, but good out. The zig zags had a few disunited steps and in the corner the same. The first pirouette showed some tension and then the second as against the hand and the hind legs high and precariously balanced. That won’t help the score. The
Sheridyn Ashwood and Ferrero Chocolate Box.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Next from Victoria was the Boneo Park manager Fiona Selby and the lovely Tacita. Winners here last year at this competition. Another good start, but the mare need to be a little more on the hindleg, but easy half passes. As always, the piaffe and the passage were expressive and even but again a little more sitting and a forward feel to the hand in the piaffe was needed for the bigger marks. Good clear walks. Could be sharper to passage and again the piaffe was a little behind the leg, and so the transition out a little weak. There were some mistakes in the twos. Good refreshing extended canter. A well ridden zig zag and an unfortunate loo break, for one short change in the ones. The pirouettes were balanced. Great bounce in the half passes; a little behind the leg and off the contact, but well ridden. The last centreline was really nice, to a good active square halt to impress. A score of 65.978%, which was consistent amongst the judges.
Rozzie Ryan in on the liver gelding Jarrah R. The first halt was not super maintained. The passage as active and uphill, as is the piaffe and some good marks here. The walk could be more overtracking in the extension, but clear, active and collected. As is the passage transition, and the piaffe and transitions were also well balanced and maintained. The twos were as ground covering and correct as we have seen from them. Great reach in the zig zag. Rozzie knows how to pick up the marks, however mistakes in the ones so up and down the score scale. Good pirouettes, well controlled and balanced, so up the scale again. Better again in the extension and the final centreline was expressive and fluen,t but perhaps a little tension in the poll. A score of 65.978% was a little disappointing, but a few mistakes didn’t help.
Rozzie Ryan and Jarrah R.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
A very interesting test now for Mary Hanna and Syriana. Not a good start, with a lazy halt and several walk steps to trot. The half pass to the right was not quite to B, but the extended trots were wonderful. The passage was elegant but hollow in to the piaffe, and stalling. A little distracted today in the indoor and the walk frame needed to reach a little more, but good steps. The piaffe again was a little hesitant, but better this time, as was the passage. A mistake in the twos and then the quarters tending to lead in the zig zag, however clean and expressive ones. The pirouettes were not really round enough, and again a little stalling. Wow in the extension, and to the centreline. 70.065%. This is a super, super mare and for sure has plenty more to offer and Mary is still finding her way on this super talented and beautiful mare by Sir Donnerhall, from a thoroughbred-lined mare. Not quite as good today as was seen at Boneo, but it’s early days here and plenty more tests for this super mare.
Syriana, ridden by Mary Hanna.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Melinda Hart and the Rubinstein stallion, Richmond H, starts with some nice work. Good to the piaffe from the passage; they have improved a lot in the last 12 months. The walk here is not his strongest pace and not great marks today. The passage and piaffe again quite adequate and a nice uphill frame into the canter, and all the two tempis correct. The zig zag was fluently sideways and the pirouettes were well prepared and balanced. The centreline to the endwas well ridden and the stallion honest to the end. 63.413%.
Melinda Hart and Richmond H.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Paula Price from Queensland is the final competitor with True Sensation. A snort at an untimely moment, and cantering in the extension. The gelding was showing a few inconsistencies in the bridle, in the halt before the rein back and not steady in the piaffe. However, active, pleasing steps into a good, relaxed extended walk, but fussy and some tension in the collected walk and again inconsistent contact in the piaffe. This horse won here at CDN level last year, and steps up this year to the CDI. They are certainly more forward this year and stronger in all the movements. A highlight in the straight and fluent one tempis. The pirouettes were a little laboured for the better marks; all the same, a good harmony and understanding between the two. No real transition to passage, as the collected trot as a little too cadenced. The halt at the end again had some contact issues, but a good test for one of their first international showings. Their final score was 58.717%.
