(Dressage NSW) – There are so many components that make a successful event. The biggest influence is the weather; it affects the atmosphere, the number of spectators, the condition of the arenas and most importantly it affects the performance of the horse and rider. With a forecast of clear skies, 23 degrees, the third day of the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships was destined to be a beauty!

One of the best things about being at such an event for the duration is that you get a feel of which horse and rider combinations are going to be the one to watch. Most spectators catch on to this and a small army of supporters travel from arena to arena watching Australia’s best.

The Ray White Acreage Medium 4B and 4C had 35 competitors. The first horse and rider combination to impress was Western Australian rider Deon Stokes and the stallion Bellario. Deon has travelled nearly 4,000 kilometres to compete at these championships and by the response from the judges and spectators it was well worth the miles. This combination scored 71.111 in the 4B and then went on to score 71.417 in the 4C. This was not only enough to win both classes but it also made Deon and Kate Barton’s stallion Bellario the Ray White Acreage Medium Champion.

Once again it was Deon Stokes riding Kate Barton’s stallion Bellario who won the Gow-Gates Advanced Freestyle, scoring 69.167. Hot on his heels was Queensland rider Victoria Welch on the beautiful grey mare Glogau. This combination scored 69.000. Her choreography was beautiful and flowing- very easy to the eye. Both these riders have obviously done a great job in training their horses – the horses were attentive, the rider’s position was relaxed and correct as their hands gently kept contact with their horse. Third went to Heath Ryan and the very well conformed, Johnny Depp (owned by Rebecca Notley). Together they scored 67.250.

A highlight of the day was watching the winner of the Pryde’s EasiFeed FEI Young Rider Freestyle CDI-Y. Victorian rider Fern Wright and her energetic Welsh Cob, Kamber Pryderi, showed the big warmbloods what the smaller breeds are capable of. The music was uplifting and refreshing which perfectly suited this impressive combination. Well done!

The Equestrian Australia Prix St Georges Challenge is a great competition. The criteria to qualify is designed so only the top competitors from the previous year get to compete – they have to have 3 qualifying scores officiated by at least one A level judge. The horse also has to be 10 years or under during the qualifying period. As a result, it is a showcase of some of Australia’s most talented up and coming small tour horses. Brett Parbery and Susan Duddy’s gelding DP Weltmieser did an accurate test giving them a score of 67.342. When Tor Van Den Berge on Cheryl O’Brien’s stallion, Lauries As, had his ride things changed. It was an absolute pleasure to watch this horse and rider weave their way around the arena. It was a test of precision and class. I remember thinking; they will have to be the winner. WRONG!

Straight after the break, Matthew Dowsley on Linda and Beau Dowsett’s big gelding Flavio wowed the crowd with a nearly flawless test. They managed to score a whopping 71.184. What a great display of horsemanship!

Another class, which showcases up and coming dressage horses was the Equitak Excel Young Horse Qualifier for 5-year-old horses. Cassia Montgomery on Kate Brydon’s gelding Revelwood Marmalade won (7.160). Second went to Ruth Schneeberger on Cheryl Hatswell’s mare Ponderos Stud Royal Dancer (7.060) and third went to the very popular Denise Rogan on her mother’s mare Just One Wish (7.040).

Day 2 – Friday

Day two of the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships started with the usual flurry of judges, stewards and the organising committee all busy ensuring everything would be ready for an early start. Like clockwork, the first horse and rider entered one of the four competition arenas at 8.15am on the dot!

By 9.30 the Pryde’s EasiFeed FEI Young Rider Individual CDI-Y was finished. Elliot Patterson, who is no stranger to the podium, rode a beautifully quiet and flowing test on his chestnut gelding, Leandro. This was good enough to put him in first place with a score of 70.702. Second was Victorian rider Fern Wright on Kamber Pryderi and third went to Megan Bryant from New South Wales on her mare Donnabella.

