Tiny tots big draw in pony dressage competition
Young riders had a field day riding good dressage ponies while Victorian showjumpers had a practice run at Boneo Park before the state titles event.
CHRIS Hartigan and her late husband, Gary, started the Australian Pony Owners and Breeders Dressage Day 20 years ago, a time when ponies in dressage were laughed at.
How things have changed and, in many ways, this event has been responsible.
Pony dressage is now taken very seriously, with imported ponies competing, and specialist breeders producing some spectacular ponies at open championship competition.
The event has always catered for top level competition and grown-up age riders who want to compete on ponies, who are finding that riding good dressage ponies is far easier than dealing with giant Warmbloods.
Charlotte Pennefather — now aged 14 — started out in the Tiny Tots section and has become successful at open Equestrian Australia competition. She rode the Advanced championship, Mithril Kismet at this event.
Chris Hartigan said: “Seriously is what this comp is all about and makes it special for me personally.
“Many of our earlier competitors are now riding successfully at the higher levels and hopefully some of our little people that competed today will have that same success in their future.”
The Tiny Tots classes remain crowd favourites with the champion in the 10 years and under group.
Leroy Rogers riding Rylea Curmi and tiny four-year-old Grace McOwn on her Miniature pony Indi smiling her way through her test, led by her mum Nicole for an equal first place.
The Medium test champion was Rockfields Choccolata ridden by Jodie Barton, Elementary, Grantulla Leviathan and Alexandra Parratt, Novice, Monteith Brunton ridden by Morgan Cockerell.
In the Preliminary level, the Preliminary, rider 16 years and under, Chesapeake Park Paparazzi, Amelia McDougall, Preliminary Open Division two, Mithril Brae Bobby Sox and Keely Goggin and the Preliminary Open, Division three, Westbury Saladin, Kristy Sparks.
The Jaime Stroud Memorial Sash Award for the Best Score for rider 16 years and under went to 11-year-old Morgan Cockerell, winner of the Novice Championship.
— FRAN CLELAND
FINAL TEST FOR RIDERS BEFORE STATE SHOWJUMPING TITLES
VICTORIAN showjumping riders took advantage of a final hit out at Boneo Park before next week’s Victorian State Showjumping titles.
Boneo Park ran three days of competition across two rings offering classes from 1.45m down to 65cm catering for a large number of riders of all abilities.
Course designer Gavin Chester built some tough but inviting tracks to test both the horses and riders.
Swedish rider Frida Lindgren rode her Ashleigh City Lights to win the 1.45m championship. Only three horses jumped clear in the first round over a difficult track but it was Lindgren who finished on top from Robert Palm and Jaybee Vibrant.
Brook Dobbin had his usual large team of horses at the competition and he certainly didn’t disappoint. Dobbin, riding Gabriel MVNZ, won the open 1.40m speed class beating second placed Ally Lamb and Eagle Rock by a convincing four seconds.
In the open 1.35m jump off class Dobbin took three of the first four placings.
Riding Miranda MVNZ Dobbin jumped double clear to win the class from his second ride Gina MVNZ. Gabriel MVNZ took fourth place.
The 1.25m speed class was won by Jamie Ellis riding Centaur MVNZ from local rider Amanda Ross and RLE Cavalier Vivendi.
Georgia Price had a very successful weekend with her team of horses including riding Fairbanks Lulu to jump double clear and win the 1.30m jump off class from Frida Lindgren and Van Damme.
Susie Willis rode her Commander in a super quick time to win the 1.35m speed class from Amanda Leyshan and Viva Unique.
Busy horse breaker and pre trainer Robert Palm gave the racehorses the day off to ride Halcyons Total Joy to win the 1.25m jump off class from Philip Lever and BP Jedak Du Rouet.
Teagan Chester and Callista continued recent good form to win the 1.15m speed class from Mark Lindh and Seute Deern.
The 1.10m jump off class saw Jess Kiernan and Cera Cascaletto jump a great double clear round to take the class from nearly 60 competitors.
Other winners across the weekend included Chris Height, Murray Lamperd, Cassie Palm, Teagan Huitson, Hannah Conlan and Alice Lawrence.
— LIZ RICHARDSON
EARLY TASTE OF WERRIBEE PARK COURSE AT AUTUMN SHOW
WERRIBEE Park National Equestrian Centre is in full preparation for next week’s Victorian Showjumping Titles so the Melbourne Showjumping Club took the opportunity to run their Autumn Show and offer riders a great warm-up at the venue.
Riders had the chance to jump on the newly installed Martin Collins all weather surface which was given a resounding thumbs-up by all.
International course designer David Sheppard also had an opportunity to build on the new arena for the first time and as usual provided competitors with rideable but testing tracks.
Russell Johnstone has a team of young Grand Prix horses and it was the imported mare Cantara that stepped up to jump double clear and win the 1.35m jump-off class from Sue Coman and Lizetta.
Both combinations jumped the only double clear rounds with Johnstone almost four seconds quicker.
Tori Stuckey rode her very well performed Finch Farm Cab Sav to jump a super fast round and win the 1.30m speed class by over a second from Kristy Howarth and Ultra Blue NZPH.
The 1.25m jump-off class saw a great win to Phil Stephens riding his home-bred Baluce from Jena Bloomfield and Warnie.
Robert Agnew rode his L H Beckham to win the 1.20m speed class once again relegating Jena Bloomfield and Warnie to second place.
The 1.15m jump-off class was won by Daniel Weidenbach riding Manuka MVNZ. This combination jumped a fast double clear to take the class from Des Gleeson and Mingarra Vonbella.
Amelia Tsilfidis riding Pride of Gold won the 1.10m speed class from Lachie Wake and Byron.
— LIZ RICHARDSON
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