Sydney CDI – NSW Young Dressage Horse Finals

Rodney Martin on SS Dante (photo: Franz Venhaus)

Guest Rider, Anna-Sophie Fiebelkorn, riding W. Ellington (photo: Franz Venhaus)

 

Flora Freeman, who has been following Young Horse classes for a number of years gave me an overview of the first round of the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia NSW Young Horse Championships (sponsored by the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia). Round one of this qualifier brought out some very good young horses. 

6 Year Olds: “San Andreas with Jayden Brown in the saddle came first scoring 8.30. This quality horse and his experienced rider, showed his best qualities. He has been brought through the levels on the correct training path, and gave Jayden a lovely ride. Australia will miss this great combination, if the gelding goes to Germany to be sold!” Second was Milford Dominique, ridden by Glenda De Wit (7.44). “This honest mare showed correct schooling, and was on the right training path for this level.” Third went to Lady Sinatra, ridden by Tor Van Den Berge (7.32), and fourth went to WS Donnerman, ridden by Caroline Wagner (7.24). Flora said, “This gelding showed us a lovely uphill way of going and was another with much potential.” The judges for the first round were, Lesley Sullivan and Pip Longworth. They felt that some of the riders were “playing it too safe”. A number of the horses showed lack of engagement, energy and expression. There were some submission and contact issues, and also some lateral submission issues.

5 Year Olds: SS Dante, the Welfenadel (imp)/Donner Carina (imp) Hanoverian Gelding ridden by Rodney Martin, led the first round with 7.98, it seems attempting to continue the success this combination had at the PSI Dressage with the Stars in March, as Champion of Champions. They were closely followed by the typey Locksley II/De Niro gelding Remi Lord Loxley and Tor Van Den Berg with 7.44. Jayden Brown and the Australian Warmblood Lacoste F (APH Ludo) finished on third today with 7.34 then came the imported Westphalian For Fun 45 (Fifty Cent), 7.24 with rider Danica Vansleve. The Judges Sue Scaysbrook and Jill Cobcroft felt that there were a number of horses showing potential with very nice types for dressage at the higher levels but that overall, further engagement and a more uphill, balanced way of going and more elastic contact was needed.

4 Year Olds: It is always great to see the “babies”. Our 4 year olds this year did not disappoint and we just hope that they are brought on according to the training scale, and ridden with sensitivity and tact. Maree Tomkinson with Saddle Up Romper Stomper, elegant, flowing and expressive, she impressed our Judges Nicole Tough and Jane Bruce and scored 8.26. Nina Boyd with Revelwood Smash It, on 8.06, showed correct training and good mechanics. Andrew Buckley and the beautifully marked Stallion, W.Ellington 8.0, showed great flair, but sometimes needed to be more established and centred. Hayley Gilbert with Sugarloaf Rubinell on 7.84, made the trip from Victoria worthwhile, with this lovely active, expressive mare, who shows great potential, but is still a little green.

On Day two of the Sydney CDI, the top 10 in the 4, 5, and 6 year old classes, rode off for a place in the top three, and a chance to take out the Championship in their age group. Anna-Sophie Fiebelkorn, a highly successful German rider, with many Bundeschampionship and World Young Horse Championship wins, will test ride the top three in each age group.

The top three are as follows:

6 year olds:

1. San Andreas and Jayden Brown 8.14. This harmonious combination are soon to be lost to Australia, but Jayden hopes to ride him representing Australia in the World Young Horse Championship, 2013 in Verden Germany this August. After the CDI, San Andreas will join Flavio and Dante ( not SS Dante) all owned by Beau Dowsett to fly to Germany to train with Hubertus Hufendieck, and be sold. 2. Neversfelde Samiro and Linda Foster, 7.40.3. Rattle N Hum with Kaz Roe, 7.16 and Lady Sinatra with Tor Van Den Berg, 7.16.

5 Year Olds:

1. SS Dante (8.68) and Rodney Martin 2. CP Dresden (7.80) and Alycia Targa 3. Lady Sinatra (7.48) and Tor Van Den Berge

4 Year Olds:

1. Degage (8.28) and Wayne Williams 2. W. Ellington (8.0) and Andrew Buckley 3. Tulara Fidette (7.88) and John Thompson

On the third day of the Sydney CDI, the finals of the HHSA NSW YOUNG HORSE FINALS was held in the indoor. The judges were Katrina Wust (GER); Wim Ernes (NED) and Susan Hoevenaars (AUS).

Guest rider Anna-Sophie Fiebelkorn (GER), showed just how to ride a young horse. With style, tact, and skill she rode all ten of the finalists in the 4/5/and 6 year old class (in the 6 year olds there was an equal third).

In each class there was a standout winner. The 4 year old was the Stallion W.Ellington, a 16.2 hand Oldenberg bred in the USA and imported as a foal by Tracey Watson and is now co-owned by rider Andrew Buckley . He is by Dutch Stallion Wynton, out of and Oldenberg Dream of Glory Mare. His average score was 8.5 after 9.00 from the test riders, and 8.5 average.

SS Dante and Rodney Martin convincingly won the 5 year old Championship. This charming gelding, owned and bred by Andrea Beatty of Saffron Stables in Sydney is by Welfenadel out of Donner Carina (imp) who is by Dormello. He is Hanoverian registered, and was awarded 9.5 by Anna-Sophie, and 8.5 average by the Judges for a final score of 9.0.

The six year old class gave us a great result for San Andreas and Jayden Brown. This 17 hand gelding by Sandro Hit out of a Walt Disney/Bolero mare (imp) is being sent back to Germany by owners Beau and Linda Dowsett from Queensland, and it is hoped that Jayden will qualify for the World Young Horse Championship with San Andreas in August 2013. He scored 9.5 from the test rider and averaged 8.5 from the Judges so an overall score of 9.0 today.

The Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia is to be congratulated for sponsoring this event, and bringing Anna- Sophie from Germany to test ride. This unique exhibition of excellent young horses with their riders, is so popular with spectators in the indoor arena at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, you can hear a pin drop as they lean forward to hear the expert commentary of the Judges and the comments of the test rider and the all-important marks.

Thank you to all who made this final piece of the three day young horse competition so interesting.

By: Scott Pollock