The Agnes Banks Equine Clinic Grand Prix (CDN) was a small class but there were riders with considerable Grand Prix experience, the top three places went to three ladies who are relatively new to competing at this level. First place went to Alexis Hellyer (NSW) on Waca W, second went to Alexandra Berns (QLD) on Kings Legend and third went to Emma Flavelle (QLD) on Andiamo.

Whilst it’s always great to see the Big Tour horses showcasing the higher collected movements such as Piaffe and Passage it is also just as pleasurable to watch the Advanced and Small Tour horses. Today offered a great opportunity to do just that. There were numerous horse and rider combinations that made it look easy – their transitions were fluid, their rhythm was consistent and there were no obvious signs of resistance. All these combined made it a joy to watch. It also made you realise what a mammoth leap it is from this level to Grand Prix.

The Mulawa Performance Intermediate I competition was always going to be a battle of the best. There were at least 10 combinations which had the potential to achieve the highest score. Jayden Brown (QLD) on Furst Friedrich was first to go and set the bar high with a score of 69.105. Soon after, Tor Van Den Berge (QLD) on Cheryl O’Brien’s stallion Lauries As entered the arena. The power and impulsion of this horse seems to have increased considerably over the last year. As a result they did a super test which put them in the lead by only .25 of a point. These two combinations maintained that position for quite a while until Matthew Dowsley (NSW), on Flavio (owned by Linda and Beau Dowsett) entered the arena. Matthew has this amazing ability to get the horse focused and on the aids. The precision and expression was impressive. Matthew scored 69.447. The last combination of the class was Queensland rider, Nicole Tough, on the very elegant grey gelding, Dante (also owned by the Dowsett family). This combination is renowned for their amazing partnership. Except for a minor glitch which only a trained eye would see, Nicole and Dante made it look easy as they seamlessly moved from movement to movement. This was enough to put them on top of the dais with a score of 70.158.

The International Racehorse Transport (IRT) Advanced Championship was similar as the Inter I in regards to the high quality of horse and rider. Victoria Welch (QLD) on the Australian bred mare, Glogau, won the Advanced 5B with a score of 71.000. Second went to Lesley-Anne Taylor (NSW) on Amicelli Gold (68.455) and third went to Teresa Grills (NSW) on the leggy Ecclesbourne (67.602). The winner of the Advanced 5C was Lesley-Anne Taylor on Amicelli Gold (68.070), second was Heath Ryan on Johnny Depp (67.895) and third went to Deon Stokes from Western Australia on the stallion Bellario (67.544). Bellario is owned by Kate Barton. As a result of the two competitions it was Lesley-Anne Taylor that was awarded the IRT Advanced Champion.

From midday, the indoor arena hosted the main class of the day – the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI-W. From early on in the class, David Shoobridge (NSW) and his Rubenstein stallion, 00 Seven, took the lead with a score of 66.787. It took Queensland rider Sheridyn Ashwood and her talented stallion, Prestige VDL, to change this. Although there were a couple of mistakes, they still managed to achieve a score of 67.021. The second last horse and rider combination, Maree Tomkinson from Victoria and her electric mare Diamantina IV, rode an incredibly expressive test which was enough to pip Sheridyn at the post, scoring 67.298.

Last but certainly not least, the Riders Shoppe Young Horse Qualifier for 6 year-old-horses commenced at 2pm. Everyone was interested to see if Jayden Brown and San Andreas (who impressively won the Novice Championships) would also win this class. Well, there were no surprises. Jayden and San Andreas won with a core of 8.420. Second went to Fiona McNaught (VIC) on Sentiment (7.900) and third went to Rachel Mclellan on Kinnordy Daudet, scoring 7.860.

After seeing the quality of horses and riders in the competitions today, it can be nearly guaranteed that the last two days will be just as enjoyable. If you look at the winners of each competition so far, it looks as though Queensland and New South Wales are neck to neck. I wonder what tomorrow will bring.

