Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships - Day Three

Deon Stokes (WA) riding Bellario in the Medium 4C (All photos: Franz Venhaus)

Fern Wright riding Kamber Pryder in the Young Rider CDI-Y Freestyle

Matthew Dowsley (NSW) riding Flavio in the Prix St Georges Challenge

There are so many components that make a successful event. The biggest influence is the weather; it affects the atmosphere, the number of spectators, the condition of the arenas and most importantly it affects the performance of the horse and rider. With a forecast of clear skies, 23 degrees, the third day of the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships was destined to be a beauty!

One of the best things about being at such an event for the duration is that you get a feel of which horse and rider combinations are going to be the one to watch. Most spectators catch on to this and a small army of supporters travel from arena to arena watching Australia’s best.

The Ray White Acreage Medium 4B and 4C had 35 competitors. The first horse and rider combination to impress was Western Australian rider Deon Stokes and the stallion Bellario. Deon has travelled nearly 4,000 kilometres to compete at these championships and by the response from the judges and spectators it was well worth the miles. This combination scored 71.111 in the 4B and then went on to score 71.417 in the 4C. This was not only enough to win both classes but it also made  Deon and Kate Barton’s stallion Bellario the Ray White Acreage Medium Champion.

Once again it was Deon Stokes riding Kate Barton’s stallion Bellario who won the Gow-Gates Advanced Freestyle, scoring 69.167. Hot on his heels was Queensland rider Victoria Welch on the beautiful grey mare Glogau. This combination scored 69.000. Her choreography was beautiful and flowing- very easy to the eye. Both these riders have obviously done a great job in training their horses – the horses were attentive, the rider’s position was relaxed and correct as their hands gently kept contact with their horse. Third went to Heath Ryan and the very well conformed, Johnny Depp (owned by Rebecca Notley). Together they scored 67.250.

A highlight of the day was watching the winner of the Pryde’s EasiFeed FEI Young Rider Freestyle CDI-Y. Victorian rider Fern Wright and her energetic Welsh Cob, Kamber Pryderi, showed the big warmbloods what the smaller breeds are capable of. The music was uplifting and refreshing which perfectly suited this impressive combination. Well done!

The Equestrian Australia Prix St Georges Challenge is a great competition. The criteria to qualify is designed so only the top competitors from the previous year get to compete – they have to have 3 qualifying scores officiated by at least one A level judge. The horse also has to be 10 years or under during the qualifying period. As a result, it is a showcase of some of Australia’s most talented up and coming small tour horses. Brett Parbery and Susan Duddy’s gelding DP Weltmieser did an accurate test giving them a score of 67.342. When Tor Van Den Berge on Cheryl O’Brien’s stallion, Lauries As, had his ride things changed. It was an absolute pleasure to watch this horse and rider weave their way around the arena. It was a test of precision and class. I remember thinking; they will have to be the winner. WRONG!

Straight after the break, Matthew Dowsley on Linda and Beau Dowsett’s big gelding Flavio wowed the crowd with a nearly flawless test. They managed to score a whopping 71.184. What a great display of horsemanship!

Another class, which showcases up and coming dressage horses was the Equitak Excel Young Horse Qualifier for 5-year-old horses. Cassia Montgomery on Kate Brydon’s gelding Revelwood Marmalade won (7.160). Second went to Ruth Schneeberger on Cheryl Hatswell’s mare Ponderos Stud Royal Dancer (7.060) and third went to the very popular Denise Rogan on her mother’s mare Just One Wish (7.040).

By: Scott Pollock

Quick Links

• All the detailed results can be found at www.dressagensw.com.au/nationals
• See more photos in the Horsezone photo gallery - more to be uploaded