The Mulawa Performance Advanced Championship is one of these competitions. Over the weekend, Brett Parbery (NSW) on DP Weltmieser, Tor Van Den Berge (QLD) on Lauries AS and Matthew Dowsley (NSW) on Falstermeyer have had excellent rides and have ended up with only a point between them. Today’s competition was no different. All three once again had neat and accurate tests. For the Advanced 5B it was Matthew Dowsley (NSW) on Falstermeyer winning with a score of 70.488.

 

Second went to Brett Parbery on DP Weltmieser with 70.407. Third went to Brett as well on QEB Good as Gold with 68.780 and fourth went to Tor Van Den Berge on Lauries AS with 66.748. In the Advanced 5C, Brett secured first and second place. First with QEB Good as Gold (71.930); second with DP Weltmieser (67.544). Third went to Tor and Lauries AS (67.368) and fourth to Matthew Dowsley on Falstermeyer with a score of 67.105. It certainly was a battle between three of Australia’s top male riders.

 

The Grand Prix classes were also similar. Rachael Sanna on Jaybee Alabaster, Louisa Hill on Bates Antonella and Heath Ryan on Regardez Moi have consistently been in the top three. Sunday’s Pride’s EasiFeeds Grand Prix Special was no different. After sterling performances from all three in Saturday night’s freestyle, they were back in the arena by early afternoon the next day. Rachael and Jaybee Alabaster were once again too good for them. She won the class with a huge score of 71.083. Louisa Hill from New Zealand came second, scoring 67.292 and Heath with a few mistakes in the changes came third with a score of 64.917.

 

There was also a highlight in the warm up arena for the Grand Prix. Without mentioning names, a rider who was about to compete suddenly dismounted her horse, handed him to a friend, jumped the stone fence and disappeared behind it. 30 seconds later she reappeared with a look of relief. I suppose when you gotta go, you gotta go!

 

The Gow Gates Intermediate I Championship was dominated by the lady riders. First went to Alexandra Berns (Qld) on Kings Legend, scoring 68.526. Second went to Alexis Hellyer (NSW) on Waca W with a score of 66.842 and third went to Judy Dierks (NSW) on Feramo K with a score of 66.474.

 

The winner of the Ranvet Novice Championships EA 2C was Queensland rider Nicole Tough on Furst Tyme with a high score of 72.708. Second went to Matthew  Dowsley on Don de Sandro, also breaking the 70 mark with 72.188. Third went to another Queenslander, Jayden Brown on San Andreas with a score of 69.792. In the Ranvet Novice 2D, Matthew Dowsley and Don de Sandro won with 72.667. Second was Grace Kay on Karingal Jamiriquai with 71.238 and third went to Jayden Brown on San Andreas with 71.238.

 

The 2011 Bates Australian Dressage Championships has been a great experience for all those who participated. The weather was perfect, the horses were of a high quality, the calibre of judges was impressive and the riders set a strong benchmark for everyday competitors to strive for.

 

Like all events, it takes an enthusiastic team to make it happen. It also needs a capable Event Director to oversee all the components. All those involved in dressage are lucky to have Toni Venhaus at the helm. She has an amazing eye for detail and a calm mind to address all issues as they come to hand. Toni and her team also deserve a ribbon!