Super Saturday at Dressage by the Sea: Roger Fitzhardinge reports

Jayden Brown was all smiles after his win with Quincy B in today’s 6 Year Old class

© Roger Fitzhardinge

By Roger Fitzhardinge

Saturday at Willinga Park, and Dressage By The Sea seems to simply get better and better – as now every competitor has settled in to the life style of the spoilt and more spoilt!

The morning started with a swim in the heated pool then a brisk walk around the gardens and stopping to soak up the early morning sun and look at the fantastic sculptures. A gourmet breakfast and then up to the amazing outdoor arena to watch the 6 Year Old Round 2 class, and just to treat everyone Jayden Brown produced a test that was international on the Quarterback gelding Quincy B. After a 93% test yesterday, today was not quite that, but amazing to get a 91% and what a horse. Gotthilf Riexinger, FEI 5* judge, was glowing and enthusiastic with his comments and what a horse and what a great ride. Today the walk showed a little tension and in the long rein walk the judges would have liked to see him take the neck a little more forward and so the mark of 8.5 was where he lost a few marks, but hey, how amazing. He is a beautiful horse with the attitude of a super star and enough energy to contain and the presence to die for. What a horse and what a canter! Fantastic clear changes and they are flying ones! Jayden makes the test look seamless and the half pass right was elastic and balanced. What a way to start the day. Jayden again second with Emotion on 83.6% and again a great mare who has a ten day old foal in the paddock behind the arena by Sezchuan!!!

Quincy B was simply outstanding again today!

© Roger Fitzhardinge

In the Seven Year Old class it was Iresias L and Gina Montgomery in first place. Gina just can’t get her head around the test and another error today didn’t help the score, but not having to come back and have a second attempt. It hasn’t been the best show for this stallion here this time, but he is still winning. This big bay stallion shows a great deal of hind leg in the trot, and the canter is starting to develop the collection. The changes were confused today but when they are good they also are super. A score of 75.804%, not as good as the test yesterday where they also won the class.

John Thompson and Aber Fontaine MI won the 4 year old class on a 82.8%, beating yesterday’s winner SPH Fortino with an 81%, and another Mulawa entrant, Aber Sinatra MI 3rd on 76%. Lewis Newton and the chestnut that was second yesterday unfortunately retired today.

The CDI Young Rider saw a win to Jessica Dertell and Eskara De Jeu winning with 68.9% ahead of yesterday’s winner Deltry Sorrento with Sophie Artup on 67.29%. Third went to Layla Williams and Welts Salute, ith Charlotte Waterman and Campari AS, last week’s winner in to 4th place. So it’s easy to see the competition at this level is very open and that is great ,and keeps everyone on their toes.

When you are hot you are hot, and Jessica Dertell and Gladestone M H win the Junior Individual Test with a 67.794%, and then Kaitlin Martin and Divina on 65.% with Jemma Geysen third on 60.94%. It is interesting to note that the Juniors are 14 to 18 years old and the Young Riders are 16 to 21, so it’s possible to overlap. Jessica at 16 does this, and a good win in this case in the upper age group.

The Grand Prix Under 25 saw a win to the inform Mary Warren and the stallion and sire of her other two horses here Mindarah Park Ramadan on 69.538%. A horse with piaffe and passage and transitions that bolster up the marks and then the evergreen Utopian Cardinal for Mary Nitschke in second with 65.90%, also with nice piaffe and passage but today lacking a little forward and roundness at times, but Mary gaining wisdom at the level with every ride and great preparation for all the movements. In third was Claire Plenty riding Queensland and a good test for this combination again, this chestnut was formerly owned and ridden by Emma Youngman.

The Grand Prix CDN was perhaps a little disappointing with the winning score a 61.522% to Lets Jazzabit for Lizzie Wilson Fellows, and mistakes so costly but it’s early days for this combination.

Stay tuned for further reports from Dressage by the Sea as the action unfolds!

Read Friday’s report here.