Day 1 – Thursday

With the hype of the recent London Olympics still in the air, day one of the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships started with a generous amount of enthusiasm. It was great to see Olympian, Mary Hanna, back on home turf and watching some of the Novice competitors. We knew the competition was going to be hot but what we didn’t know is that the temperature was also heating up – it ended up being the first seriously hot day for spring. For a lot of the horse and rider combinations from the southern states of Australia, this meant a change to their normal preparation.

Thankfully, there were only three competitions scheduled for day 1 – the EJ & Co Novice 2C, the Birds Equisports Novice 2D and the Equestrian NSW Intermediate II. The Novice classes were outside and the Inter II was in the indoor. With thirty five competitors in the Novice the second half were riding in temperatures around the mid-thirties.

Although there were a number of quality tests, the battle for the Novice Champion ended up being between Queensland rider, Jayden Brown, on San Andrea owned by Beau Dowsett, Judy Dierks on Highlight Australia owned by Janelle Duffy, Emma Flavelle on Cabaret C owned by Caitlin Cullen and Linda Foster on Neversfelde Samiro. All four riders scored over 70% for both Novice tests but it was Jayden Brown on the very impressive mover San Andreas who stole the show. While checking the score board you could hear comments on what a beautifully ridden test it was. This great combination won the 2C with a score of 77.656 and the 2D, scoring 76.810. Definitely a horse to watch out for in the future.

As the indoor arena was a few degrees cooler, the Intermediate II, attracted most of the spectators. By 4pm all the 22 riders had completed their test. Seventeen of the riders broke the 60% mark but it was Heath Ryan from, NSW on his proven stallion, Regardez Moi, who won the competition with a score of 65.237. Gitte Donvig from Victoria on her handsome gelding, Port Said 10, came second and Queensland rider, Alexandra Berns on her Australian bred Warmblood, Kings Legend, came third.

The temperature for the second day of the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships is meant to be about 10 degrees cooler which will make it nearly perfect for riders, horses and, of course, the spectators. Tomorrow’s program will kick off at 8.30am and the highlight of the day will be the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI-W starting around 11.30. The top fifteen riders of this competition will qualify for the Hamilton Island Grand prix Freestyle CDI-W which will be held on Saturday evening.

Tickets available at the entrance daily. Plenty of seating available for Saturday and Saturday evening.

All information and results can be found at www.dressagensw.com.au/nationals.

Photo Courtesy of Equestrian Australia by Franz Venhaus – Maree Tomkinson on Diamantina IV

We’re looking for an experienced marketeer to join our Markeing Committee at this pivotal time for the sport. If you have a love of dressage and a passion for marketing, the voluteer role could be the ideal way to channel your experience to help move dressage forward.

Role descritption:-
The Marketing Committee is a sub-committee of the Board of British Dressage and is appointed by the Board to supervise the whole area of marketing relating to British Dressage. The committee comprises volunteer members and marketing staff from British Dressage headquarters.

The role involves:-
• Being part of one of the sport’s fundamental committees which impacts on all areas of the sport
• Helping to capitalise on the opportunities presented by a successful London 2012 – growth, participation, sponsorship, new markets, etc.
• Planning and executing a marketing strategy in areas of the sport with particular focus on membership and communications
• Formulating and recommending marketing policy issues to the BD Board
• Setting policy and guidelines on all aspects of BD marketing and communications.

Relevant skills, experience and attributes:-
• Good working knowledge of marketing, sponsorship and communications. Specialist skills such as CRM database marketing, branding and commercial/merchandise experience would be a welcome addition to the committee.
• Creativity and vision
• Great team worker – you’ll be part of a varied team
• Computer literacy (and access to a computer) – most communications are by email
• Masses of enthusiasm for marketing, and for the sport of dressage, although the latter is not essential
• Enough time available.

