Bates Saddles 2011 NSW Pony Dressage Championships - Results

Rachael Raheb and Glynyarra Park Classic (Photo: Toni Venhause/Dressage NSW)

Allissia Dunn and Claremont Park Empress (photo: Toni Venhaus/Dressage NSW)

Isabella Macnamara and Eagelwood Celebrity (Photo: Toni Venhaus/Dressage NSW)

The 2011 Bates NSW Pony Dressage Championships were held at Sydney International Equestrian Centre over the weekend of 15 - 16 October and provided a platform to showcase some of the best dressage ponies in the state as they battled it out in their respective levels

Horsezone was pleased to be able to support this event with sponsorship. 

The standard was extremely high this year and  the increasing number of entrants highlights the fact that interest in this sport is growing and not only amongst our young riders. There was a significant number of adult riders present this year, many commenting that they have made the switch to ponies and are enjoying themselves so much that they doubt they will ever go back to ‘big horses’.

2011 saw the introduction of Young Pony Classes which run under the same rules as Young Horse Classes. The 4 Year old class was won by Sandy Langsford riding her talented gelding ‘Smit’n Batai’ while the larger 5 Year old class was won by Queensland rider Helena Shanal riding the stunning up and coming stallion ‘Double S Dark Sun’. The 6 Year old test is a very demanding ask of any pony or horse, let alone a 6 year old and this year the class was won by Georgina Barrey riding ‘Brumby Jack’.

In the hotly contest Preliminary and Novice classes there was a strong group of ponies moving up the grades, all demonstrating lovely movement and good training,making the judges decisions quite tough. In the end, the Preliminary Champion went to ‘Double S Dark Sun’ ridden by Helena Shanal and the Reserve Champion to Rachael Raheb riding ‘Glynyarra Park Classic’, a pony that stands a just a shade over 11 hands! The Novice Champion was awarded to ‘Baringa First Class’ ridden by Brianna Cartwright while Reserve Novice Champion went to ‘Rockfire U-Turn’ ridden by Kathy Turner.

‘Rockfire U-Turn’ affectionately known as “Wombat” seemed destined to have a successful weekend following up the next day by taking out the Elementary Reserve Champion -  beaten only by the lovely mare ‘Burnham Brooke Bewitched’ who was beautifully ridden by Jocelyn King.

The highly successful and well known ‘Little Paddocks Gift’ continued his dominance at this event by taking out both Best FEI Preliminary Pony and the Medium Champion this year while Reserve Medium Champion went to Madelyn Colquhoun riding ‘Congarinni Royal Sovereign’.

This year, the Advanced class had more than doubled in size from last year and Champion was awarded to Alison Gill and her grey gelding ‘Bamborough Epic’ closely followed by Sancha Butler riding ‘Goldshaft Moonshadow’ who took out the Reserve Champion.

Finally, the FEI Small Tour Champion was awarded to Suzanne Laidler and her beautifully educated ‘Craigrannoch Park Destiny’.

Thanks to our sponsors this year- Bates Saddles, ENSW, Horseland, Gow Gates, Brighton Saddleworld, CopRice, Australian Sports Pony Registry, John Khonke Products, Edinburgh Horse Rugs, International Animal Health, Horsezone.com.au, Evolve Horse Rugs, Warringah Dressage Association, Hawkesbury Dressage Association, Equissentials, Wagga Wagga Dressage Club, Sugarloaf Equestrian Club, Photofinish, The Arabian Horse Society, Stallions at Stud Magazine and Wild Mare Equine Products.

This year’s Bates NSW Pony Dressage Championships have been declared by competitors, spectators and owners, a resounding success and it is inspiring to hear riders already planning to compete at next year’s event at a higher levels. 

 

Quick Link

• Visit the Dressage NSW Website.
• View dressage horses and ponies for sale on Horsezone.