Mary Hanna a first and a second with two outstanding horses and they truly were outstanding. Today it was a good win to Calanta and well deserved, and obviously the beautiful mare Syriana – despite losing quite a few marks in the test from little glitches – was outstanding in the good parts and the overall feel was quite something. Syriana can for sure make many more percentages on today’s performance and look out when it comes together. All credit to Calanta for a clean and wonderfully effortless test. Perhaps Mary put a little too much pressure on herself with trying to make the best ever test with Syriana, but there’s still the Special and the Freestyle to come, and no worries she will be out to do her best.
What a fantastic competition and many impressive tests.
In third was Melissa Galloway and Windermere J’Obei W, then another NZ rider in John Thompson and JHT Chemistry. Alycia Targa had a good comeback to be fifth, and Rozzie Ryan on Adonie next.
Inter A
The Inter A was quite the class for the up and coming Grand Prix horse testing the water from being very good PSG horses and the class to day went to the tall and elegant brown gelding Senator Nymphenburg for Jenny Gehrke. A score of 68.118% is a good score indeed, and very impressive trot work and the frame so round and uphill. The frame was elegant and way more collected than last year, and this horse is really developing into a stunning horse. There were a few mistakes all the same, and the piaffe still needs to find a better balance but all the same there are good glimpses of impressive steps. As with everything with this hors, he is big and sensitive and Jenny takes her time in a very positive and caring way to make sure he gains confidence and doesn’t revert to being timid and scared. The passage is developing and now the changes are better established.
Second to the impressive (now gelding) in Sky Diamond, owned by Terry Snow. It was his first start at this level and impressive he was. A score of 67.706% was good, considering there were a few glitches along the way where he decided he knew a little better than Jayden. However, the quality of the work has improved a lot, and especially the flying changes which look confident and seriously expressive. The pirouettes were good and better controlled now, and the passage shows good mechanics. The piaffe is still a work in progress, but some good steps, but as yet not established enough for the bigger marks. A super horse for the future and impressively ridden, and looking good under Jayden.
In third place was Breanna Tillitzki and Fursten Hit on 65.353%. Impressive trot work, but the canter tours lacked a consistent rhythm and engagement for collection here. Consistently ridden all the same.
Seven Year Old Young Horse
In the seven year old class, it was a win to Riley Alexander and MI Aber Sienna with 72.3%, being by Aber Hallo for the Mulawa Stud. An impressive frame and getting stronger now, and more experience and confidence helps with the tension. Another horse with a bright future. In second was Ashwood Park Prescott for Sheridyn, and a 70.2%. A fabulous canter, but the trot a little tight at times, but a strong forward thinking horse by VDL Prestige.
Riley Alexander and the Aber Hallo mare, MI Aber Sienna.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Third to Holly Leach and Sugarloaf Amnesty on 69.4%, with Maree Tomkinson on the hot and expressive Total Diva by Totilas from Diamantina in fourth with 69.357%.
Medium 4B
The final test of the day, finishing at nearly 8pm in the indoor, was the Medium 4B and another win for Furst Deluxe on 70.879% by Furstenball, and imported for Maree Tomkinson. This big bay stallion is coming into his own now as a more mature horse, and in a better frame showing good tempos and rhythms in the paces, but still needing more strength and engagement. Maree will certainly be prepared to establish this. A very impressive and well mannered and pleasing attitude in all his work. Tanisha Ryan and Jembrae Rattle n Hum were second on 69.730% and Angela Delamont another good test, this time in third on 68.852% on Southdown Orlando, with Maree and Total Diva fourth on 67.973%; a hot potato and one that has much more to offer, and despite some tension a good test indeed.
Willinga Park is as always simply stunning in every way, especially the entire attitude that exudes from the staff, who are forever friendly and so helpful. Every time you turn up at Willinga, the venue is bigger better and more rider and horse friendly! There is so much expert advice that goes into making this the best venue ever! With the restaurant now in full swing and the conference centre open, you can sit and watch the big screen in the auditorium of all the arenas at the same time whilst grabbing a coffee or a wine and the best food. The new showjumping arena is simply amazing, but not quite finished… but what a great facility that will be. Thanks Willinga, and with the first day coming to a close it was exciting to see so many great tests well ridden!
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