Shiraz Black became the Champion of Champions at the 2008 Dressage with the Stars Australian Young Horse championships at the Werribee National Equestrian Centre in Werribee, Australia, April 10-13, 2008.
There were three national young horse champions - 4-year old Summersby, 5-year old Shiraz Black and 6-year old Greenoaks Weltman - but judge Christoph Koschel crowned Mary Hanna's Shiraz Black the 2008 Australian Champion of Champions Young Dressage Horses.
Koschel rode the age group finalists and declared Mary and Rob Hanna’s ‘Shiraz Black’ the overall winner. He praised Shiraz Black as “a beautifully educated horse with an outstanding up hill canter," for which the horse received an overall score of 9.5. Ridden by Gitte Donvig (Mary Hanna’s daughter) at the Australian championship, Shiraz Black showed an impressive test with his beauty, cadence and amazing paces overwhelming the judges. Owned by Mary and Rob Hanna the stallion by Sandro Hit x Donnerhall was imported into Australia in 2006.
The winner in the 4-year old division was won by Summersby, presented by John Long, a solicitor by profession. The horse was considered the "talk of the show" with his impressive paces. This Sandro Hit x Davignon offspring dazzled the crowds with his lovely conformation and elegant gaits. The horse scored 7.0 for walk, 8.5 for trot, for 9.0 canter, 8.5 for submissiveness, and 8.5 for general impression. The guest judge rider awarded the horse 9.5 which made him the 4-year old champion.
Summersby had a good competitor in the silver medallist. GB Winchester who was shown by his owner Gary Lung. The 4-year old GB Winchester (by Weltmeyer x Elfenglanz) scored 8.5 for walk, 8.0 for trot, canter and general impression, and 9.0 for conformation.
"Chester" is bred by Glennis and Simon Barrey and was purchased by Lung as 6-month old colt. Lung is thrilled to ride Chester every day. "He takes everything in his stride and nothing phases him," Lung said.
Heath Ryan rode the dark bay stallion Greenoaks Weltman to victory in the 6-year old division. The judges scored the horse 7.3 for walk, 7.6 for trot, 7.5 for canter, 8.0 for submissiveness and 7.7 for general impression. Weltman is owned by Clyde Wunderwald, Ryan's long time sponsor of dressage horses, and won the 2006 Australian Young Horse Championships as a 4-year old. The bay gelding is by Man About Town out of Greenoaks Weserfee (by Weltmeyer).
For years Dressage with the Stars has been sponsored by PSI Performance Sales International. This year, German trainer and rider Jurgen Koschel and his son Christoph were the show's special guests. Jurgen Koschel presented the Bates Dressage Master Class with Christoph riding the master class horses. Dr. Ulf Möller, who represented PSI at the show, judged the young horse classes and conducted a young horse judges clinic on the final day of competition.
Event Director Sue McKay quoted to equestrian journalist Berni Saunders, "Ulf is a great friend to Australian dressage and has guided many of us in the selection and training of young horses. After a very demanding and tiring three days of judging, Ulf stayed on to give a judges clinic and coaching session on Sunday to help us all in the development of our young dressage horse classes. It's a special thank you to PSI and Ulf!"
Results
4-year olds
walk - trot - canter - general impression - comformation - guest judge rider - total - final score
- Summersby - John Potter - 7.0 - 8.5 - 9.0 - 8.5 - 8.5 - - 9.5 -- 51.0 - 8.50
- GB Winchester - Gary Lung - 7.5 9.0 8.5 8.5 9.0 - - 8.5 -- 51.0 - 8.50
- Bellaire Cannavaro - Georgina Cattermole - 7.5 - 8.5 - 8.5 - 8.5 - 8.5 - - 8.0 -- 49.5 - 8.25
5-year olds
walk - trot - canter - submissiveness - general impressions - total - final score
- Shiraz Black - Gitte Donvig - 8.2 - 7.5 - 8.5 - 8.3 - 8.5 -- 8.20
- DP Weltmieser - Heath Ryan - 7.8 - 8.5 - 8.0 - 8.3- 8.2 -- 8.16
- Jazz Song - Christine Crawford - 8.0 - 7.4 - 7.5 - 7.5 - 8.0 -- 7.68
6-year olds
walk - trot - canter - submissiveness - general impressions - total - final score
- Greenoaks Weltman - Heath Ryan - 7.3 - 7.6 - 7.5 - 8.0 - 7.7 -- 7.62
- Rendezvous - Cheryl Fort - 7.0 - 7.5 - 8.0 - 7.6 - 7.8 -- 7.58
- Flowervale Ferraza - Kylie Burton - 7.4 - 6.8 - 7.8 - 8.0 - 7.6 -- 7.52
Photo courtesy: Derek O'Leary and Julie Wilson for HorseDeals
Related Links
Video Clip Shiraz Black ridden by Christoph Koschel
Greenoaks Legend, Champion of Champions at 2000 Dressage with the Stars
Scores 2004 Dressage with the Stars
