The final day of the NSW Dressage Championships CDI-W at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre saw even more success for Vickie Robertson and Ann Serrao in the two FEI freestyle events and the prestigious Prix St Georges Challenge.
The GP Freestyle was taken out by Ann Serrao on Centaur, following on from their victory in the GP only the day before. Centaur danced through his country music themed freestyle showing excellent extensions and changes. Ann said Centuar, “felt absolutely beautiful at times through the test, although I was a little disappointed with the few mistakes.” Ann and Centaur scored 67.475% ahead of Heath Ryan on Greenoaks Dundee (66.7%) and Sue Hearn on Manhattan (65.75%).
Ann is excited about Centaur’s future as one of this country’s best GP horses. “More time and more strength should give him and myself more confidence, but he consistently improving at each outing.” Ann was also impressed with the SIEC facility.” I love competing here. It’s the best facility in Australia with a fantastic atmosphere. The organisers know how to run a show, if there are any glitches we as riders don’t feel them.”
Vickie Robertson capped off an incredible competition by winning the Intermediate Freestyle and the PSG Challenge in fine style. On her huge gelding, Northern Invader, Vickie dominated the FEI small tour events, winning both PSG classes and the Inter I/Inter Freestyle classes.
The PSG Challenge was contested by the best PSG combinations from across Australia.
Vickie said her test on Northern Invader which scored 66.2% “felt fabulous coming into the arena. There was perhaps a small amount of tension but he was really trying his best. As the pressure is increasing he is becoming more stable and more consistent which is encouraging for the future.”
“The Intermediate II will be sometime next year, I’m not putting a time limit on myself, just when he feels right.” Vickie added.
In second place in the PSG Challenge was Rozzie Ryan on the beautiful Donna Carerra with 64.9% and third was one of the most attractive combinations of the entire event, Shane Ackerly and his divine stallion Tallyho Jupiter with 63.5%. Shane said of his ride, “I was really happy with it, almost glowing after the final halt. It is encouraging to know that with more and more large competitions being held indoors that your horse is comfortable in that situation. It’s (the PSG Challenge) is a great concept that encourages growth in the sport. The calibre of horses has shot upwards and the depth of good horses is encouraging for the future of Australian dressage.”
Serrao In the Lead in 2004 New South Wales Dressage Championship
Two of the most exciting and interesting contests of the 2004 NSW Dressage Championships were contested today at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre.
In the Grand Prix CDI-W, Ann Serrao on her charming gelding Centaur took out the Grand Prix. With their score of 64.458% Ann and Centaur showed a very accurate test in which the horse was very relaxed and willing.
Of the test Ann said, "he (Centaur) felt fabulous, he went in there and felt better in the test than he did in the warm up, so you can't ask for better than that. There is still a lot of room for improvement yet, but we'll get there. But he was very happy today, and I'm happy".
This win follows closely behind Ann's success at the recent CDI-W in Queensland where the pair was also victorious in the Grand Prix. Ann and Centaur are certainly making their prescence felt in the GP ranks in recent months.
Second in the GP was Sue Hearn on her lovely TB, Manhattan, who presented a very confident and pleasing test for a score of 64.125% Third was the prolific Heath Ryan on Greenoaks Dundee in a very dynamic test. "The test was good, not world shattering, but the horse has produced that sort of high class of work in training. He's certainly consolidated at this level and he's very exciting for the future. He's a wonderful horse and I always pinch myself everytime I ride him thinking how lucky I am', Heath said after his GP test on Dundee. Fourth in the GP was Queenslander Kelly Layne on the brilliant and beautiful but still a little spooky, Amoucheur.
One of the most fascinating highlights of the State Championships has been the young horse competitions. The results of the four and five year old classes heralds a new era for Australian dressage, one that will be dominated by the most successful and prestigious European bloodlines.
Most of the big name sires in Europe are represented in these classes. The four year champion with an outstanding score of 76.9% was the divine mare, FF Welton Fyne (by Weltmeyer) ridden with great tact and expertise by Brett Parbery and owned by Flora Freeman. The imposing mare was incredibly soft and forward and showed three exceptional paces. The fabulous sire Sandro Hit was represented by the fourth place getter, Samsara Hit, imported only very recently from Europe and also ridden by Brett Parbery
"Welton Fyne is just a flawless mare. Bred for the job, she's inherited a lot of Weltmeyer traits and the maturity she showed here, it was only the second event she has ever been to, was outstanding. The Sandro Hit horse was broken-in in Germany and this was only her tenth ride in Australia," Brett said after an incredibly successful day atop some amazing horses (his third horse PPH Racqel by Rotspon out of Northern Silicia also placed in the four year old class).
"We have some very good young horses in Australia, the next five years in Australian dressage are going to be very exciting. " he added.
Second in the four year old class was another Weltmeyer horse, Fairbanks Whitney ridden by Shane Davidson and third was the lovely Gracefield Rozpon by Rotspon ridden by Carolyn Henley. Amazingly the top four horses in the four year old class were all mares. This bodes well for future breeding programmes in this country.
The five year old class was dominated by another superior European line, won by the stunning import PSI De Caprio by De Niro, ridden by Judy Dierks and owned by Andrea Beatty. Judy and PSI De Caprio scored an incredible 79.5%. Second in the five year old class was Wolkenbruch by Wolkenstein ridden by Suzanne Doyle with a score of 75%. Third place was Neversfelde Julia by the KWPN Jann out of Neversfelde Farika ridden by Jane Bruce. Fourth was BB Flemmington by Flemmingh ridden by Graham Chapple.
The Medium/Advanced Freestyle was won by the delightful pairing of Sally Evans and her gorgeous stallion, A'Seduction, with a score of 71.719%. Sally has had a very successful programme so far on A'Seduction and is competing on Sunday in the PSG Challenge.
The other big name currently in dressage sires, Florestan 1, was represented by the elegant and beautful moving Freecell, who, with owner/rider, Sally Latona, dominated the Elementary classes, winning the 3.3 and coming second in the 3.4.
The PSG was won in fabulous style by Northern Invader ridden by Vickie Robertson. The test was very soft, forward and accurate, scoring 66.350%. Second was Donna Carrera ridden by Rozzie Ryan and third was Challenger Aachilles ridden by Brett Parbery.
A big programme is scheduled for Sunday with both the GP and Intermediate Freetyles, the PSG Challenge and the six year old young horse class.
by Wendy Cohen
Image copyrighted: Julie Wilson
Related Link
Scores - 2004 CDI-W Sydney