South Australian Dressage Championships - New Video Footage!

 

Susan Paix and Sheer Etiquette (photo: www.lindylaunerphotographics.com)

Marion von Saagh and Hilwert L (photo: www.lindylaunerphotographics.com)

Lorraine Wohling and Wolkenbruch (photo: www.lindylaunerphotographics.com)

The Mid South East Dressage Club, based in Naracoorte, South East SA, hosted the ESA and Be Active 2011 South Australian Dressage Championships on 23 - 24 April. The weekend was a success with perfect weather shining over the excellent grass surface, ensuring that plenty of spectators enjoyed the high standard of competition over the weekend.  Horsezone were one of the proud sponsors of this event.

With classes spread over two days, competitors settled in to enjoy the stay in the South East. The Organising Committee were very excited to welcome new faces to the area, including many Victorians, as well as regular faces from around South Australia. The quality of horses was noticeable improved this year, drawing comment from spectators and judges alike.

In the Ned’s Preliminary Championship, the eventual Champion was Heather Currie with the stunning Gribaldi import, Emporio van de Zwarte Molen, who took out both the 1C & 1D classes. In the Equistyle Junior Preliminary, Lauren Roberts and Prince County were the eventual Champions. The Be Active Preliminary Pony Championship was taken out by Kylie Watson and Ibn Ky Fox. The Young Rider Bonnetts Saddleworld Preliminary Championship was won by Cooper Oborn and the exciting Rattle N Hum.

The Novice classes saw some very impressive tests ridden with high scores. The Equissage SA Novice Championship was very hotly contested, and taken out by the eye catching Ponderosa Stud Lucious and rider Ruth Schneeberger. The Horseproblems Australia Junior Novice saw Genna Harkness and Goron Toron Don Fatale victorious. Local combination Amity Hancock and Ellinvale Bedazzled were the Be Active Novice Pony Championship. Cooper Oborn was again the Champion in the Mitavite Young Rider Novice Championship.

Elementary was one of the most well-supported levels, with the quality of horse being outstanding – a real boost for our state. In the Equestrian SA Elementary Championship, we again saw Ponderosa Stud Lucious and Ruth Schneeberger continuing their winning run. The Be Active Young Rider Elementary saw some lovely tests, with Amarah Henderson-Wilson and her mount Fame and Fortune taking home the champion rug. The Mini Jumbuk Junior Elementary showed us some stars of the future, with MSEDC member Chari-Lee Hoad and Chalani Apollo successful. The Horsezone Pony Championship was taken out by another MSEDC member, Amity Hancock and Ellinvale Bedazzled, topping off a successful weekend for the pair.

The Medium classes were again well supported, with Ruth Schneeberger asserting her current dominance on South Australian dressage by winning the DiGiorgio Family Wines Medium Championship, on board Ponderosa Stud Lucarno. The MSEDC Junior Medium was won by the eye catching pair of Riedel and Beth-Anne Schroen from Victoria. The Magic Tails Young Rider Medium was taken out by another Victorian, Nicole Blanks and the lovely MC Kiara. Sophie Whitworth from Mildura and her pony, Koora Lyn Sunrise, were victorious in the Horsezone Pony Medium championship.

Ponderosa Stud Lucarno made it three from three for Ruth Schneeberger, taking out the Naracoorte Lucindale Council Advanced Championships. Sophie Whitworth and Koora Lyn Sunrise were the champions in the MSEDC Pony Advanced championship.

The organising committee was incredibly grateful for the support of an increased number of FEI riders throughout the weekend, with record numbers in the Prix st Georges and Intermediate I classes. The eventual Small Tour Champion was the incredibly eye-catching Victorian pair of Jenny Hewitt and Rimini Park Wurlitzer. Participants had to perform 2 tests and 1 freestyle over the weekend to be eligible for this championship, and Jenny wowed the crowds at the Evening Freestyle event under lights. Well done to all riders at this level for embracing something different!

Ruth Schneeberger and Hervey Bay topped off their incredibly weekend by taking out the Big Tour Championships. Local crowds were in awe of Hervey Bay’s impressiveness in the ring, and Ruth took home some well deserved scores.

The weekend was enhanced by great support from Para Equestrian and Introductory Riders. With riders entered at several different levels, we thank Beth-Ann Schroen, Jenny McDonald, Nicole Blanks, and Rosie Cole for supporting this event. This event saw some of the most inspiring and eye-catching performances of the weekend. Congratulations to all of the riders in this section.

The event was punctuated on the Sunday evening with Freestyles under Lights in the open air – something we are led to believe is somewhat of a first! With rugged up spectators lining the long side, riders were excited to experience a crowd with hyped up atmosphere for their horses. Some inspiring performances were seen from Medium up to Grand Prix levels, with the FEI riders making things incredibly special, performing an impromptu quadrille at presentations.

Monday morning saw many riders, spectators and judges rolling up to enjoy an informative and encouraging Judges and Riders Workshop with Olympian, Judge Educator and 4* International Judge, Ricky McMillan. The sun shone on this fabulous closing event to an exciting weekend.

The Organising Committee thanks all sponsors, supporters, volunteers, riders, judges and spectators throughout the weekend. Job well done to all!

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