Aussies Win Trans Tasman Dressage Derby

The Trans Tasman Derby is always hotly contested, as New Zealand vies with rival Australia for the prestige of the annual title. This year’s Pelorus Trust NZ Pony & Young Rider Championships was no exception and watching the action in the warm up arena, it was clear this would be a closely fought battle.

As is often the case with dressage, even the best efforts of the riders can be foiled by the unexpected. Horses spooking at flowers and judges tables added an element of the unknown to the event, but all four riders carried on with poise despite the mishaps.

Australia emerged triumphant with a final score of 248 to take the Trans Tasman Derby title from current holders, New Zealand, who finished on 232.  

All four riders seemed fairly evenly matched and showed immediate rapport with their mounts during the 20 minute warm up period. However the best performance overall came from Australia’s Elliot Patterson, riding Karen Trotter’s Flamenco G. This pair was the first combination in and set a cracking pace. The test was dynamic and forwards, calmly ridden and deserving of the top score of 64.70%, despite a major spook in the half pass canter mucking up that movement.

Taking second place in round one was New Zealand’s Kelly Van Dyk with a smooth flowing test on Liz Hutson’s Knavish Trick for 61.47%. Van Dyk rode a brave test, going for the big marks rather than opting for safe and dull. She was the only rider to attempt flying changes around the arena and the risk paid off, with clean changes throughout the test.

Stephanie Spencer (AUS) took third spot on Helen McCallum’s Jalapeno Man for 57.88% with some resistance in the canter work proving costly and despite an otherwise nice test, Kate Welten (NZL) on Ashleigh William’s Papaui Don Juan finished on a disappointing score of 55.88% after missing the flying change movements in the test.

Round two saw Australia take the top two scores. This time it was Spencer riding Knavish Trick for 64.55%, followed by Patterson on Papanui Don Juan for 62.20%. Kiwi riders Welten and Van Dyk finished on 60% and 55.42%.

All riders hugely enjoyed the competition and the Australian competitors were complimentary about their borrowed mounts, the competition and venue.

“The Derby was a really great challenge to be involved in,“ said Australia’s Spencer. “We really appreciate the fact the New Zealand owners loaned and trusted us with their horses and the Kiwi hospitality was excellent.“

The final results were:

Round 1

Elliot Patterson	Flamenco G	64.706% 1st place
Stephanie Spencer	Jalapeno Man	57.206% 3rd place

Round 2

Stephanie Spencer	Knavish Trick	64.559% 1st place
Elliot Patterson	Papanui Don Juan	62.206%  2nd place

 

TOTAL INDIVIDUAL

1. Elliot Patterson - 126.91 1st place

2. Stephanie Spencer - 121.77 2nd place

3. Kelly Van Dyk - 116.90 3rd place

4. Kate Welten - 115.88 4th place

 

TEAM TOTAL

AUS - 248.68 1st place

NZL - 232.78 2nd place

 

Elliot and Steph both also competed on catch rides. Steph took out the Champion at 1st level, with the following results:

Riding the horse 'Double Take' in the 1 Level tests:

1.4  - 65.200% 2nd place from 6

1.1  - 71.818% 1st place from 10

1.2 - 67.917% 1st place from 6

1.5 - 69.130% 1st place from 6

 

Elliot also had the following great results on his catch ride 'All rights reserved' in the 3rd Level tests:

3.1 - 63.400% 6th place from 18

Level 3 Freestyle - 64.792% 7th place from 16