Term of service:-
The role is voluntary and all reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. We hold 4 – 6 meetings per year, usually at BD HQ in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire but there may be additional support required at major shows and conventions. All Committee roles are subject to a maximum length of two consecutive terms of four years, therefore a representative may serve up to eight years in one role.

Interested? Send a cv and covering letter to: Winnie Murphy, BD Marketing and Communications Manager, British Dressage, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2RJ or email. If you have any questions, please phone 02476 698842. Closing date: 30 November 2012.

Committee Vacancies:

Are you experience in the Marketing, Coaching or Youth Development sector? Would you like to put something back in to the sport of Dressage whislt broadening you own CV and experience? If so, we’d like to speak to about some great voluntary opportunities that are currently available.

British Dressage is divided in to eight regions which are overseen by the Regional Development Officer who is employed by BD. Within each region there is also a Regional Committee of volunteers supported by the Regional Chair (who is also a volunteer).
The Regional committees shares a passion for the sport of Dressage and delivers a wide variety of training opportunites through a large part of the country. The voluntarycommittees have a professional outlook, are dynamic, intersting and experienced in their own fields. Each committee member has a great deal of enthusiasm, drive and energy which enables the continual development of the Regions. The committee is willing to make an inpact both within British Dressage and to those considering joining British Dressage. The Regional committees and British Dressage prides itself on working as a team.
As part of the regional committee you will be required to not only attend regional meetings (2 -3 times per year) there are also 2 National Regional Representative meetings at Stoneligh Park. Regional representatives are the voice of members within their region and communication is of paramount.
Current Vacancies:
Northern Region:
British Young Rider Development Scheme Representative
Central & Wales Regions:
Rider Training Representative
Wales Region:
Marketing Representative

For further details about each region and the above vacancies please go to Regional Activities and the relevant region or contact the Regional Development Officer.

(British Dressage) – Britain’s young riders were on great form last weekend at the Biarritz CDI3*/YH/J/Y/P with the union flag featuring in the placings on a number of occasions. Five riders with six horses made the journey to South Eastern France for the Pony, Junior and Young Rider team, individual and freestyle competitions.

2012 Young Professional Award winner Alex Hardwick’s season continues on a high and a win on the first day in the Young Rider team test cemented it as one of her best years so far. Riding Rotspon’s Rockin (pictured), whom she joint owns with mum Sally, Alex won an extremely tight contest with just less than 0.3% separating the top three with a final score of 67.84%. With her second horse, Donauwein, she was fourth with 66.81%. In the individual test, despite cracking tests from both horses, Alex had to settle for second with 69.60% with Rotspon’s Rockin behind Switzerlands’s Estelle Wettstein with Le Primeur. Donauwein was again fourth but with an improved mark of 67.23%. Alex took Rotspon’s Rockin forward to the freestyle and again settled for runners up position behind Estelle with the French rider winning with some great artistic scores in the high 70% region. Alex finished with 70.27% – with one judge having her first – but to achieve a plus 70% in international competition is always a great accomplishment.

In a small but competitive Junior section, our riders certainly held their own. Chloe Vell caught many eyes at the recent Espayo National Championships with her win in the Suregrow Advanced Medium Restricted Championship riding Kaja di Valentina and a second in the team test for the combination showed they’re still on form. The other British junior was Sarah Thomas riding her own Marinetty TSF and a score on day one of 63.81% gave them third meaning we had two podium finishers. On day two, it was a reversal of placings with Sarah coming out second and Chloe third – neither could come close to Jasmien de Koeyer from the Netherlands who dominated with a 71.47%. Only Sarah went forward to the freestyle and it was second again with 64.37%.

