Hannah Dodd and Grand Slam
Photograph:Toni VenhausPhotograph:Toni Venhaus
Jan Geary, Friday, 4 October 2013
The Venue: Sydney International Equestrian Centre
The Dates: 23 -27 October 2013
Australian’s huge Australian Dressage Championships will for the first time include Riders with a Disability in the five Grades that make up Para Equestrian. Fourteen riders and fifteen horses will compete on three days in the Team, Championship and Freestyle Tests.
Grade 1a is the most severely disabled and their Tests feature Walk only with Medium Walk and Free Walk for the Team Test and the Championship Test.
Grade 1b again has severe problems but they Trot and Walk.
Grade 11 is Trot and Walk but the Test movements are more advanced and in their Freestyle to Music Test the Canter can be used.
Grade III rides in a different size Arena, 20 x 60 metres and Dressage Lateral movements make their appearance in Trot and Canter. Single flying changes are also allowed in the Freestyle to Music. Totally Blind riders compete in this Grade.
Grade IV riders also compete in the large 20 x 60 Arena. It is often impossible to recognise the Disability in this Grade. Partially Blind riders compete at this Grade. Three and four time flying changes, as used in Advanced Dressage can be included in their Freestyle to Music.
Competitors from Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Queensland will be competing and a State Teams Competition will also be included.
Gold Medallist at the London Paralympic Games, Joann Formosa will be competing in Grade 1b, Worldwide PB is quite a star and has wonderful presence with his bright chestnut coat and white socks and blaze. Joanne is from Victoria and Worldwide PB is a stallion - we look forward to seeing more Worldwides as his foals are now up to 5 years old.
NSW State Champions are all competing at the Nationals – Hannah Dodd in Grade IV; Sui Watts in Grade III, Victoria Davies in Grade II. Victoria is riding a stunning dappled grey Stallion with plenty of personality.
Wednesday 23rd October starts the Championship for the Para Equestrian riders from 11 a.m. to 2.45 pm with all the 5 Grades on Show in the Team Test.
The best scores from the Team and Championship Test will finalise the Team winners. To see these riders competing head to Arena 2 A.
Thursday 24th October and this is Championship Test day – known as the Grand Prix Test for Para Equestrian Riders at each Grade. These tests are very difficult for these riders. Time: 9.15 a.m. to 12.20 pm in Arena 2A.
Saturday 26th October is Freestyle to Music day in the large Arena 1a used for the Sydney Olympic Dressage and Para Equestrian Dressage Competition.
From 10.30 to 1.16 pm Para Equestrian riders can be seen using more difficult movements to music of their choice. They design the test in the way that shows off their horse to its best advantage. Dancing to music is the best description of the Freestyle.
As all competitions are outside, fingers crossed the weather is kind to the Championships with so many horses and riders heading to SIEC from all States.
4 October 2013
Plan your Visit to the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships
No matter what your budget is, the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships has a lot to offer. From the 23rd to the 27th October, the Sydney International Equestrian Centre becomes a playground for all those interested in horses.
Riders from across Australia have been working hard to qualify for the event and as a result, we the spectators, get to see the final product of years of dedication to what is known by some as the hardest equestrian sport.
You will get to see international competitors such as Rozzie and Heath Ryan, Brett Parbery, Mary Hanna, Matthew Dowsley, Maree Tomkinson, Jayden Brown, Judy Dierks and the list goes on. There’s also Para-Equestrian competitions with the likes of gold medal Paralympian, Joann Formosa, competing. What more could you ask for.
The event is designed so over the four days the competition gets fiercer with horse and rider combinations trying to achieve a personal best that will put them on the dais. There’s so much to see that it’s best to have a plan of attack that ensures you see all that is on offer.
The surrounds of the equestrian centre is like a parkland which means it is conducive to grab a coffee from one of the coffee carts, get a program and place yourself under one of the beautiful gum trees and plan the things you want to see. You can also get a draw of all the competitions from the web or pick up a programme booklet from the info stand at the entrance to the indoor arena. Ensure you have a pen to highlight all the horses you want to watch. Once you’ve done this, the rest is easy as you have just created a basic schedule for the day.
During your free time, the Trade Village which is set around the presentation area is always a great place to visit. With over thirty trade stalls showcasing their wares there’s always something to buy and usually plenty of bargains. Lets face it, there’s always something to add to your collection of horsy equipment – rugs, boots, DVDs, jewellery, supplements, jodhpurs, jackets, helmets, bits, bridles, saddles – I think I’ll stop there as the list is endless! Another good thing to remember is a number of these trade stalls are sponsors of this event which means your dollars are going towards supporting the Event Sponsors.
