2014 Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships.

Day 2 - Equestrian NSW Grand Prix CDI-W and the Mulawa Young Rider CDI-Y Team Competition

By Anna Sharpley

Despite 2014 being a post international championship year, the all important Grand Prix CDI-W attracted a field of 17. This number includes international aspirants as well as those in the autumn of their Grand Prix career. Those at the beginning of their careers at this top level of dressage competition include Robbie Soster aboard the Rotspon gelding, Robali Razzamatazz, Katharine Farrell riding the Farrell family’s Londonderry gelding, Luxor 118 and Alexis Hellyer riding her Weltmeyer gelding, Waca W. All are a pleasure to watch, win, lose or draw and both Robbie and Katharine are riding imported German horses, with Alexis aboard a horse bred by Horse Magazine principals, Chris Hector and Roz Neave. All three reflect the quality of horsepower, both imported and home bred on show at the Nationals.

Whilst on the subject of youth, 18 year old Lucy Burt demonstrates an enviable amount of talent and elegance riding, Concordance by Contango II and formerly ridden by Daniella Dierks. Lucy and Concordance are competing in the Gow Gates Grand Prix CDI/N and at just 18 that is a huge achievement.

Whilst youth is always commended, the experienced campaigners will be as always tough to topple. Mary Hanna, fresh from an Australian best ever performance at the recent WEG in Normandy, her fourth appearance at the World Championship, landed running on arrival home and is contesting yet another National Grand Prix Championship title with her imported Jazz gelding, Umbro. Mary’s WEG ride, Sancette will remain in Europe for further international competition. Popular campaigner and another multiple National Grand Prix Champion, Heath Ryan is riding the charismatic Rubinstein stallion, Regardez Moi as well as Anthony Thornhill’s Utopian Cardinal that is by Regardez Moi. Caroline Wagner has been improving with every outing riding the former Mary Hanna import, Tango V, another gelding by Jazz. This could be their break through Championship. It would not be a rash bet to put your money on one or all three of these combinations to claim the 2014 title.

The Mulawa Performance Young Rider Team Test CDI-Y this morning represented not only the future of the sport in Australia, but also the draw the Nationals have, with riders from WA, Tasmania, Queensland, Victoria and NSW taking the opportunity to present themselves in front of an international panel of judges, led by FEI 5* judge, Susanne Baarup from Denmark. The results too represented a quick run around the states and across the water. Eloise Devlin from Queensland won riding Sally Devlin’s, Brimstone Anakiwa with 67.36%, Abbie O’Brien from Tasmania rode the Regardez Moi gelding, Rajah’s Rave, 67.28% for second place and Grace Kay from NSW, third aboard her Jive Magic gelding, Karingal Jamirquai.

The four days of the national Championships test combinations from Novice through to Grand Prix and there will undoubtedly be many gems to be found amongst the horses at the various standards. Of the four days, Saturday when the Freestyle from Medium to Grand Prix combines horses and music to entertain and enthrals is a must see for any horse enthusiast.