In the Pony competition, Rebecca Bell, riding her mother Caroline’s mare Valido’s Sunshine, and Robyn Smith with Siepke’s Celtic, owned by mum Gail, both produced some great tests in an international field of 14 riders from 6 nations. In the team Test, Rebecca finished sixth on a strong 68.33% – with one judge having her second on 71.92%. Robyn was just behind in seventh with 67.51%. In the individual competition, Rebecca and Valido’s Sunshine put the previous test experience to good use and managed to go one place better into fifth with 68.29% while Robyn was seventh with a slightly improved mark of 67.95%. In the final freestyle, Rebecca managed a podium finish as well as breaking the 70% barrier with a 71.05% to finish third behind riders from France and Switzerland.

To download a pdf of the results, click here.

Britain’s young riders were on great form last weekend at the Biarritz CDI3*/YH/J/Y/P with the union flag featuring in the placings on a number of occasions. Five riders with six horses made the journey to South Eastern France for the Pony, Junior and Young Rider team, individual and freestyle competitions.

2012 Young Professional Award winner Alex Hardwick’s season continues on a high and a win on the first day in the Young Rider team test cemented it as one of her best years so far. Riding Rotspon’s Rockin (pictured), whom she joint owns with mum Sally, Alex won an extremely tight contest with just less than 0.3% separating the top three with a final score of 67.84%. With her second horse, Donauwein, she was fourth with 66.81%. In the individual test, despite cracking tests from both horses, Alex had to settle for second with 69.60% with Rotspon’s Rockin behind Switzerlands’s Estelle Wettstein with Le Primeur. Donauwein was again fourth but with an improved mark of 67.23%. Alex took Rotspon’s Rockin forward to the freestyle and again settled for runners up position behind Estelle with the French rider winning with some great artistic scores in the high 70% region. Alex finished with 70.27% – with one judge having her first – but to achieve a plus 70% in international competition is always a great accomplishment.

In a small but competitive Junior section, our riders certainly held their own. Chloe Vell caught many eyes at the recent Espayo National Championships with her win in the Suregrow Advanced Medium Restricted Championship riding Kaja di Valentina and a second in the team test for the combination showed they’re still on form. The other British junior was Sarah Thomas riding her own Marinetty TSF and a score on day one of 63.81% gave them third meaning we had two podium finishers. On day two, it was a reversal of placings with Sarah coming out second and Chloe third – neither could come close to Jasmien de Koeyer from the Netherlands who dominated with a 71.47%. Only Sarah went forward to the freestyle and it was second again with 64.37%.

In the Pony competition, Rebecca Bell, riding her mother Caroline’s mare Valido’s Sunshine, and Robyn Smith with Siepke’s Celtic, owned by mum Gail, both produced some great tests in an international field of 14 riders from 6 nations. In the team Test, Rebecca finished sixth on a strong 68.33% – with one judge having her second on 71.92%. Robyn was just behind in seventh with 67.51%. In the individual competition, Rebecca and Valido’s Sunshine put the previous test experience to good use and managed to go one place better into fifth with 68.29% while Robyn was seventh with a slightly improved mark of 67.95%. In the final freestyle, Rebecca managed a podium finish as well as breaking the 70% barrier with a 71.05% to finish third behind riders from France and Switzerland.

To download a pdf of the results, click here.

Photo Courtesy of British Dressage by Marilyne Manane – Alex Hardwick

(USDF) – The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Michael Poulin and Ravel will be inducted into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame (HOF) at the Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet, on December 8, 2012, during the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in New Orleans, LA. Induction into the HOF is an honor bestowed on horses and individuals that have made outstanding contributions to the sport of dressage in the United States.
Michael Poulin has shown a lifelong commitment to furthering dressage, and dressage education, in the U.S. He has been a well known and successful competitor, trainer, instructor and judge. Part of the U.S. bronze medal team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Michael rode 1997 Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame Inductee Graf George, and shared the limelight with one of his students, Carol Lavell. Michael was instrumental in the founding of the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program and founded The Dressage Foundation’s “Advanced Young Rider Olympic Dream Program”. An FEI 4*/I and USEF “S” Judge, Michael has also served, and continues to serve, in various volunteer roles within several equine organizations, including USDF, USEF and The Dressage Foundation.
Ravel, a 14 year-old, dark bay, Dutch Warmblood gelding has awed crowds nationally, and internationally, since he entered the competition arena in 2008, with his rider Steffen Peters. Akiko Yamazaki and her husband, Jerry Yang, purchased Ravel in 2006 from Tim Coomans, Netherlands, with the goal of Ravel being Steffen’s mount at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The pair went on to meet that goal, representing the U.S. at the Beijing Games and placing fourth individually. In 2009, Ravel and Peters took first at the Rolex FEI World Cup, beating out nine-time World Champion Anky van Grunsven. Later that same year, the pair went on to write history once more by placing first in all three tests at CDIO Aachen. This was the first time an American combination had ever achieved this feat. Ravel’s list of accomplishments also includes being named the 2009 USEF Farnam/Platform Horse of the Year; 2010 Chronicle of the Horse’s Horse of the Year; 2009, 2010 and 2011 Adequan/USDF Grand Prix Horse of the Year; individual bronze medalist at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and competing in the 2012 Olympics in London.
USDF President George Williams said, “It is a real pleasure, this year, to be honoring two Olympians. One is a horseman and the other a horse. Even though their Olympic debuts were sixteen years apart, they have a lot in common. Not only were their contributions to the sport in the U.S. outstanding, but each of them had an impact on the international scene as well. Both continue to inspire us, as they have shown what can be achieved through hard work, talent and generosity.”
For more information about the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, visit the USDF website at www.usdf.org, or contact the USDF office at halloffame@usdf.org.

Wellington, FL-October 24, 2012- The November 1 opening date for entries for the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge will soon be upon us, and you won’t want to miss out on this Great American/USDF qualifying competition while helping those less fortunate in the community.

The Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge, produced by Wellington Classic Dressage and scheduled for December 8-9 at the Palm Beach County Equestrian Center, features classes for everyone.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Level 2 Competition offers
United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Introductory Level to Musical Freestyles, USEF First through Fourth Levels, and Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Prix St. Georges (PSG) through Grand Prix as well as FEI Musical Freestyles and FEI Five- and Six-Year Old Tests.

Participants and spectators are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy or check donation for Toys for Tots to help spread holiday cheer this season.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to jumpstart your show season while helping a great organization,” show organizer Noreen O’Sullivan of Wellington Classic Dressage said. “Toys for Tots, sponsored by the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve, collects and distributes toys to less fortunate children in the community and we want to support that effort.”

For more information about the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge, log onto www.wellingclassicdressage.com or contact Noreen O’Sullivan at Wellington Classic Dressage at nosullivan@wellingtonclassicdressage.com at
(561) 227-1570.

To contact Show Secretary Ann Hart, call (561) 685-3916 or ashbrookfarm@hotmail.com.

For more information about how you can help Toys for Tots, log onto www.toysfortots.org.

For a copy of the Show Omnibus, go to http://www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com/2012/holiday_challenge.pdf

(USEF) – The first of two USEF Elite Youth Dressage Training Sessions for 2012 wrapped up Sunday at Shannondale Farm in Alpharetta, Georgia. The two-day training session, made possible by a generous donation from Kristen McDonald and the Marquis George MacDonald Foundation, was led by USEF Dressage Youth Coach Jeremy Steinberg. The invitation-only session included eight of the top youth dressage riders from the East and Central U.S., and was an opportunity for Steinberg to work directly with a core group of promising riders. The training session included two days of instruction as well as lectures and discussions on long term strategic planning, media training, championship selection procedures, and USEF rules.

“Kristen and the Marquis George MacDonald Foundation generously created a great opportunity for the country’s rising dressage talent to hone their talents both on and off the horse,” said Steinberg. “These sessions provide a productive environment where we aim to grow this core group of up-and-coming youth riders and assist them in having successful careers in the sport.”