For those who like the comfort of good food and wine, you can buy a variety of tickets that will give you entry to the Top Spot Marquee which is situated at the short end of the indoor arena giving you the prefect view of many of the top competitions. These tickets offers you entry to the event for the day/s of purchase, access to the marquee at any time during the day; tea & coffee at any time; morning tea; lunch with wine; afternoon tea and a complimentary copy of the programme booklet. Please note, not all tickets include the Saturday evening dinner. These tickets would also make a great gift for a horsey friend.
As usual, Saturday night will be the highlight of the event with the Pessoa Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle taking centre stage. This is when the best of the best will ride their tests to music and WEG hopefuls will be aiming to post a strong score. At 6.30pm there will also be some great entertainment from one of Australia’s best horseman, Luke Thomas – check out the following link for a teaser – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUMunr35ahA&feature=youtu.be
On the last day of the competition, the organisers, Dressage NSW, are cross promoting another event held in the Western Sydney Parklands – The Best from the West Food Festival. What a great way to finish your last day at the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships. Just around the corner from the Sydney International Equestrian Centre you can experience the following:
• 35 fete stalls selling a large variety of food and beverages, covering South America, Dutch, Turkish, Filipino, Mexican, Chinese, Italian and Vegetarian, chocolates, gelato, wines, coffee, fine olive oils, fresh fruit juices etc.
• 5 celebrity chef cooking demonstrations led by Justine Schofield from Channel Ten.
• Two kid’s workshops running on the day, one is a Kid’s Pizza Making Workshop and the other is a Reverse Garbage Kid’s Workshop where kids can make fun things to wear from recycled materials.
• Entry is free to the public and there is free parking.
24 September 2013
Calling all clubs- it’s time to support your sport
Come the 23rd of October 2013 Australia’s most talented dressage riders will be competing at the 2013 Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park.
At the 2013 Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships more than 200 of Australia’s best riders will compete over five days of competition. This year’s National Championship is a World Cup qualifier, with a huge program of events from Novice to Grand Prix level.
There could be no better way to inspire the champions of tomorrow than seeing today’s champions compete at the highest level. So gather members of your local, riding club, pony club, or school and plan a trip to enjoy watching Australia’s best riders go head to head at this world class venue.
In addition to watching Australia’s medal winning Para Equestrians, young riders from your club will also be inspired by seeing members of the following NSW and National Dressage Squads compete:
• DNSW High Performance Squad; DNSW Talent Development Squad; DNSW Youth Development Squad and the National Youth Development Squad
• National Dressage Elite Squad and National A Level Squad
Children under 16 will be able to attend for free on Thursday, Friday and Sunday of the competition – so it’s a great incentive for your club to contribute to the dressage community in attending.
Club crowd pleasers in this year’s program include the following:
1. Thursday the 24th of October – Australia’s most talented Para Equestrian athletes compete in the Para Equestrian Championship Test Competition.
2. Friday the 25 October – a record number, (40 horse and rider combinations) will take part in the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI-W. Riders in this event can gain qualifying scores for the World Equestrian Games in Normandy
3. Saturday the 26th of October – Don’t miss the chance to see the Pessoa Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle with Freestyle events running all day Saturday.
4. Sunday the 27th of October – The Equestrian Australia’s Prix St George – Stars of the Future is a must see for all dressage enthusiasts.
Click the following link for more information on the event – Find out more
To assist your clubs in planning its trip visit the Dressage NSW website Saddleworld 2013 Australian Dressage Championship
For directions to the Sydney International Equestrian Centre – click the following link How to get there
17 September 2013
- Women predicted to dominate in the Grand Prix
In just under six weeks the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships will be held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre. Undoubtedly, the highlight of this event will be the Grand Prix competition. Over the past few years, there have been a number of new horse and rider combinations which have taken centre stage at this elite level. The likes of Rachel Downs and Jaybee Alabaster, Brett Parbery and Victory Salute, Chantal Wigan and Ferero, are no longer in the running, making way for new Australian Grand Prix competitors.
This year, it seems it will be a battle between the women, although Heath Ryan on Regardez Moi and Utopian Cardinal, and David Shoobridge on 00 Seven could give them a run for their money.
I managed to catch up with three of the main contenders to try and get a glimpse of what can be expected.
Mary Hanna and Sancette
“Sancette is a bay 17hh Hanoverian gelding by Sandro Hit out of the Contender mare, Cascade. We have competed successfully at national and international level and were selected for the 2012 London Olympic Games. I am currently aiming to compete at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy.”
Where did you find him?
“I was looking for a horse two years before the London Olympics. A friend showed me a video of Sancette which I was impressed by. He was owned and trained by Steffen Peters. It was a long way to go to look at one horse but I was interested in meeting Steffen and see how he trained so I thought it was worth a try. I was suitably impressed by both Sancette and Steffen so I decided to buy the horse and as a result I stayed and trained with him. It was two months later that I brought Sancette back to Australia.”
What is the best quality or characteristic of Sancette?
