Dressage by the Sea Day 3 Wrap Up by Roger Fitzhardinge
JHT Chemistry and John Thompson showing super work today © Stephen Mowbray
Yet another perfect day in paradise with the weather being kind yet again. A huge days classes with some seriously outstanding performances.
The Grand Prix Special sponsored by Cox Architecture, a fabulous win to Calanta taking centre stage after Syriana winning the freestyle yesterday. Hot on her heels was Olympic Qualified JHT Chemistry and John Thompson, showing some superb work with this test really suiting the horses with good passage/extended trot. Calanta perhaps taking the edge through her elasticity as opposed to John Thompson extremely balanced and powerful performance. The young gun Michelle Bakers Bradgate Park Puccini in 3rd place with the judges awarding many good marks. This being his only second Grand Prix Special with some tension still in piaffe and passage and transitions but clearly a super horse for the future with more experience and confidence in this difficult test. Rozzie Ryan a very creditable 4th after an initial halt where she had to climb back from 42% as Jarrah R decided there was no time to stand dead still. From that beginning to almost into 3rd place with 68.404%. As always Rozzie never giving up, clawing her way with some very elegant piaffe and passage moments. This combination keeps everybody on their toes, and she pushes them all the way. Young rider Charlotte Phillips and CP Dresden making the task look easy considering this was her very first Grand Prix start and Grand Prix Special test ever. Hats off to Dresden and his fantastic attitude towards his work, for him every test is a gold medal chance at an Olympic competition.
The Small Tour horses today had the Lewis Trucking Intermediate I freestyle and the beautiful Totilas cross Weihegold’s mother’s progeny Total Recall, collected 1st with 74.360%. An incredible and elastic horse that is new to this level for Jemma, having only had a few starts in Germany before being imported. Caroline Wagner on the ever honest and elegant mare, PHP Sophia cruised effortlessy around the arena, in the trot work especially, for some great marks. Caro showing a better balance and more forward canter picking up marks along the way. Almost another win for this new combination. You would have to stay PHP Sophia looked the steadiest and most consistent throughout the two competitions.
The Lindon Farm Young Rider Freestyle was another fierce class with less than 1.5% between 3rd and 7th. Isabelle Wilcox-Aylward and Revelwood Florentine was the only combination to bump Jessica Dertell off her pedestal this competition, of 9 starts Jess won 8. The beautiful Jazz mare Eskara De Jeu took flight in the extended canter and for a moment looked like they could well steeple chase the arena fence and head into the stunning waterfall and pond. Very cleverly regaining composure then truly making up her freestyle with quick thinking and getting back on track after the walk. Clever riding but this major mistake crawling her mistakes. This is not to distract from the truly beautiful test from Revelwood Florentine. The beautiful mare by the stallion Ferrero Rocher that Amanda Shoobridge used to ride. Amanda a very prominent vet, rider, competitor, and all time friend is no longer with us after suffering a meningococcal episode and suddenly passing away in her sleep in London, awaiting a veterinary function. The young rider classes throughout this competition are full of exceptional future talent, not just the top few but the entire class.
Annabelle Warren and ‘Timmy Almighty© Stephen Mowbray
One of the most fabulous wins of Dressage by the Sea was Timmy Almighty (of unknown breeding)! White stockings, trimmed legs, bay and baldy face! Winning the Prydes EasiFeed Medium Tour Freestyle. It was without a doubt a crowd favourite… refreshing to realise with dedication and good training a horse of such stature can win a Medium Tour Freestyle. It took great riding, long time training and a fabulous musical rendition to deservedly win this test on Anabelle Warren’s behalf. In 2nd place, the expressive and very fancy moving Neversfelde Samiro for Linda Foster.
The O’Neil & Brown 7 year old Round 2 class, blew the judges away with an outstanding win to WillingaPark Quincy B for Jayden Brown. A massive 8.5 including a 9.2 for trot. What can you say about this combination. Winning the Prix St George at their first start and with scores like this, a very good horse owned by Terry Snow, for the future of Australia. To see Jayden and Quincy, the harmony and the excitement this combination exude, is a sight to behold.
What a weekend Jessica Dertell had! © Stephen Mowbray
Jessica Dertell winning both the Bays Coast Roofing Under 25 Grand Prix Freestyle and the River Oaks Junior Freestyle had a very successful day!
Once again thank you to Terry and Ginette Snow and all the team at Willinga Park where nothing seems to be too much trouble! All riders, judges and specators (of which the crowd doubled from last years competition) are very appreciative to have access to such international and wonderful facilities. In fact the Victorians were not concerned by the threat of border closure as a couple more months at Willinga Park would have suited quite well! For Dressage by the Sea, another OUTSTANDING two weekends of competition. We look forward to seeing the constant improvement in dressage, especially being kicked along with the unending passion and vision of Terry Snow and Willinga Park. There is no doubt that this facility boosts every riders ambitions to become better.
You can find out more about the event, including results, here.
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