Blitzing the Young Rider field at the CDI-W Boneo on 25 - 27 September 2015, Australian Tayla Desmet proved that her Grand Prix schoolmaster Rodrigo III still has a lot of life left in him yet. The pair took out all three Young Rider tests with 68.640%, 69.167%, and 70.958%.
“Boneo Park is a beautiful equestrian facility located on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria and offers all riders the opportunity to compete in an International quality setting. The weather was excellent throughout the whole competition with the sun shining each day, perfect riding conditions,” 15-year old Tayla told Eurodressage. “The quality of horses at the competition was outstanding and Rodrigo performed three quality tests and was full of energy. I have not yet been to a competition where he has had so much energy!”
Bred by German breeder Mr Helmuthoppe, the 15-year old gelding Rodrigo III (by (by Rotspon out of Mona) was discovered by Tayla’s coach and Grand Prix dressage rider Maree Tomkinson. She purchased Rodrigo as a foal in Germany 15 years ago and later competed him in the 2006 World Young Horse Championships, where they placed 8th in the 6-year old consolation finals.
“Maree went on to train Rodrigo III to Grand Prix and she made the heartbreaking decision to sell Rodrigo it gave me the opportunity to ride and compete a Grand Prix horse," Desmet explained. "As dressage riders and trainers, we never stop learning. As we all know there are always things to work on and perfect in the sport of dressage! Between Ringo and myself I believe that we need to work on maintaining Ringo’s energy levels throughout the test. Towards the end of the test in Boneo I still begin to feel Ringo running out of energy, which causes him to have a delayed reaction to my aids.”
Tayla is now preparing to compete in her final CDI-Y class for the season at the 2015 Australian Dressage Championships in October. In December she hopes to compete at the Dressage Festival in the Intermediaire II.
Desmet is training with Maree at her equestrian property in Victoria and the duo has worked hard to now rank 13th in the world on the FEI Young Riders Ranking.
“Maree, Ringo and I are currently training all Grand Prix movements at home. I feel very lucky to have such an experienced coach that is extremely hard working and dedicated. She also knows my horse very well, which really helps me with my training. My goal for 2016 is to compete in Under 25 Grand Prix," she said.
A year 10 student at Melbourne Girls Grammar, Tayla enjoys maths, english and sport science, but she is not yet sure what she wants to study.
“I am most interested in health and the way we look after our bodies. Not long ago, I told my parents that I would like to be a nurse, however shortly after that I changed my mind telling them that I want to be a forensic psychologist, before changing my mind again to announce that I would like to become a journalist! No doubt, time will help resolve this dilemma," she explained.
by Sarah Warne
Related Links
Scores: 2015 CDI-W Boneo
September Boneo Park CDI Gets World Cup Status
Parbery and Desmet Win on Day Two at 2015 CDI Sydney
Scores: 2006 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses