Sydney CDI Reflections

 

Saturday night's Grand Prix Freestyle Presentation (photo: Franz Venhaus)

Rachael and Jaybee Alabaster performing in the Grand Prix Freestyle on Saturday night (photo: Franz Venhaus)

Brett Parbery and Victory Salute (photo: Franz Venhaus)

Perfect 10 - Bellario (photo: Perfect Pony Photographics)

It was standing room only for the last hurrah at the Sydney CDI3* on Saturday night where Rachael Sanna took out her second Grand Prix win of the competition, by winning the Grand Prix Freestyle with perfect partner Jaybee Alabaster.

Commenting on the success if this year’s show, Event Director Toni Venhaus said “Although we don’t have exact figures yet, I predict we will be ahead of last year’s gate takings (which was a record). Over the three days we would have had around 3000 on the grounds. Seating in the indoor was sold out before the event and we could have sold more tickets if we had more seats...”

“The event went really well overall despite the weather.  We managed to start and finish on time and the feedback from competitors and visitors has been extremely positive.  The arenas rode OK considering but it took some work to try and keep them rideable.”

“Exhibitors reported that sales on Saturday well and truly made up for a slow start on Thursday and Friday”

And the highlight for Toni, “Brett Parbery and Victory Salute still managing to post the highest score awarded in a Grand Prix in Australia (71.306%) under conditions that were not ideal.”

It was a pleasure to watch guest rider, Anna-Sophie Fiebelkorn, ride the top three of each age group in the young horse classes.

Awarding West Australian based six-year-old stallion Bellario, by Belissimo M, a perfect score of 10, Anna-Sophie couldn’t help but grin as she rode Narbethong Equestrian Park’s youngster that is competed by Deon Stokes.

Narbethong principal, Kate Barton, comments about Bellario's perfect 10 score saying, "We were totally thrilled that Anna-Sophie was so impressed with Bellario!  I purchased him as a two and a half year old in Germany, he was broken in over there and then imported into Australia as a three year old.  While he was still in Germany he served 15 mares and 10 out of the 15 served have produced elite foals.  Our aim is for Bellario to compete in the advanced class at Sydney next year and then go on to compete internationally in FEI.  As he advances through the grades his competition career will take precedence over his breeding duties."

"I rode him the first year and a half and won Five Year Old Champion and State Champion Young Horse in WA with him, however, when Deon approached me about riding Bellario I was happy to give him the ride as he is more experienced.  I still get a lesson on Bellario each week and take him for rides out around the roads and through the bush.  He possesses the highest dressage qualities and talent, whilst remaining a true pleasure to ride for any level of rider, professional or amateur. Bellario adapts to the experience level of the rider on his back.  He is a special horse."

Hot

• Peter Haynes, in the limelight, footage of the event. Click here to see it all.
• Peter Horobin’s revolutionary new tree design for saddles (including the racing saddle).
• Happy volunteers that greet you with a smile.
• Horseshoe Nail Art from The Horse Stall
• Scott Pollock – what a great job he did as media officer.
• Rachael Sanna’s sense of humour.

Not Hot

• Music promising the moonwalk and horses not delivering (Tor Van den Berg)
• Overly dramatic music for musicals – after the Saturday night we felt like we needed a valium and we headed straight home for a soothing chamomile tea.
• Lack of spectator etiquette. Watching top level dressage is kind of like going to the movies or an awards dinner i.e. mobile phones should be on silent, loud whispering while you knock the rider that’s doing their test is bad taste and don’t leave or enter the stand while a test’s on.
• Spectators between B & F on Saturday night stopping the continuation of the first ever Mexican Wave at an Australian Dressage Event (that we know of).

Team Horsezone Pick their Dream Stable

Haylie: Sancette, Diamantina and Diamond Star
Georgia: Gymstar One and Reverence F
Craig: Bellario

The next big show at SIEC for dressage enthusiasts will be the Australian Championships from 27 to 30 October while the NSW Dressage Championships will be held at AELEC from 8 – 11 September.

Next year the CDI3* will be having its 21^st birthday and is set for 3-5 May 2012.  

For those left inspired after the CDI and in the market for a new horse check out the dressage ponies and dressage horses for sale on Horsezone. Those that are looking at trading their horse, email haylie@horsezone.com.au for help selling your horse.

Footnote: it’s no surprise that the bunch of extraordinary ladies that run this event were able to take the podium at Equestrian Australia’s Awards Dinner on Wednesday night. Congratulations to Toni and her team!