Riders in the first training session included:
Caroline Adams, Lafayette, LA
Kalie Beckers, Independence, LA
Kaitlin Blythe, Rougemont, NC
Rebecca Cohen, Wellington, FL
Lindsey Holleger, Whigham, GA
Mallory Kent, Birmingham, AL
Rebekah Mingari, Crestwood, KY
Tori Retamoza, Goshen, KY

Invitations to the training sessions are based on average scores from the 2012 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North and the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions. Additionally, several discretionary spots are awarded to riders who are scouted through the USDF Youth Clinic Series or by USEF Coaches. The next USEF Elite Youth Dressage Training Session will take place November 3-4, 2012, at W Farms in Chino Hills, California. This session will be open to auditors who must be registered with W Farms. For more information please contact Hallye Griffin, USEF Director of National Dressage at hgriffin@usef.org.

Photo Courtesy of USEF by Carol Cohen – USEF Dressage Youth Coach Jeremy Steinberg with Rebecca Cohen at the training session.

(FEI by Louise Parkes) – Dutch riders claimed the first two places in the opening leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2012/2013 series at Odense in Denmark today where defending champions, Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival, scored a convincing victory.

Edward Gal, series champion in 2010 with Totilas, lined up second with Blue Hors Romanov while Danish riders filled the next two places. Anna Kasprzak, at 22 years of age the youngest competitor in today’s Freestyle, pipped the considerably more experienced partnership of Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and Digby when slotting into third, while Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello lined up fifth for Sweden.

It was an exciting test from Cornelissen whose career highlights include back-to-back Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage titles in 2011 and 2012, double gold at the 2011 European Championships, and individual silver at this summer’s Olympic Games in London, all partnering the chestnut gelding who, at 15 years of age, still sparkles.

Today’s result was all the more remarkable for the fact that the 33 year old Dutch rider is altering her riding technique. Prompted by the words of Olympic Ground Jury President, Great Britain’s Stephen Clarke, who said after she finished behind British gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin at Greenwich Park this summer that Parzival needed to show “more lightness and self-carriage” in order to beat Dujardin’s ride, Valegro, Cornelissen is working on just that. And, as she pointed out today, “it’s getting better and better, and it feels really amazing!”

Winning Score

In yesterday’s preliminary Grand Prix, Cornelissen and Parzival’s winning scoreline left them just over three percentage points ahead of Kasprzak and Donnperignon with Gal and Blue Hors Romanov taking third. Today however their winning margin was far greater.

The surprise package of the Freestyle was the impressive opening performance from Joachim Thomson and the 10 year old bay gelding Akeem Foldager who set a high standard when putting 75.150 on the board. Next in however, Norway’s Siril Helljesen decided to retire when her test with the 10 year old mare, Dorina, fell apart.

Denmark’s Sidsel Johansen raised the game considerably when taking the lead with a test that was bubbling with enthusiasm and a pleasure to watch. The 13 year old Schianto produced lovely extended trot during a performance that earned a mark of 77.300, but Cornelissen and Parzival put the result beyond doubt when, two horses later, they racked up a massive 88.175.

Miscommunications

They were not perfect all the way through, experiencing what the rider describes as “some miscommunications” on both days of competition. As Cornelissen explained, “I’m doing things a little differently, so of course sometimes Parzival doesn’t clearly understand yet. He says ‘what are you doing now?’, like going from passage to canter it is slightly different and he went into walk instead of canter. It takes time to make a change, but I’m really happy with him and how much relaxation he is showing”, she explained.

It is all a long way from the tense and worried gelding who, just a few short years ago, so often lost his nerve when under the spotlight. “He’s enjoying it so much more” the rider explained.

She had been planning to give Parzival a break when the Olympics were over, “but he didn’t like it, he hated it after a week of watching the other horses going out to do things – he wants to work and he loves the attention and the crowds these days, even the prize-giving!” she added.