“He is an incredibly supple and athletic horse. He’s like a dancer. Beautiful to sit on, he sucks you into the saddle, it’s like riding on air!
What is Sancette’s strongest movement in the Grand Prix?
“His trot work would have to be his strongest. He has a lot of spring and is incredibly expressive. I think his forte is his extensions and half pass.”
What is his weakest movement?
“Although his actual canter is good, he needs a lot of collection exercises to keep him balanced.”
Name one horse and rider combination which you think will be the one to beat in the Grand Prix?
“It could be any one at the moment. There’s a lot of good horses out there. It’s also a long journey to Grand Prix and the Nationals, we’ll have to wait and see what happens.”
Describe Sancette in a sentence?
He has taken over my life. I know I shouldn’t allow it but he has gotten under my skin. Most of my waking hours are spent on thinking how I can keep him happy!”
Sheridyn Ashwood and Prestige VDL
“Prestige VDL or Mr P as we call him was champion of his stallion test in Sweden with scores of 8 for walk, 8 for trot and 10 for canter. From the test riders he was awarded 9 for his gaits and 9 for his dressage potential. His sire is Silvano N who was at the Sydney Olympics for the Dutch team, and his Dam is Lavendel Keur. He’s 16 years old, 16.3 hh and luckily we own him outright!”
Where did you find him?
“Prestige was purchased out of NZ and it was love at first sight. I overcame many hurdles to get this magnificent fellow. For one, I was 6th on the waiting list to view him and I didn’t even have a passport! All my stars somehow aligned and he was flown straight into Brisbane airport within the week. (Apparently that is a once a year flight and there was a spot within days we decided to purchase him, I think Mr P arrived home the day after we arrived back from NZ……..Talk about luck!”
What is the best quality or characteristic of Prestige?
“It’s a long list but I think he is the perfect horse to look at and extremely rideable. I love everything about him. He has the kindest temperament and the most explosive paces, it’s so much fun to ride a horse like that”
What is Prestige’s strongest movement in Grand Prix?
“It would have to be his piaffe. He can really sit, and now I can really speed it up if needed. He’s improving all the time.”
What is his weakest movement?
“I don’t think he finds passage hard but I do.”
Name one horse and rider combination which you think will be the one to beat in the Grand Prix?
“My good mate Maree and Diamantina”
Describe Prestige in a sentence?
“He thinks he’s a celebrity and expects everyone to dote on him all the time and tell him how good he is. He’s such a character!”
Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina IV
“Diamantina is an 11 year old mare by Diamond Hit out of a Campari M mare. She is bay with 3 small white socks , 170 cm, and fortunately I own her in partnership with the lovely Lyn Sultana so no one can ever take her off me!”
Where did you find her?
“We found Diamantina in Germany whilst I was there competing at the World Young horse champs with Rodrigo in 2006. She was a 4 year old in training to be sold with Johannes Westendarp. We drove everywhere and looked at so many horses, we specifically wanted a mare with the idea that we could compete her and breed with her so we never would have the need to purchase another expensive horse. I’m not in a position to buy another one if something happens. I had to find or breed a good horse and train it myself. Fortunately I am quite good at that!”
What is the best quality or characteristic of Diamantina?
”Where do I start , Diamantina has so many amazing qualities and so many very difficult ones! She is amazingly beautiful to look at, almost as beautiful as Rodrigo! She is very gentle and sweet to handle. But mostly she is just unbelievable to ride and compete. She has so much power and grace and talent, she is like a big rubber ball of soft powerful energy, she’s like nothing I’ve ever ridden before (and I have ridden hundreds of horses!).
What is Diamantina’s strongest movement in Grand Prix?
“I think nearly all her movements are super strong, she has had 9′s for changes, passage, pirouettes, extended trot, and extended canter. So you pick, I think they are all really strong, now I am just waiting for the brave judge to give her a 10!”
What is her weakest movement?
“I do not think she has a weak movement, I think some things are taking longer than others, the half passes are amazing but have taken time to get really , the piaffe has taken the longest to train, she just didn’t understand what I was asking for but now she has it and I believe in time it will really be a strength, it’s so regular and the transition is so easy and smooth. When she becomes stronger and more balanced, it also will be a 10….. Eventually!”
Name one horse and rider combination which you think will be the one to beat in the Grand Prix?
“The horse and rider to beat in the GP will be Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina, of course!”
Describe Diamantina in a sentence?
“Beauty, power and grace. A once in a lifetime opportunity that I am eternally grateful for.”
Wow! What a collection of amazing horses and women. And to think that there’s still more combinations like Rozzie Ryan and GV Bullwinkle, and Caroline Wagner and Tango V. Heath Ryan and David Shoobridge you have a big job at hand to keep a male on the dais! Maybe Tor Van Den Berge on Fishermans Friend may be able to help.
Make time to enjoy the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre from the 23rd to the 27th October 2013.
