Top Contenders for the Bates Australian Championships

Mark Arthur and Kooinda Saint (Photos: Franz Venhaus)

If you look at the qualifying scores for the Bates Australian Dressage Championships, it‘s quite obvious who will be the horse and rider combinations to beat. Toni Venhaus, the event director passed on the top 10 ranked horses/riders based on these scores. “Most of the qualifying scores definitely paint a picture but you can never predict the outcome. The “big event” atmosphere cannot be underestimated and surprises are not uncommon”. 

In the Ranvet Novice Championship, four riders stand out. Although, New South Wales rider Judy Dierks, who has represented Australia on a number of occasions is ranked number one on the very talented mare Diamond Star, it is Brett Parbery’s protégé, David McKinnon, who recently won the Novice Champion at the NSW Championships on Bradgate Park Jatzz who will provide stiff competition. David is also based in New South Wales. The other strong contenders are Queensland rider Nicole Tough who is ranked second and Judy Dierk’s Daughter, Daniella who is ranked third. Daniella’s father, Clemens Dierks has been the National and Team Coach for Australia on numerous occasions. Daniela is an extremely effective rider and has a number of horses in many of the classes.

In the Wagners Elementary Championship, David Mckinnon is once again very competitive after winning the Elementary Champion at the NSW Championships. In saying that, the highest ranked rider for this class is the very experienced Queensland rider, Nicole Tough. Nicole is always a tough (excuse the punn) competitor and is a mover and shaker when it come to dressage in Queensland.

In the H.H.S.A. Medium Championships the riders from Queensland dominate. Out of the top ten qualifying scores, six are from Queensland. It will be difficult for any of the other states to topple the mighty Queenslanders. One rider who may do this is Daniella Dierks who secured Champion and Reserve Champion at the NSW Championships.

As we enter into the higher classes, some of Australia’s elite professionals come into the picture. In the Mulawa Performance Advanced Championship, riders such as Brett Parbery, Matthew Dowsley and Tor Van Den Berge are ranked at the top All these riders have the skills to gain those extra points which could make all the difference.

The Needs for Steeds Prix St Georges Championship is always a tough class as many of the riders are seasoned competitors at this level but this year two of the top ten ranked riders are of a much younger vintage. Megan Bryant and Alexis Hellyer could give riders such as Judy Dierks and Matthew Dowsley a run for their money. Ranked at number two is New South Wales rider, Mark Arthur. Mark and his handsome gelding Kooinda Saint have been training with Clemens Dierks and the NSW High Performance squad for the past six months.

Mark is one of those rare riders that have the ability to stay calm and relaxed. He sits quietly and allows the horse to move freely. Mark just got back from Germany where he bought a new ‘youngster’ and also visited Aachen. “It’s the best show on the planet for equestrian sports”.Maybe this experience has put fire in his belly to come out on top. Either way he is definitely a rider to watch closely.

The Gow-Gates Intermediate I is similar to the Prix St Georges in regards to the rankings but it also includes Australia’s very popular Heath Ryan on Mystery Whisper who also events at a high level.

The Equestrian NSW Intermediate II and the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix are a bit misleading in regards to the rankings due to some of our top horses having limited outings. For example, Rachael Sanna and Jaybee Alabaster which won the Grand Prix Freestyle at the 2011 Sydney CDI have just done what it takes to qualify. Although the rankings tell a story, we all know that the results will depend on the day and the months of hard work to make it happen at these very special championships.

The Bates Australian Dressage Championships run from 27 - 30 October.

Quick Link

• All information and results will be available at www.dressagensw.com.au/nationals