Closest

It was her Dutch colleague, Gal, who came closest to her winning score today riding the Danish-owned Oldenburg stallion Romanov. Gal, who took over the ride a year ago, said the horse’s concentration is improving, and, like Cornelissen, he is targeting the second leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage series at Lyon, France and the fourth leg at Stockholm in Sweden over the coming weeks.

Kasprzak and her 13 year old Donnerhall gelding Donnperignon have thrown down a strong challenge to their Danish counterparts with their excellent third-place finish at today’s season-opener.

Cornelissen meanwhile has shown that a hat-trick of Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage titles is well within her reach. Parzival is retaining his power and presence despite the changes he is being asked to make, and is quickly adapting to his softer outline. He positively swaggered through his trademark passage/piaffe routine as his test drew to a close today. He may be learning to do it a bit differently, but he will still be the one to beat when it comes to the final in Gothenburg, Sweden next April.

For further information on the first leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2012/2013 series in Odense, Denmark check out website www.jbkhorseshows.dk or contact Press Officer, Christel Droeyer, at Email ck@jbkhorseshows.dk or Tel +45 292 686 26. The next leg takes place at Lyon, France on Friday 2 November 2012. For details on the French fixture check out website www.equitalyon.com or contact Press Officer Pascal Renauldon, Email p.renauldon@rbpresse.com or Tel +33 (0) 608 759407.

Result: 1, Jerich Parzival (Adelinde Cornelissen) NED 88.175; 2, Blue Hors Romanov (Edward Gal) NED 80.650; 3, Donnperignon (Anna Kasprzak) DEN 77.825; 4, Digby (Nathalie zu Sayn–Wittgenstein) DEN 77.600; 5, Don Auriello (Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven) SWE 77.375; 6, Schianto (Sidsel Johansen) DEN 77.300; 7, Dablino FRH (Anabel Balkenhol) GER 75.625; 8, Akeem Foldager (Joachim Thomson) DEN 75.150; 9, Elvia VA (Nadine Capellmann) GER 74.800; 10, Uzzo (Patrick van der Meer) NED 74.675; 11, BMC Miciano (Marlies van Ballen) NED 72.800; 12, Furst Khevenhuller (Helen Langehanenberg) GER 72.075; 13, Donnerfee (Claudia Fassaert) 66.475; 14, Ferdi (Maria von Essen) SWE 61.250; 15, Dorina (Siril Helljesen) NOR Ret. Full results at www.scgvisual.com

Facts and Figures:

This is the third season of sponsorship by New York fashion designer, Reem Acra, who recently confirmed the extension of her support for FEI World Cup™ Dressage for another three-year period, bringing it up to 2016.

Today’s competition was the first of 8 qualifying rounds in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2011/2012 series.
The Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage series final will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden, 24-28 April 2013.

The panel of Judges today was : At E, Gustav Svalling (SWE); At H, Raphael Saleh (FRA); At C, Leif Tornblad (DEN); At M, Peter Holler (GER); At B, Hans Christian Matthiesen) DEN.

Princess Benedikte of Denmark attended today’s event.

Riders from four different leagues – Western European, Central European, North American and Asian/Pacific – compete in the FEI World Cup™ Dressage qualifying rounds.
Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2011/2012 – Standings after Round 1 at Odense (DEN):

1. Marcela Krinke Susmelj (SUI) – 30

2. Edward Gal (NED) – 20
2. Marlies van Baalen (NED) – 20
2. Stefen Peter (AUT) – 20
5. Anette Christenson (SWE) – 17
5. Anna Kasprzak (DEN) – 17
5. Pia Fortmuller (CAN) – 17
5. Sebastien Duperdu (FRA) – 17
5. Valentina Truppa (ITA) – 17
10. Arnaud Serre (FRA) – 15
10. Karin Kosak (AUT) – 15
10. Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein (DEN) – 15
10. Yassine Rahmouni) MAR – 15

Photo Courtesy of FEI by Annette Boe Ostergaard