Gina Montgomery and Forlan, owned by Carol Oatley.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
By Roger Fitzhardinge
After a fantastic night of Grand Prix Freestyles and that record breaking Freestyle win to Mary Hanna and Calanta with an 80.145%, it was back to more exciting competitions in the indoor and Grand Prix arenas.
To start Sunday morning, it was another great test in the Advanced 5C for Willinga Park Fusion. This amazing chestnut athlete showed so much activity swing and balance to dance across the arena with expressive ease, to set the bar at 71.531% and a very solid score. It was Robbie McKinnon who came and swamped the score, with a resounding test on the ever so modern and elegant Silmarillion E. The trot work was effortless and Robbie riding as always in a quiet, effective balance, as was her gelding. A few 9s handed out and for her riding as well! A very realistic score of 75.495% and a thrilling start the day’s competitions.
Willinga Park Royalist and Jayden Brown.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Third to Willinga Park Royalist for Jayden Brown, and then Nina Boyd and Fleur Delacour, and then Furst Dance for Megan Bryant handing in a solid test to be fifth with her stylish Furst Love gelding.
Robbie McKinnon and Silmarillion E.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Robbie and Silmarillion also nailed the Freestyle with a great 76% to win by 5% from Fleur Delacour for Nina Boyd, and Robyne Smith with Snowman in third.
In they Inter I Saturday, it was a win to the very fancy and uphill Forlan with score of 72.853%. A few minor glitches for this Jazz gelding owned by Carol Oatley and ridden by Gina Montgomery. Imported last year, and this is only his second showing and what a career looms for this horse who has expression and presence to burn. Great uphill tendencies in all three good paces, and they are just feeling their way at the moment in the ring, but it’s easy to see there is more gas to come.
This combination won the Freestyle Sunday with a resounding 76.525%, and what a thrill for Carol to see her horse win all three classes, and deservedly so. Forlan is a beautiful horse. Second in the freestyle was Quebec for Shanon McKimmie on 70.45%, with Mindarah Park Ramirus in third, as they were Saturday in the Inter I. A flashy chestnut horse who is developing better collection and push as he progresses up the levels, but is a very big and powerful chap but Mary Warren makes the job look easy.
Mary Warren and Ramirus.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Nina Boyd placed second Saturday with Passion Hit in the Inter I, and at last a test that had consistency and well done to Nina who loves the hot mare and is so patient in getting the mare’s confidence in the arena as she is a superstar athlete.
In the Inter A/B freestyle it was Sky Diamond owned by Terry Snow, and Jayden Brown riding a great test with the trot half passes looking amazing. A score of 72.49% was a good score and another horse looking towards the Grand Prix. Equal second to Neversfelde Springbok and Catherine Chittenden, and Fursten Hit for Breanna Tillitzki both on 67.9%.
Sophie Artup stole the CDI-Y freestyle on 71.165% on Deltry Sorrento, from Kodi Tupper and Endless Dream with a 69.690%.
Willinga Park Fangio won the five year old class with Jayden Brown, from Sonic K and Karen Blythe; 82.6% and 81.8% respectively, and these two were neck and neck the whole show and two wonderful horses with great potential.
It was sad to see the end of the Dressage by the Sea and what an amazing show and what an amazing venue. It was hard for everyone to pack up and leave the wonderful facilities, the heated pool, the great cafes and food, the amazing riding areas and the absolute first class organisation and friendship shown to everyone from the Willinga Park staff. The judges were very impressed and of course its easy to understand why with Dorothee Schneider getting up at 6am to have a two hour ride on a stock horse through the amazing Willinga forests and paddocks that look more like parklands than cattle grazing paddocks. Thanks from the riders to the super judges of which we were lucky to get some of the ground jury for the Olympics. What can you say but this event was ALL CLASS.
Thanks Terry Snow and all who put it together from the stewards and the gate closers, to the announcers, scorers and the event directors. The list goes on but they certainly put on a super show.
Until next year for Dressage By the Sea, it’s see you all then and no doubt bigger and better!
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